World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain was the latest star player to bow out of the upcoming National Bank Open on Tuesday, citing the need for physical and mental recovery.
Alcaraz follows World No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy, Serbian star Novak Djokovic, Great Britain's Jack Draper and Australia's Jordan Thompson, whose withdrawals were announced Sunday.
"After many consecutive weeks of competition without rest, I will not be able to play in Toronto this year," Alcaraz wrote on X. "I have small muscles
issues and I need to recover physically and mentally for what comes next. To the tournament and to my fans in Canada I am very sorry, I will see you next year!"
The ATP Masters 1000 event is slated to be played July 27 through Aug. 7 in Toronto, and many elite players are skipping the tournament in order to prepare for the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 25.
Alcaraz, 22, won the French Open in June before losing to Sinner in the final at Wimbledon, where he was aiming for a three-peat.
Sinner was the champion the last time the tournament men's singles draw was held in Toronto in 2023. Alexei Popyrin of Australia won the title last year in Montreal.
World No. 3 Alexander Zverev of Germany is the top seed for the tournament, while No. 4 Taylor Fritz of the U.S. drew the No. 2 seed.
On the women's side, Coco Gauff was named the No. 1 seed for the tournament being played in Montreal this year. Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek of Poland is No. 2.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus recently pulled out to get extra rest for the U.S. Open.
--Field Level Media
