ATP Tour Urged to Make Simple Schedule Change After Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic Skip Canadian Open

The ATP Tour is once again facing questions about its demanding calendar after several of the sport's biggest stars withdrew from this year's Canadian Open.

World-class players including Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz have all decided to skip the ATP Masters 1000 event. They are joined by Alexander Bublik and Sebastian Korda, leaving fans disappointed ahead of one of the biggest tournaments before the US Open.

Growing Concerns Over the ATP Calendar

The number of high-profile withdrawals has reignited debate over whether the ATP Tour schedule has become too demanding for players.

Many observers believe the issue is linked to the expansion of several ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. Since 2025, many of these events have adopted a 12-day format, replacing the traditional one-week schedule. While the longer format allows for more matches and greater fan engagement, critics argue that it also reduces recovery time between tournaments.

For players competing deep into Grand Slams and Masters events, the packed calendar leaves very little opportunity to rest or recover.

Andrea Petkovic Calls for a Simpler Solution

Former WTA star Andrea Petkovic believes the growing list of withdrawals points to a bigger problem than tournament format alone.

According to Petkovic, the ATP season has simply become too long. She argues that shortening the overall schedule would give players more time to recover, reduce injuries, and increase the likelihood of top stars competing in major tournaments such as the Canadian Open.

Her comments have added to the ongoing discussion about balancing commercial growth with player health.

Fans Want the Biggest Stars on Court

The absence of players like Sinner, Djokovic, and Alcaraz is a significant disappointment for tennis fans, who look forward to seeing the world's best compete at every Masters 1000 event.

With the US Open approaching, many top players are choosing to prioritize fitness and recovery rather than risk fatigue or injury.

Will the ATP Make Changes?

As more players continue to voice concerns about the demanding calendar, pressure is increasing on the ATP Tour to review its scheduling strategy.

Whether that means shortening the season, adjusting tournament formats, or creating longer recovery periods remains to be seen. However, the growing number of withdrawals suggests the conversation around player workload is far from over.