The Rogers Cup is losing its star power! Top players like Djokovic and Alcaraz have withdrawn.

After the announcements from Djokovic and Sinner regarding their exit from the 2025 Toronto Masters, Alcaraz, ranked second in the world, also withdrew yesterday. Consequently, four of the top six ATP players are now missing (including British number one Draper) from the Rogers Cup starting on July 27 in Toronto, significantly reducing the star power from Alcaraz and Sinner to players like Zverev and Fritz. This wave of withdrawals undoubtedly poses serious challenges to the event's attendance and viewership.

With more than half of the 2025 season gone, the intense competition has kept players in a state of physical and mental tension for an extended period. The withdrawal decisions of Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic reflect the cautious approach elite players take towards health management: avoiding competing while injured and focusing on a strong push for the US Open.

Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Toronto Masters for two consecutive years (2024, 2025), with a career record of only 2 wins and 2 losses at this event, clearly indicating it is not a favorable venue for him.

Sinner has a significant 3200 points to defend during the North American hard-court season, which puts immense pressure on him. However, after recently winning Wimbledon, the world number one has exhausted considerable energy, leading him to prioritize recovery and adjust his condition to focus on the US Open.

The 38-year-old veteran Djokovic must also manage his energy wisely, with the US Open remaining the top priority of the year.

Currently, Sinner leads Alcaraz by 3430 points in the rankings, and the withdrawal of the Spanish young star means he misses a valuable opportunity to gain points. However, since he only has 60 points to defend during this period, while Sinner has 2000 points as the defending champion, the pressure is clearly greater on Sinner. If Alcaraz performs strongly in Cincinnati and the US Open, he still has the chance to narrow the points gap.

The withdrawal of several top-seeded players has dimmed the star power of the Rogers Cup, but it has simultaneously opened up opportunities for emerging players to shine.Zverev, as the highest-ranked player in the tournament, will have a great opportunity to claim the title; Fritz,Rune, Shelton, and other players in good form could potentially challenge for the championship if they seize their chances. However, the absence of the big names may lead to a decline in ticket sales and broadcast interest, prompting event organizers to rethink their marketing strategies.

The withdrawals of Alcaraz and others shift the focus of fans to the Cincinnati Masters in August, which is the last high-level warm-up event before the US Open. At that time, players' condition adjustments and injury recoveries will be crucial indicators. For fans, the strategic withdrawals of top players may suggest that the competition at the US Open will be even more intense.

The dense schedule of professional tennis forces players to make tough choices; the decisions of Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic reaffirm the truth that health is the cornerstone of winning titles. The dimming starlight in Toronto may foreshadow the fierce competition at the US Open. The battle for world number one and the rise of the new generation will reach a climax at the end of the North American hard-court season.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Mei)