Ben Shelton defends Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic for snubbing Canadian Open

The Masters 1000 event will now go without the game's biggest stars for the second year running as Caelos Alcaraz, Sinner and Djokovic also missed the Montreal tournament in 2025.

Alcaraz is still recovering from a wrist injury, Djokovic has decided he only needs to play one tournament in Cincinnati ahead of the US Open, and Sinner is taking a deserved break after winning the opening five Masters 1000 events of the year, along with Wimbledon earlier this month.

There has been plenty of pushback from the world's best players about the increased schedule and the prize money that goes with it.

"For the tournaments and the players, I'm not sure how sustainable the current setup of the tour is," said the American number one.

"I think for me the biggest thing I'm seeing is the injuries. You have a guy like Sinner, who is winning as many matches as he is; his match count is so high. How is the guy going to go and play every tournament? I don't think it's sustainable.

"Jannik knows his body better than anyone, like all players. If Jannik and Novak feel ready physically and mentally, they'll play. In my opinion, they don't miss a tournament without reason."

Shelton will arrive at the 2026 Canadian Open as the defending champion. 

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