Zverev says cutting Masters events to one week is an easy fix for crowded calendar

World number three Alexander Zverev suggested that shortening Masters tournaments to a single week would help players stay in top form, instead of having to manage their busy schedules and make tough decisions about which events to attend. Jannik Sinner bow out of the Canadian Open to focus on his well-being following his Wimbledon triumph, while 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic also skipped the US Open warm-up to handle his workload.

Carlos Alcaraz was absent due to a wrist injury that has sidelined him since April. The absences again left the tournament without three of the sport’s top talents, with the trio also missing last year’s event.

Zverev, who lost his opening match in Montreal, spoke to reporters and said, "I think that’s what two-week events do." He added, "Unfortunately, especially if there’s a Grand Slam coming after that. If you play everything and you’re a top player, you spend seven weeks here in North America. That is quite a long time and I think that’s why a lot of top players choose not to play Canada for multiple years now.

That’s unfortunately the sad reality of it." The German player concluded, "It’s quite simple. Make us be here for two weeks, not seven. For the Masters, it’s two weeks for both of them. I think that’s an easy fix regarding top players playing." This statement was made ahead of the Cincinnati Open.