With the 2024 Canadian Tennis Masters (July 27 to August 7) on the horizon, top players such as Djokovic, Sinner, Alcaraz, and Draper have sequentially announced their withdrawals, primarily due to concerns over injuries and schedule changes.
Djokovic's withdrawal is especially significant as a 24-time Grand Slam champion. The Serbian star has not participated in Canada since 2018, and this withdrawal may be linked to his physical condition during Wimbledon. He lost to Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals with scores of 3-6, 3-6, 4-6, and admitted afterward that his "mobility was not as expected." In fact, he had a serious fall in a previous match against Kovalik, raising concerns about potential injuries to his hip or upper thigh. Although he is reluctant to discuss his injuries, he expressed that "the wear and tear of age is unavoidable."
The withdrawal of the new Wimbledon champion, Sinner, is also surprising—he not only won the 2023 Canadian Masters but has recently lifted his first Wimbledon trophy. Notably, Sinner experienced elbow discomfort during the fourth round and quarterfinals at Wimbledon, wearing an arm brace throughout the subsequent matches, which may have influenced his decision to rest.
British number one Jack Draper's withdrawal is even more complete, as he has pulled out of both the Canadian and Cincinnati Masters. The player who reached the semifinals at the Queen's Club revealed that he sustained a left arm injury after Wimbledon; although it is not serious, he needs a full recovery. He clearly stated his aim for the last Grand Slam of the season, hinting at a return for the US Open with the phrase "See you in New York."
Additionally, world-class player Alcaraz has also withdrawn from the event, but he has shown no obvious signs of injury recently, likely opting to rest for scheduling purposes.
A series of withdrawals has altered the lineup for the event. Moreover, this year the event has been upgraded to a two-week tournament, expanding the roster accordingly. However, this participation lineup is almost equivalent to an ATP 500 event.
Zverev will compete as the top seed. With continuous participation, he is considered a workhorse of the ATP. Players like Fritz, Musetti, and Rune are becoming favorites for the championship. For the organizers, although withdrawals from the Masters after Wimbledon are not uncommon, the absence of several top players will inevitably have an impact—especially as both the Canadian and Cincinnati Masters have transitioned to a two-week format this year, making the star power of top players even more crucial.