Top Players Withdraw from Canadian Open: Why the ATP Tour Calendar Is Out of Sync
The current ATP Tour calendar is leaving top players no choice but to skip events like the upcoming Canadian Open, according to several experts. Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Jannik Sinner have all confirmed their absence from the tournament. The reason? It’s too long. Players say the extended season exhausts them.
“I do think that it’s not only the placement in the calendar,” tennis star Andrea Petkovic said on The Big T Podcast, “it’s that the men do play three, four weeks longer.” She explains how this prolonged schedule has made top athletes choose between rest and peak form.
The women’s tour ends after November with much shorter breaks compared to the men’s eight-week marathon.Players are also affected by back-to-back events that last two weeks each, leading to exhaustion. “The best players like Jannik and Novak will think: who are all the players I need to play against if I want to see where my form is at before the US Open? That’s Cincinnati,” explained Petkovic.
Why Longer Schedules Affect Player Form
The men's ATP Tour features Davis Cup and the ATP Finals at season-end, making it longer than the WTA. This extended period leaves athletes with limited opportunities to recuperate properly before tournaments like the US Open, affecting their overall performance.
Top Players and Major Challenges
Players are also facing significant issues in competing back-to-back two-week events without adequate rest. For example, Alex de Minaur believes there’s no need for him to rush back from Australia for Cincinnati when he plans to play with Katie Boulter at the US Open.
Jannik Sinner has defended his decision to miss Canadian Open alongside top stars like Novak Djokovic, who has yet to name his upcoming tournament.Frequently Asked Questions
Why are top players skipping the Canadian Open?
Top players are skipping the event due to an extended ATP Tour schedule that exhausts them and impacts their form for critical tournaments like the US Open.
When will the men's tour schedule change?
No concrete timeline has been announced, though there is increased pressure on the ATP Tour to reevaluate its calendar.