{"id":2074955,"date":"2026-08-03T12:30:21","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T09:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2074955"},"modified":"2026-08-03T12:30:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T09:30:21","slug":"federer-and-nadals-example-explains-sinner-djokovic-canada-withdrawals-amid-schedule-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2074955","title":{"rendered":"Federer and Nadal&#8217;s example explains Sinner, Djokovic Canada withdrawals amid schedule backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"ps-article-content rounded-lg lg:mt-5 lg:border lg:border-card lg:bg-card lg:shadow-primary\">\n<header>\n<h1 class=\"py-4 text-xl font-normal text-title sm:text-2xl\">Federer and Nadal\u2019s example explains Sinner, Djokovic Canada withdrawals amid schedule backlash<\/h1>\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/author\/richie-mills\" class=\"text-sm font-normal !text-author\"><br \/>\n                            Richie Mills                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <time class=\"ml-3 text-sm font-normal text-info md:ml-4\" datetime=\"03 Aug 2026 1:30 PM\" data-ps-date=\"03 Aug 2026 1:30 PM\" data-ps-datetime=\"1785760221\"><br \/>\n                            03 Aug 2026 1:30 PM                        <\/time>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden justify-end space-x-4 text-xl sm:flex sm:!opacity-100\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on 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href=\"https:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-features%2Ffederer-and-nadals-example-explains-sinner-djokovic-canada-withdrawals-amid-schedule-backlash\" aria-label=\"Share to flipboard\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sm:hidden flex items-center space-x-5\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_light.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <button id=\"t365-article-share-btn-hidden\" class=\"mr-2 hidden h-6 w-6 appearance-none border-none !text-share-icon outline-none hover:!text-share-icon-active sm:hidden\" data-title=\"Federer and Nadal\u2019s example explains Sinner, Djokovic Canada withdrawals amid schedule backlash\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/button>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5 border-b border-page\"><\/div>\n<section>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5\">\n<figure class=\"aspect-h-9 aspect-w-16 relative\">\n                                        <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1320\" height=\"742\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover object-center !my-0\" src=\"https:\/\/d2me2qg8dfiw8u.cloudfront.net\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3BRBA9P-1-1320x742.jpg\" alt=\"Pictured: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, with Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic\">                <\/figure><figcaption class=\"flex items-center space-x-3 border-b border-mobile-caption px-3 lg:border-caption\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-1.5 break-words !text-xs !text-content\">\n                                Pictured: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, with Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic                            <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"ciam-article-t365\"><!-- Article Start --><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/jannik-sinner\">Jannik Sinner<\/a> and Novak Djokovic\u2019s Canadian Open withdrawals have sparked debate around the need to change tennis\u2019 demanding schedule.<\/p>\n<p>World No 1 Sinner said he pulled out of Montreal to prioritise his health; Djokovic will have decided against taking part as he prioritises the slams as he nears 40, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/carlos-alcaraz\">Carlos Alcaraz<\/a> is still out with a wrist injury.<\/p>\n<p>Canadian Open tournament director Valerie Tetreault said on the high-profile withdrawals, \u201cWe respect their decisions and understand that, with such a demanding schedule, players\u2019 health must remain the priority. That said, we believe the frequency of these last-minute withdrawals in the last few years raises a broader issue for our sport.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMasters 1000 events are among the flagship tournaments on the tour, and fans rightfully expect to see the world\u2019s best compete. We are already in discussions with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/atp-tour\">ATP<\/a> to ensure this matter receives serious consideration.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In years gone by, there was a two-week gap between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/wimbledon\">Wimbledon<\/a> and the Canadian Masters, but many top players still rocked up for this prestigious event. Now, there is a three-week break after SW19 but once again, the sport\u2019s biggest stars are not competing.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Tennis News<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-features\/canadian-open-withdrawal-list-16-stars-out-sinner-djokovic-alcaraz-raducanu-sidelines\">Canadian Open withdrawal list: All 16 stars who will miss event along with Sinner, Djokovic, Mboko, Raducanu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/atp-tour\/atp-rankings-carlos-alcaraz-no-2-alexander-zverev-drops-rafael-jodar-9-denis-shapovalov-25\">ATP Rankings: Alcaraz benefits from Zverev drop, Jodar edges closer to top 10, Gea +45, Shapovalov +25<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Want more from Tennis365? Add us as<span>\u00a0<\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\">a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>for tennis coverage you can trust.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>However, tennis content creator Gill Gross has pointed out that the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were skipping this tournament for years, particularly at the tail end of their careers.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, Federer opted out of playing on seven occasions between 2012 and 2021, Nadal played there five times between 2012 and 2024, and Djokovic hasn\u2019t taken part at the Canadian Masters since 2018.<\/p>\n<p>So while elongated Masters, which were a week and are now the majority are played over the best part of a fortnight, do not help things, there are other factors at play, too.<\/p>\n<p>Gross said on his <a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=E9KeHnO-O9Y\" target=\"_blank\">YouTube channel<\/a>, \u201cEveryone on my Twitter feed, basically in unison, all said the same thing when this news dropped, when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/jannik-sinner\">Sinner<\/a> and Djokovic pulled out on the same day.\u00a0They all said, \u2018Damn you extended two-week Masters 1000s, you\u2019ve ruined it. You\u2019ve ruined this event\u2019. Look, I get it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI understand why that was the reaction. I am not a defender of the format. I have covered the flaws, the drawbacks when it comes to the format on the show many, many, many times.\u00a0But we\u2019ve got a short-term memory here, don\u2019t we?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBecause last year, the Canada Masters became an expanded event for the first time, a two-week event, really 12, 13-day event. So let\u2019s go back before then and examine the participation at the Canada Masters among the top players.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/roger-federer\">Roger Federer<\/a>, after 2011, played Canada how many times? Twice. This was Nadal\u2019s best hardcourt event. He sometimes prioritised it over Cincinnati. How many times after 2011, when both of these were one-week events, how many times after 2011 did Nadal actually play both? Three times.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen\u2019s the last time <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/novak-djokovic\">Djokovic<\/a> played Canada? 2018. He\u2019s won 11 slams since 2018.He hasn\u2019t played Canada. So I get the reaction to be mad at the expanded Masters 1000s for players skipping out of this event. That\u2019s actually not it in this case.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/rafael-nadal\">Nadal<\/a>, Federer, and Djokovic decided to skip Canada, it may have partly been down to them being in the second half of their respective careers, as they sought to manage their bodies more carefully.<\/p>\n<p>But with the sport more physical than ever, it is understandable that players are being more selective with which tournaments they play. Regardless, Gross thinks Canada\u2019s \u201cbad spot\u201d on the calendar is an inescapable issue.<\/p>\n<p>Gross continued, \u201cNow, I understand there\u2019s an age difference in some of these cases where Sinner is mid-20s. And if you look at Djokovic not playing Canada since 2018, you\u2019re looking at a more advanced age Djokovic in that particular sample size.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut I also think that the big three, how long they played and how diligent they were about taking care of their bodies, I think they set a bit of an example for the future elite players in the sport for how maybe it should be done, how important it is to make sure that you\u2019re not overextending your physicality and prioritising majors as they did so clearly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think there was a bit of an example set. So I feel horrible for Canada, the National Bank Open. But this isn\u2019t the expanded Masters fault. It has always been in a bad calendar spot. Always. This is not new.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLet\u2019s have a memory. And last year it was even worse because there was only two weeks between Wimbledon and the start of Canada. And this year, because of the way the calendar shook out, there was actually that extra week.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo it was three weeks. And for that reason, they [the tournament organisers] were expecting to have better luck this year than they did last year. Not the case, unfortunate. I feel sorry for the locals at these events. I feel sorry for the people involved with these events. It\u2019s not great.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ NEXT: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/atp-tour\/tennis-legend-identify-player-can-stop-jannik-sinner-carlos-alcaraz-not-alexander-zverev\">Carlos Alcaraz &amp; Jannik Sinner: Tennis legend\u2019s bold pick for who can challenge them<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- Article End --><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Federer and Nadal\u2019s example explains Sinner, Djokovic Canada withdrawals amid schedule backlash Richie Mills 03 Aug 2026 1:30 PM Pictured: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, with Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic\u2019s Canadian Open withdrawals have sparked debate around the need to change tennis\u2019 demanding schedule. World No 1 Sinner said [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,249],"class_list":["post-2074955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tennis365-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2074955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2074955"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2074955\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2074955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2074955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2074955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}