PTPA cites player workload concerns after Canadian Open withdrawals

Aug 10 : The Professional Tennis Players Association said on Monday that a string of withdrawals from the Canadian Open underscored concerns that professional tennis's lengthy calendar and expanded top-level events are increasing injury risks.

The players' advocacy group said it was saddened but not surprised by the absences from the tournament, arguing that reduced recovery time between tournaments was contributing to injuries occurring earlier in the season and becoming more serious.

The Canadian Open's men's event in Montreal was hit by the withdrawals of world number one Jannik Sinner and 24-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, while Carlos Alcaraz was also sidelined with a wrist injury. Hometown favourite Felix Auger-Aliassime also pulled out due to a back injury before his opening match.

On the women's side, defending champion Victoria Mboko, Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova, Emma Raducanu and Jasmine Paolini are also missing the tournament with injuries.

The first quarter-final matches of the tournament begin later on Monday.

Tournament organisers said last month that recurring late withdrawals from Masters 1000 events had become a wider issue for the sport.

PTPA INJURY DATA

The PTPA said it had collected and analysed injury data from more than 30,000 professional matches across all levels of the game over the past eight years in a project launched three years ago with its medical director, Dr. Robby Sikka.

"The evidence is clear: the season is too long, recovery time is shrinking, and injuries are occurring earlier and becoming more severe," the PTPA said in a statement posted on social media.

The group said upper-body injuries were up 42 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period in