Montreal National Bank Open sees top tennis stars withdraw

By Ama Serwah — 24 July 2026 — 4 min read

Top Players Absent from Montreal Tournament

The National Bank Open in Montreal will proceed without several high-profile tennis players, as Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic have officially withdrawn from the tournament. Their absence follows that of Carlos Alcaraz, who was already confirmed to be missing the event. These withdrawals were confirmed by Tennis Canada on Friday, impacting the lineup for the ATP Masters 1000 tournament scheduled to run from August 1-13 at IGA Stadium.

Jannik Sinner, currently ranked as the world No. 1 and the reigning Wimbledon champion, cited health concerns as the reason for his decision. In a statement provided by Tennis Canada, Sinner explained, “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. I’m disappointed not to be there, but I look forward to returning to Montreal in the future.” Sinner previously won the 2023 edition of the tournament when it was held in Toronto, where he defeated Alexander Zverev in the final after overcoming Djokovic in the semifinal.

Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, also withdrew from the tournament. Unlike Sinner, Djokovic did not issue a public statement regarding his withdrawal. He last secured a victory at Canada’s top tennis tournament in 2016, also in Toronto. Djokovic reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in July, where his run was ended by Sinner. The 39-year-old has accumulated 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles throughout his career, including four at the National Bank Open.

The third significant withdrawal is Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 3, who continues his recovery from a wrist injury. This injury had previously forced him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon this year. The absence of these three players, who are considered major draws in men’s tennis, marks a notable change for the tournament.

Tournament Implications and Local Talent

With the withdrawals, Alexander Zverev is now expected to be the top seed for the National Bank Open. This shift also elevates Montreal’s Félix Auger-Aliassime to the second seed, making him the highest-seeded Canadian in the tournament’s history. Auger-Aliassime will compete without his longtime coach, Frédéric Fontang, following their separation after his loss to Djokovic in the Wimbledon quarterfinal.

The tournament will also feature local talent, as Gabriel Diallo, another Montreal native, has been granted a wild card into the main draw. Diallo is currently ranked as the 92nd player globally. The National Bank Open alternates between Montreal and Toronto annually for the men’s and women’s events. Last year, the women’s tournament at IGA Stadium was won by Canadian Victoria Mboko.

Tournament Director Valérie Tétreault expressed disappointment regarding the withdrawals. She stated, “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. We respect their decisions and understand that, with such a demanding schedule, players’ health must remain the priority.” Tétreault also highlighted a broader concern within the sport.

Tétreault added, “That said, we believe the frequency of these last-minute withdrawals in the last few years raises a broader issue for our sport. Masters 1000 events are among the flagship tournaments on the tour, and fans rightfully expect to see the world’s best compete. We are already in discussions with the ATP to ensure this matter receives serious consideration. We firmly believe adjustments are needed in the near future to better protect the integrity of our Masters 1000 events while remaining mindful of the realities players face.”

Looking Ahead

Both Sinner and Djokovic, along with Alcaraz, also missed the previous year’s event in Toronto. That tournament began just two weeks after Wimbledon. This year, tournament officials had anticipated fewer withdrawals, as the event is scheduled to start three weeks after the All England Club finals. Despite the current absences, there is a possibility that Sinner and Djokovic could return to action at the Cincinnati Open, with main-draw play commencing as the National Bank Open concludes, before the U.S. Open in late August.

The National Bank Open will take place at IGA Stadium at Jarry Park from August 1-13.