The Canadian Open 2026 begins tomorrow in Montreal without its three biggest stars. Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have all withdrawn from the Masters 1000 event running from August 1 to 13 at IGA Stadium, leaving Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime as the top favorites.
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Three withdrawals that reshape the draw
Sinner, the world number one and reigning Wimbledon champion after his four-set victory over Zverev on July 12, chose to prioritize rest. "We have made the difficult decision to withdraw from Montreal," the Italian said, explaining his desire to protect his health ahead of the second half of the American swing. The man with six consecutive Masters 1000 titles this season, seven since late 2025, is not willing to extend an already demanding schedule.
Djokovic, 39 years old and a 24-time Grand Slam champion, had reached the Wimbledon semifinals before falling to Sinner in three sets. The Serbian cited a groin injury as the reason for his withdrawal. As for Alcaraz, the world number three has not competed since withdrawing from Barcelona in April, still hampered by a wrist injury.
Jack Draper, ranked fifth in the world, rounds out the list of absentees. The Briton has been dealing with a left arm injury sustained after Wimbledon, which had already forced him to withdraw from the DC Open last week.
Zverev and Auger-Aliassime inherit favorite status
With this cascade of withdrawals, Zverev inherits the top seed. The Wimbledon finalist, defeated by Sinner in the final, already has two Masters 1000 titles this year and will look to claim a third. The German, who won Roland Garros in June, arrives in Montreal in exceptional form and stands as the logical favorite in a depleted draw. A maiden Canadian Open title would send a strong signal with the US Open just six weeks away.
Auger-Aliassime, the second seed, will enjoy the support of the Montreal crowd as he looks to shine at his home tournament. The Quebecer, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist, has the form and motivation to make a deep run. He has never advanced past the quarterfinals at the Canadian Open, a paradox for the local favorite who dreams of breaking that curse.
The two-week format remains under fire
Tennis Canada's decision to schedule the tournament three weeks after the Wimbledon final, up from two weeks in 2025, has not been enough to retain the top stars. The expanded two-week format for Masters 1000 events, introduced in 2025, continues to divide opinion. Players point to an overloaded calendar that forces them to sacrifice tournaments in order to protect their physical well-being.
The simultaneous absence of the top three players in the world is a blow for organizers and fans alike, but it also creates rare opportunities. Players such as Holger Rune, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud will have the chance to make a deep run at a Masters 1000 event, something that seldom happens when the top three are all present. The tournament will be played on outdoor hard courts, with Montreal hosting the men's event this year while Toronto hosts the women's draw.
Key numbers heading into the tournament
Sinner has won five Grand Slam titles at just 24 years of age. Zverev, 29, holds one Grand Slam title (Roland Garros 2026) and has amassed 28 wins across all surfaces in 2026. Auger-Aliassime, 25, will look to advance past the quarterfinals at the Canadian Open for the first time, a goal that has become an obsession for the hometown favorite.
