World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz is the latest big name to withdraw from the ATP Tour's Canadian Open, after Italian world No.1 Jannik Sinner and Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic also pulled out.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
See subscription optionsAhead of next month's US Open in New York, grand slam champions Sinner and Djokovic, along with world No.5 Jack Draper, announced on Sunday they would not be competing at the Toronto tournament, which goes from July 27 to August 7.
"After many consecutive weeks of competition without rest, I will not be able to play in Toronto this year," Spanish star Alcaraz, who was beaten by Sinner in last month's Wimbledon final, posted on social media platform X on Monday.
"I have small muscles issues and I need to recover physically and mentally for what comes next. To the tournament and to my fans in Canada I am very sorry, I will see you next year!"
And it's not just in the men's game where injuries are affecting tournament line-ups.
US Open organisers announced on Monday that Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen has withdrawn, two days after declaring she had arthroscopic surgery on her right elbow because of "persistent pain."
The sixth-ranked Zheng was coming off a first-round loss to Czech player Katerina Siniakova at Wimbledon last month.
The 22-year-old Chinese star enjoyed a remarkable run in 2024, capturing gold at the Paris Olympics and reaching the final of the Australian Open, but will miss the final slam of this year at Flushing Meadows, which begins on August 24.
With the AP & Reuters
Australian Associated Press
