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Sinner pulls out of Montreal as Canadian Open faces another blow
Sinner will miss Montreal, ending his bid for a clean sweep of all nine Masters 1000 titles in 2026.
Jannik Sinner will not have the chance to make history in 2026 by becoming the first player to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles in a single season. The world No. 1 has confirmed that he will skip next month’s Canadian Open.
Sinner has been almost untouchable across the early Masters 1000 events of the year, lifting trophies in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome. His Rome title also made him only the second man, after Novak Djokovic, to capture all nine Masters 1000 crowns at least once. A full sweep across one calendar year would have been an exceptional milestone, but that prospect is now gone.
The Italian was expected to arrive in Montreal as the clear favourite, yet he announced his withdrawal in a statement released by the ATP. “After carefully considering all the factors together with my team, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw from Montreal,” Sinner said.
“It is never easy to miss such an important event, but we believe this is the right decision to prioritise my health. I’m disappointed not to be there, but I look forward to returning to Montreal in the future.”
Djokovic has also pulled out of Canada, though that decision is less surprising given his reduced schedule and the fact that he has not played in Canada since 2018.
The withdrawals have added to a wider concern around the event’s place on the calendar. “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,” said Valérie Tétreault, Tournament Director of the National Bank Open in Montreal.
“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.”
Gavin Ziv, Chief Executive Officer of Tennis Canada, added: “As a national federation and the organizer of an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, we have a responsibility to advocate for the interests of tennis and the fans who support our event year after year,” said Ziv.
“We have already opened a dialogue with the ATP to explore solutions that would maximise the participation of the world’s top players in mandatory events. We are encouraged by the openness shown so far and hope these discussions will lead to concrete changes in the near future.”
With Sinner and Djokovic absent, Alexander Zverev is projected to be top seed in Canada, with Felix Auger-Aliassime seeded No. 2 and defending champion Ben Shelton at No. 3. Carlos Alcaraz had already ruled himself out, while the women’s draw has also lost Emma Raducanu, Karolina Muchova, Victoria Mboko and Jasmine Paolini.
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Zverev Arrives at Laver Cup With Europe’s Title Bid in Focus
Zverev arrives at the Laver Cup with Team Europe aiming to reclaim the trophy in London.
Alexander Zverev has already reached the Laver Cup as he continues a packed 2026 season, and his attention has quickly shifted to Team Europe’s attempt to reclaim the trophy.
The German has been a constant presence on the men’s tour this year, a run that has helped him take advantage of injuries to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. That consistency has also carried him to the biggest results of his career, with Zverev winning Roland Garros and the US Open to claim his first two Grand Slam titles. He is now close to Sinner’s world No 1 ranking.
For the moment, though, the Laver Cup is the immediate target. Team Europe were beaten by Team World at the 2025 event in San Francisco, and Zverev is determined to help put things right.
He has long been one of the event’s most familiar figures, and he explained why the format continues to appeal to him while practicing at the tournament.
Speaking during his practice sessions at the tournament, Zverev said: “I love the competition. I’ve been part of all the European teams that have won the Laver Cup.
“Of course, we want to bring the Laver Cup back to Europe and try to win it. I think we have the best players in the world here. It’s special to be on a team with them and to build a strong team. We will do everything to win this weekend.”
His record at the event helps explain that attachment. Since the Laver Cup began in 2017, Zverev has made seven appearances, more than any other player. He has won the competition five times, more than anyone else, and also owns the most singles wins, the most singles points and the most points overall.
Zverev’s career Laver Cup record stands at 9-7, a 56% winning rate. Over the years, he has shared the team environment with players such as Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz, and has beaten Frances Tiafoe and Milos Raonic in singles.
This year, he will line up alongside Alcaraz, Rafael Jodar, Casper Ruud, Jakub Mensik, and Flavio Cobolli under Yannick Noah and Tim Henman. Their opponents will be Team World, coached by Andre Agassi and Pat Rafter, with Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Learner Tien, Brandon Nakashima, Alexander Bublik, and Francisco Cerundolo in the squad.
The tournament is scheduled for The O2 Arena in London from September 25th to 27th, with singles and doubles matches spread across the weekend.
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Zverev’s breakthrough season rewrites a long-running story
Zverev’s breakthrough year has changed the narrative after Noah recalled his doubts and frustration.
Alexander Zverev has finally put an end to years of frustration by winning two Grand Slam titles in 2026, a development that left Yannick Noah reflecting on how uncertain the German once felt about ever getting there.
Zverev first lifted a major trophy at the French Open in June, then reinforced that achievement by beating Ben Shelton in the US Open final earlier this month. After so many seasons of falling short against Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, it had sometimes appeared that the next wave of champions, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, would keep the door closed as well.
Noah, who captained Team Europe at last year’s Laver Cup in San Francisco, said Zverev was not in a strong place mentally at the time. The German went on to lose the event’s decisive match to Taylor Fritz, and Noah suggested confidence was part of the issue.
“This guy tried so hard, kept coming back, you know, he’s coming up against Nadal, then he’s coming up against Djokovic and then he’s coming again and it’s Roger,” began Noah, speaking on an episode of the Off Court with Greg Rusedski podcast that will be released on Thursday.
“Then it’s Alcaraz and it’s Sinner, but he kept coming back and suddenly it’s paid off. I was really happy when he won the French Open and then so happy to see his face when he won the US Open. He was like a little child and he didn’t even know he had won at the end.”
Noah expanded on the mood he sensed during that Laver Cup campaign, describing a player who was battling frustration but never stopped pushing.
“Last year he was not in a good place because I could tell that he was getting a little frustrated,” stated the 1983 French Open champion.
“He was tired of trying too hard. But he just kept trying. I think he showed so much resilience over the ten years. He has been No 2, No 3 and he always kept trying. As a player, this is something that you have and as a coach, as a parent. You always say, keep trying, never give up, never give up. But sometimes it’s very hard.
“And it was very hard on Sascha. I got some quality time with him when I say, you know, keep trying, your time will come. But you’re not sure. You hope. You’re trying to be positive about this. You’re trying to be optimistic, but you don’t know.
“And then all of a sudden you when I see him win, when I saw him win the French, I was happy for him because he deserved it. He’s worked so hard for these moments.”
Zverev and Alcaraz now sit at the centre of Noah’s Team Europe plans for the Laver Cup in London, which begins on Friday as they aim to respond to last year’s loss to Team World.
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Alcaraz relishes London return and hails Zverev ahead of Laver Cup
Alcaraz returns to London at Laver Cup and praises Zverev as he continues his comeback.
Carlos Alcaraz has said he is ready to make up for lost time as he prepares for his first matches in London in 2026 at the Laver Cup this week, while also offering a striking verdict on one of his European team-mates.
The Spaniard was forced to sit out the grass-court swing in England, missing planned appearances at Queen’s Club and Wimbledon after suffering a wrist injury at the Barcelona Open in April. He returned at the US Open last month, a comeback that many viewed as a surprise, and produced five strong performances before falling in an epic quarter-final to Ben Shelton.
His next stop is Team Europe at the Laver Cup, where he will line up alongside newly crowned US Open champion Alexander Zverev. Zverev had previously praised Alcaraz as ‘amazing’ after they played together in an earlier edition of the event, but this time it was Alcaraz who returned the compliment.
“I agree that he is probably the best player in the world right now,” Alcaraz said of Zverev.
“Having him by my side and on our team, it’s going to be a great weapon to have and we are going to use it.
“I missed lifting the (Laver Cup) trophy last year, so I’m going to do whatever it takes this year.
“The US Open was a great test for me and I can’t wait to play here.”
Alcaraz was beaten by Team World’s Taylor Fritz in last year’s Laver Cup and has made clear that he wants to put that right if they meet again in London.
“He destroyed me last year,” added Alcaraz with a smile. “If I play against him, I will be down with it and I will be ready, for sure.
“It’s great to be back in London. I missed it this year, so it’s going to be the first time I am touching London this year, so I’m excited.
“It’s my first time playing at the 02 Arena and it feels great to be here. It’s a super beautiful stadium and I can’t wait to see it packed and hear the atmosphere from the people.”
Although Alcaraz has faced criticism for playing too many exhibition events, this year’s Laver Cup offers him a useful setting to continue his comeback after the wrist problem. The best-of-three format, with no ranking points on offer, should suit his return while the event also brings a significant appearance fee.
The competition begins on Friday and finishes with the final session at the 02 Arena on Sunday.
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