Montreal Masters 2026: World No 1 Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic Withdraw From National Bank Open
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and tennis legend Novak Djokovic have officially withdrawn from the National Bank Open in Montreal, confirmed on July 24, 2026. Sinner cited health concerns after his Wimbledon victory, while Djokovic's reasons remain undisclosed amid ongoing physical challenges. The ATP Masters 1000 event runs from August 1-13 at IGA Stadium.
The National Bank Open presented by Rogers, an ATP Masters 1000 event, has been dealt a significant blow with the last-minute withdrawals of reigning Wimbledon champion and World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, and 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic. The news, confirmed by Tennis Canada on Friday, July 24, 2026, has sent ripples through the tennis world, just as the prestigious tournament in Montreal's IGA Stadium prepares to kick off its main draw on August 2. French Open Becomes First Grand Slam to Offer Player Revenue Sharing Amid Ongoing Pay Disputes: Report.
Sinner, 24, cited the need to prioritize his health, stating, "After carefully considering all the factors together with my team, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw from Montreal. It is never easy to miss such an important event, but we believe this is the right decision to prioritize my health." The Italian recently captured his second consecutive Wimbledon title earlier this month but also faced physical challenges during his French Open campaign in May where he suffered an injury-hampered second-round exit. Djokovic, 39, did not provide a public statement regarding his withdrawal, but has been contending with ongoing physical issues, including a shoulder concern and a leg injury scare during his Wimbledon quarter-final earlier this month.
Tournament Impact and New Seeds
The absence of the top-ranked players is a major disappointment for organizers and fans alike. Valérie Tétreault, NBO Montreal Tournament Director, expressed frustration, noting, "We are obviously very disappointed that Jannik and Novak won't be joining us in Montréal this year, especially after they also withdrew from last year's tournament in Toronto." She added, "We respect their decisions and understand that, with such a demanding schedule, players' health must remain the priority."
With Sinner and Djokovic out, French Open champion and Wimbledon runner-up Alexander Zverev will now step up as the tournament's top seed. Canadian favourite Félix Auger-Aliassime will now be a leading contender. Adding to the list of high-profile absentees, seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz was already confirmed to miss the tournament as he continues to recover from a right wrist injury that sidelined him for the French Open and Wimbledon. Novak Djokovic Plays Basketball, Tennis Icon Sinks Three Straight 3-Pointers at Fan Event (Watch Video).
Tournament Schedule & Venue
The National Bank Open (men's event) takes place at the IGA Stadium in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Rounds | August 1, 2026 |
| Main Draw | August 2 – 13, 2026 |
Where to Watch the National Bank Open 2026
Tennis fans globally can still catch all the action, with comprehensive coverage available across various platforms:
| Region | TV Channels / Streaming Platforms |
|---|---|
| India | FanCode (streaming - complete ATP Tour coverage), Tennis TV (ATP - complete coverage) |
The withdrawals underscore the demanding nature of the ATP Tour schedule, particularly following the grass-court season and ahead of the US Open. While the field may have lost two of its biggest stars, the tournament promises intense competition as other top players vie for the Masters 1000 title.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 25, 2026 12:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
