PTPA cites player workload concerns after Canadian Open withdrawals

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has expressed alarm over a surge in player withdrawals from the Canadian Open, citing mounting concerns about the sport's grueling schedule and evolving top-level events. Jannik Sinner, world number one, and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic withdrew from the tournament in Montreal, joining other injured players like Felix Auger-Aliassime, Victoria McLeod, Karolina Muchova, Emma Raducanu, and Jasmine Paolini.

This wave of absences has prompted the PTPA to declare that professional tennis may be gravely overloading its athletes.

The association's analysis of injury data from over 30,000 matches over the past eight years reveals a troubling trend. The first quarter of 2026 saw a 42% increase in upper-body injuries compared to the same period in 2025, while arm injuries surged by a staggering 112% this year when compared to the 2025 average. The PTPA attributes these rising injury rates to the expanded length of tournaments, reduced recovery time, and the compressed season overall.

The Professional Tennis Players Association argues that the ATP's recent decision to extend seven Masters 1000 events to 12-day affairs, a move that began in 2025, has diminished players' rest periods and forced them to travel and train more intensely. Despite player concerns about the demanding schedule for years, the PTPA maintains that commercial interests should not compromise player health. The association emphasizes that safeguarding player well-being is not just about current stars but also the future of tennis.

The group calls for a player-centric, data-driven approach to recalibrating the calendar, advocating for fewer mandatory tournament commitments and greater player involvement in scheduling decisions. They urge the ATP to reconsider the 12-day Masters 1000 format and prioritize player health over short-term commercial gains.