Sinner and Djokovic skip Canadian Open as tournament chief demands schedule reform

Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic have both pulled out of the Canadian Open, prompting the tournament director to demand systemic changes to what he described as a 'demanding schedule' for elite players. According to the BBC, the withdrawals underscore the physical toll of consecutive high-level events in the men's professional calendar. Sinner, Italy's leading player and a major contender for Grand Slam titles, has become a frequent absentee from Masters 1000 tournaments as the season intensifies.

The Italian's pattern of selective tournament play reflects a broader tension in professional tennis: the calendar's density leaves top players choosing between rest and competition at events below the Grand Slams and year-end finals. The BBC's reporting suggests the Canadian Open director views the schedule itself as the culprit, not the players' commitment. This argument carries weight in a sport where injury prevention and peak performance at the four majors often override secondary tournament participation.