ATP aces leave Toronto in the lurch

The Toronto Masters suffered a body blow on Sunday with Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper all withdrawing with days to go before the start.

The summer hardcourt season will have to wait for the top 10 trio, all of whom cited injuries picked up on the grass of Wimbledon.

World No. 1 Sinner will not play due to the elbow injury which he and his team managed to control on the way to the title in SW19 a week ago.

The Italian who beat Carlos Alcaraz in four sets to win the title played his last matches in London with a sleeve on the troublesome joint.

The 23-year-old won his first Masters title at the event in 2023.

“I’m really disappointed to be missing Toronto, especially as I have such fond memories of playing in Canada,” he said in a statement.

“Winning that title in Toronto two years ago was the start of a really special moment for me, but after speaking with my team, I have to recover.”

The 38-year-old Djokovic, who lost to Sinner in their Wimbledon semi-final in straight sets, is still troubled by a groin strain from his participation at the All England club.

“We’re disappointed that Jannik and Novak won’t be playing the National Bank Open this year,” said TD Karl Hale.

“They’re both great champions, and will both be missed, but we still have an incredibly strong player field for this year’s tournament.”

British No. 1 Draper will be a surprise absence after last playing more than a fortnight ago in a second-round Wiimbledon loss to Marin Cilic.

He was followed out the door by No. 39 Australian Jordan Thompson.

Main photo:- Jannik Sinner won Wimbledon 2025 Men’s title wearing a protective sleeve on his right arm – by Roger Parker ISF