Novak Djokovic has made the decision to withdraw from the National Bank Open, the only Canadian stop on the ATP Tour schedule. This move comes as Djokovic seeks additional rest following his recent loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
Tennis Canada officially announced Djokovic’s withdrawal, stating that the 36-year-old, 23-time Grand Slam champion is experiencing fatigue. After his intense five-set final against top-ranked Alcaraz at Wimbledon, Djokovic had planned to use the Canadian tournament as part of his preparation for the upcoming U.S. Open. However, considering his physical condition, he has chosen to prioritize rest and recovery.
“I have always enjoyed my time in Canada but after speaking with my team, we believe this is the right decision to take,” stated Djokovic, who has won the National Bank Open four times.
“I would like to thank Karl Hale, the tournament director, for understanding this decision. I really hope I can return to Canada and Toronto in the coming years to play in front of great fans there.”
As a result of Djokovic’s withdrawal, American player Christopher Eubanks will automatically take his place in the main draw. Eubanks comes into the tournament with great momentum after his impressive quarterfinal run at Wimbledon, where he defeated notable players like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Cam Norrie.
“Of course, we’re disappointed that Novak won’t be playing at the National Bank Open this year,” Hale stated. “He’s an incredible player and one we know our fans were eager to watch at Sobeys Stadium.”
“He will be missed but we still have a long list of sensational players confirmed for this year’s event, including 41 of the top 42 players in the world.”
The National Bank Open will be held from August 3 to August 13, with the men’s matches taking place at Toronto’s Sobeys Stadium and the women’s matches at Montreal’s IGA Stadium concurrently. While Djokovic’s absence may be disappointing to fans, the tournament will still feature top-quality tennis from other renowned players.
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