The 2025 Canadian Open, officially known as the National Bank Open, is set to kick off this Monday. But despite its prestigious Masters 1000 status and a newly expanded singles draw of 96 players, this year’s edition will be noticeably lacking in star power. A total of ten top-tier players, including headline names Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, have opted out, casting a shadow over what should be one of the highlights of the North American hardcourt season.
Split across Toronto (men’s event) and Montreal (women’s event), the Canadian Open typically serves as a critical tune-up for the US Open. However, fans and organizers alike are feeling the sting of high-profile withdrawals. Both current World No.1s—Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka—will not be participating, citing fatigue and strategic rest ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year.
Jannik Sinner, who won the tournament two years ago, expressed his regret in a heartfelt statement. “I’m really disappointed to be missing the National Bank Open in Toronto, especially as I have such fond memories of playing in Canada,” he said. “Winning that title in Toronto two years ago was the start of a really special moment for me, but after speaking with my team, I have to prioritise my health.”
Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner’s rival and the man he recently faced in both the French Open and Wimbledon finals, also announced his absence. The Spaniard pointed to ongoing muscle concerns. “After many consecutive weeks of competition without rest, I will not be able to play in Toronto this year. I have small muscle issues, and I need to recover physically and mentally,” he posted on X.
Their withdrawals come as a major blow, especially given the mouth-watering matchups fans had hoped for. With both players in the form of their lives and their rivalry heating up, the stage seemed perfect for another showdown. Now, the anticipated clash will have to wait.
The disappointment continues with Novak Djokovic also missing from the action. The Serbian legend has not played in Canada since 2019 and has once again prioritized rest over competition, following a grueling run to the Wimbledon semi-finals. British No.1 Jack Draper joins him on the sidelines, still nursing a persistent arm injury that has kept him out of multiple events this season.
The list of absentees doesn’t stop there. Tommy Paul and Grigor Dimitrov, both comfortably ranked inside the world’s top 20, have opted to skip the tournament as well. Their absence opens the draw for other players, but also strips the event of much of its competitive edge.
Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning World No.1 on the women’s side, also announced she will not compete in Montreal. Fresh off a hard-fought Wimbledon final loss to Iga Swiatek, she explained that skipping Montreal was necessary to preserve her chances later in the season. “To give myself the best chance for success, I’ve decided it’s in my best interest to skip Montreal,” she said.
Ons Jabeur is another notable omission, having stepped away from tennis temporarily for personal reasons. Paula Badosa and Sonay Kartal round out the list of withdrawals, with both citing undisclosed health concerns.
With six of the top 20 ATP players and several WTA stars missing, the Canadian Open finds itself at a crossroads. While it still boasts depth in talent, the draw has undeniably lost some of its sparkle. For rising stars and underdogs, this could be a golden opportunity to break through. But for fans hoping to see blockbuster names, this year’s event may feel a little empty.
Nonetheless, tennis remains unpredictable, and surprises often emerge when least expected. With the US Open looming, those who do take the court in Canada will look to make the most of a weakened field. Whether that results in a breakout champion or simply more questions ahead of New York remains to be seen.