The 2026 Canadian Open is shaping up as a fascinating but star-depleted Masters 1000 event, with Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic all absent from the field. Alcaraz remains sidelined through injury, while Sinner and Djokovic are both using this stretch to rest and recharge ahead of the US Open.
That opens the door wide for reigning French Open champion Alexander Zverev, who steps in as the top seed at Montreal's IGA Stadium. The 136th edition of the men's tournament kicks off the three-event North American hard-court swing, with Cincinnati and the US Open to follow.
Local fans have plenty to celebrate with Felix Auger-Aliassime seeded second for his home event. The rest of the top 10 includes Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev, Ben Shelton, Flavio Cobolli, Taylor Fritz, Alexander Bublik, and Casper Ruud. Shelton, the defending champion, famously claimed his first Masters 1000 title here last August, beating Karen Khachanov in three tight sets. The 23-year-old returns seeded fifth and will be hungry to back up that breakthrough.
The 96-player draw grants byes to the top 32 ranked players, while six wildcards have been issued. Canadians Gabriel Diallo and Liam Draxl have already secured spots, joined by French veteran Gael Monfils. Hubert Hurkacz and Shang Juncheng are entered via protected rankings.
One notable absence further down the list is Britain's Arthur Fery. The entry list was locked in on July 9, when Fery sat outside the top 100. His post-Wimbledon surge into the top 40 came too late for direct entry, meaning qualifying is his only route in.
The draw ceremony is set for July 31, with first-round play beginning August 2. TennisDraw users will want to lock in their bracket picks early given how unpredictable this wide-open field looks.
