Montreal’s Masters Miscalculation

The withdrawals of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic from the National Bank Open in Montreal have left a gaping hole in the men’s tennis calendar, raising questions about the ATP Masters 1000 format’s viability. The two-week events introduced last year have been met with criticism from players and fans alike, who argue that they’re more exhausting than beneficial.

Critics point out that the new format extends tournaments like Canada and Cincinnati to 12-day events, which seems to be having the opposite effect of giving top players more time to prepare for the US Open. Sinner’s withdrawal comes after he crashed out early at Roland Garros due to cramping issues, sparking criticism that he had played too many events leading into Paris. His Montreal absence is a major loss for the event.

The M1000 format has been implemented in Madrid, Rome, and Shanghai as well, with mixed results. While it may provide an extra week of tennis for fans, top players are not buying into the new system. Djokovic’s withdrawal from Montreal is particularly significant, given his dominance on hard courts. The 24-time major champion’s absence will undoubtedly be felt at the event.

The reactions of Jon Wertheim and @TennisConnected’s post on X/Twitter highlight the growing discontent among fans and commentators. “An absolute disaster for Montreal that Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic are all out for this year,” reads the post. What is the point of a two-week Masters in Canada if none of the top players play? This event has traditionally been an excellent showcase for tennis in an excellent city.

Wertheim astutely pointed out that “This spring ~ the last time Sinner jammed in m1000s ~ he gassed out at the subsequent Major (RG).” The correlation between playing too many events and struggling at Grand Slams is clear. It’s high time for the ATP to reassess its scheduling priorities.

The withdrawals are a major loss for Montreal, but tennis fans can look forward to Sinner, Djokovic, Alcaraz, and Zverev all playing in Cincinnati next month. However, this development only serves to underscore the problems with the M1000 format. It’s time for the ATP to cut its losses and revert to a more traditional scheduling system.

The US Open will be closely watched as top players continue to navigate the new format. Will they find success in New York, or will the exhaustion of playing too many events catch up with them? The answer may lie in the ATP’s willingness to listen to player feedback and make changes to its scheduling system.

By extending tournaments to two weeks, the ATP has inadvertently created a scenario where top players are opting out of events, leaving fans disappointed and frustrated. It’s time for the governing body to take a step back and reevaluate its priorities. The M1000 format needs a serious overhaul as it heads into the final stretch of the summer tennis season.