The 2026 Canadian Open, also known as the National Bank Open, gets underway on August 1, with Montreal hosting the men's ATP Masters 1000 tournament and Toronto welcoming the WTA 1000 event. As the hard-court summer swing begins, the tournament is expected to be one of the key stepping stones toward the US Open. However, this year's men's and women's draws look considerably thinner than usual, as a string of big-name withdrawals has hit both fields, drastically reducing the narrative around the competition.

Players are pulling out one by one, citing fitness issues, recovery needs, careful workload management, and personal reasons. With the main draw just days away, it is reasonable to question how much depth actually remains in the player lineup. The list of absentees features multiple Grand Slam champions, former finalists, and rising stars from both the ATP and WTA tours. Here is a detailed look at the top 10 tennis stars who will not be competing at the Canadian Open in 2026.

10. Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the 2026 Canadian Open as she continues her recovery from a stress fracture in her right leg. The injury first forced her to miss Wimbledon, and she has been sidelined ever since after receiving medical advice to stop playing. The British former US Open champion was also ruled out of the Washington Open, and her return date remains uncertain. Raducanu has struggled with injuries throughout her career, but she had shown promising form on the hard courts earlier in the year. Her absence deprives the WTA field of one of its most marketable young talents, and her fans will hope she can regain full fitness in time for the US Open.

9. Hailey Baptiste

Hailey Baptiste suffered a serious left knee injury during the French Open in May 2026, which required surgery and a recovery timeline of at least six months. The American was in the midst of a breakout season, having defeated World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid and playing the best tennis of her career. Just as she was rising in the rankings and beginning to make a name for herself on the biggest stages, this devastating injury brought everything to a halt. Baptiste's powerful groundstrokes and aggressive style will be sorely missed in Toronto, and her absence is a significant blow to the depth of the women's draw.

8. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has pulled out of the 2026 Canadian Open due to a physical issue. The Spanish player, known for his flashy shot-making and tenacity, chose to focus on his recovery ahead of the remainder of the North American swing and the US Open. Tournament organizers confirmed his withdrawal, though the exact nature of the injury was not publicly disclosed. Davidovich Fokina has previously reached the fourth round of the US Open and has proven himself to be a dangerous opponent on hard courts. His decision to prioritize long-term fitness over immediate competition is a common theme among this year's absentees.

7. Jasmine Paolini

Jasmine Paolini has been ruled out of both the Washington Open and the Canadian Open due to a foot injury sustained after Wimbledon. The Italian, who has enjoyed a remarkable rise in recent years, said she was taking extra time to recover before returning to competition. In a statement on Instagram, Paolini explained: "Unfortunately, I've decided to withdraw from Washington and Toronto so I can give my foot some extra time to rest. I'm sorry I won't be there and I wish everyone involved two amazing tournaments." Paolini's absence leaves a significant gap in the WTA draw, as she has been a consistent presence at the top of the women's game and reached multiple Grand Slam finals since 2024.

6. Alexander Bublik

Alexander Bublik withdrew from the Montreal Masters to spend time with his family, specifically to celebrate his son's birthday. The Kazakhstani player, famous for his unconventional style and sense of humor, explained that the tournament dates clashed with an important personal moment. "For the past four years, yes. It's my son's birthday, and I don't believe the Masters in Cincinnati is worth missing such important moments," Bublik said. While his reason for skipping the tournament is not injury-related, his absence still reduces the entertainment factor of the event. Bublik remains one of the most unpredictable and watchable players on tour, capable of beating anyone on his day.

5. Karolina Muchova

Karolina Muchova has withdrawn from the Canadian Open after undergoing a minor surgery that will keep her off the court for a few weeks. The 2026 Wimbledon finalist said that recovery is her priority as she targets a return in time for the US Open. In a heartfelt statement, Muchova said: "I had to undergo a small surgery that will keep me off the court for a few weeks. Everything went well, and I'm already working on my recovery. Sad to be missing Toronto this year. I was really looking forward to making my debut there, but recovery comes first." Muchova's elegant, all-court game has made her a fan favorite, and her absence is a huge loss for the WTA event.

4. Victoria Mboko

Victoria Mboko had to pull out of both Wimbledon and the Canadian Open after suffering a left medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury during her second-round match against Karolina Pliskova at the Queen's Club Championships. The 19-year-old slipped on the grass and was forced to retire from the match. The injury also ended her doubles campaign alongside Serena Williams, who had made a surprise return to the tour. Mboko confirmed the news, saying: "My fall on Wednesday caused an injury to the MCL on my left knee, which sadly means I will miss the remainder of the grass season. This unfortunately means Wimbledon too, a tournament I had been so looking forward to playing this year." Mboko, one of the most exciting young players on the tour, was expected to be a major draw at her home country's event in Toronto.

3. Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic has opted out of the ATP Masters event in Montreal, delaying his return to a tournament he last played in 2018. The 24-time Grand Slam champion did not specify a reason, but fatigue and workload management are believed to have influenced his decision, as he continues to prioritize the Grand Slams above all else. Djokovic has officially announced his return at the Cincinnati Open, which means he will have a brief lead-up to the US Open. His absence marks the third consecutive year he has skipped the Canadian Open, and it further weakens a men's field that is already lacking multiple top stars. Djokovic remains the most decorated player in history, and fans will be disappointed not to see him in Montreal.

2. Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz will miss the Canadian Open as he continues his recovery from a right wrist injury he suffered during the Barcelona Open in April. The injury forced him to miss the remainder of the clay-court season, including the French Open, and his team decided not to risk a premature return ahead of one of the biggest events on the calendar. The 7-time Grand Slam champion, who has won two Wimbledon and two French Open titles, is expected to return to tennis at the Cincinnati Open. Alcaraz's explosive, high-intensity game is perfectly suited to the hard courts of Montreal, and his absence is a severe blow to the tournament. His rivalry with Jannik Sinner, which has defined the new generation of men's tennis, will have to wait for another week.

1. Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner withdrew from the 2026 Canadian Open to prioritize his health after discussions with his team. Although the three-week gap after Wimbledon gave him more recovery time than last year, the World No. 1 opted against competing in Montreal to manage his workload ahead of the Cincinnati Open and the US Open. Sinner said it was a difficult decision but the right one for his long-term fitness, adding: "After carefully considering all the factors together with my team, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw from Montreal. It is never easy to miss such an important event, but we believe this is the right decision to prioritize my health. I'm disappointed not to be there, but I look forward to returning to Montreal in the future." Sinner's absence means the Canadian Open will be without both of the top two players in the world, which is a devastating blow for tournament organizers.

Impact on the 2026 Canadian Open

The sheer number of withdrawals has drastically altered the landscape of the 2026 Canadian Open. With Alcaraz and Sinner both absent, the men's draw will likely be led by players such as Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, all of whom will see this as a golden opportunity to claim a Masters 1000 title. On the women's side, the absence of Raducanu, Paolini, Muchova, and Mboko leaves the top rankings open for the likes of Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka to dominate. However, the event will still feature high-quality tennis, and the reduced competition could also allow lesser-known players to make deep runs and boost their rankings.

The wave of withdrawals also highlights a broader trend in modern tennis, where players are increasingly skipping major tournaments to manage their physical fitness and extend their careers. The demanding calendar, combined with the physical toll of Grand Slam five-set matches, has led many top stars to make careful choices about which events to prioritize. While this approach is understandable from a player's perspective, it raises concerns among tournament directors and fans who expect to see the world's best competing at every Masters event. The Canadian Open, traditionally one of the most popular stops on the summer swing, has been particularly affected this year, and its status as a key preparation event for the US Open may be under threat.

For now, the 2026 Canadian Open will go ahead with a weakened field, but there is still plenty of talent on display. As the tournament unfolds from August 1 to August 13, fans will be eager to see which emerging stars seize their moment and take advantage of the absentees. The event remains an essential stepping stone on the road to the US Open, and the reduced competition means that every match will carry extra weight. The players who do compete in Montreal and Toronto will know that they have a rare chance to claim a major title without having to overcome the entire top ten. With so many big names missing, the question now is not just who will win, but who will rise to the occasion when the spotlight is brightest.

Source: Khel Now News