PTPA cites player workload concerns after Canadian Open withdrawals

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has expressed concern over withdrawals from the Canadian Open, attributing the trend to the long tennis calendar and the introduction of more top-level events. The organization's advocacy group highlighted that reduced recovery time between tournaments is leading to earlier and more severe injuries, which are occurring at a younger stage of the season.

Notable withdrawals included from world number one Jannik Sinner, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, and rising star Carlos Alcaraz, who all suffered injuries. Additionally, Felix Auger-Aliassime withdrew due to a back injury before his first match. On the women's side, defending champion Victoria Mboko, Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova, Emma Raducanu, and Jasmine Paolini also missed the tournament due to injuries.

Tournament organizers had previously mentioned that increasing withdrawals from Masters 1000 events are a broader issue in the sport. The PTPA, after analyzing injury data from over 30,000 matches over eight years, stated that the season's length, shortened recovery periods, and more severe injuries are clear indicators. They called for a more player-health focused approach, suggesting that players should have a significant role in scheduling decisions and that the number of mandatory tournament commitments should be decreased to allow for proper recovery. The PTA also urged the ATP to reconsider the 12-day Masters 1000 format.