Four-time National Bank Open champion Novak Djokovic has announced that he is withdrawing from this year’s tournament. This year’s edition of the men’s half of the tournament (for years known as the Rogers Cup) will take place in Toronto, while the women compete in Montreal.
Djokovic had been due to make his first appearance at the Canadian Masters 1000 event since 2018, but tournament organizers say the Serbian cited fatigue as his reason for withdrawing. It is currently unclear whether the 23-time Grand Slam champion still intends to play in the Cincinnati Masters taking place the week after the National Bank Open, or if he will enter the US Open without playing a tournament to warm up, as he did at Wimbledon.
Djokovic said the following in a press release: “I have always enjoyed my time in Canada, but after speaking with my team, we believe this is the right decision to make. I would like to thank Karl Hale, the Tournament Director, for understanding the decision. I really hope I can return to Canada and Toronto in the coming years to play in front of great fans there.”
Losing the man who has won the most Masters 1000 events in the history of men’s tennis is certainly a blow for the tournament. It has been announced, though, that the entertaining Wimbledon quarterfinalist Christopher Eubanks will gain automatic entry into the main draw due to Djokovic’s withdrawal.
The main draw of the National Bank Open will commence on August 7th.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
