Overview
- The Canadian Open went ahead without Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, a repeat of high‑profile absences that organisers said damaged the event’s appeal.
- Tournament director Valérie Tétreault said a string of late withdrawals raises a broader issue for tennis and described the situation as urgent for the National Bank Open.
- Organisers held talks with an ATP executive during the event and were advised to write to the ATP board and raise the matter again at US Open meetings.
- Tétreault and commentators blame the expanded two‑week Masters format — increased draws from 56 to 96 and events lengthened to about 12 days — for compressing the calendar and encouraging players to skip tournaments.
- If the ATP does not act quickly organisers warn the event risks losing prestige and fan engagement, while players say the current calendar leaves them less time to rest and prepare for Grand Slams.