Jannik Sinner's decision to skip the Canadian Open in Montreal has done more than end his historic run of six consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles. It has reignited a broader conversation about whether the sport's biggest names are slowly stepping away from major events, and whether the expanded 12-day Masters format is partly to blame.
Sinner had already claimed titles at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome this season, making him the first man in history with a realistic shot at winning all nine Masters events in a single calendar year. Instead, he chose rest after successfully defending his Wimbledon crown, with his team clearly mindful of the grueling clay swing that preceded his shock second-round exit at Roland Garros against Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
Fabio Fognini, the former world No. 9, backed the call entirely, noting that preserving energy for the US Open is the priority. He did, however, lament a wider trend, pointing out that during the Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic era, skipping Masters events was practically unthinkable.
Andy Roddick offered a candid take on his podcast, recalling a post-Wimbledon conversation where Sinner mentioned wanting rest. Roddick connected the dots immediately. He also raised an intriguing question: could this withdrawal set a precedent, with Sinner potentially trimming his clay schedule next year to arrive at Roland Garros in better physical shape?
Meanwhile, former players Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson argued on their podcast that tournament organizers may not actually mind the absences, given that the 12-day format secures nearly two weeks of television rights regardless of who shows up.
With Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz also absent, the draw is headlined by Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev. TennisDraw users will find plenty of intrigue picking through a wide-open bracket in Montreal.
