Sinner, Djokovic out of Toronto Open, Draper takes their place

Post by : Monika

Photo: AP

In the last week of July 2025, a big tennis tournament called the National Bank Open was getting ready to begin in Toronto, Canada. Many fans were excited to watch their favorite tennis stars compete. But just before the matches started, three of the most famous players made a sad announcement. Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Jack Draper said they will not take part in the tournament this year.

This news surprised fans and changed the whole event. Let's look at what happened, why these players made this decision, and what it means for the tournament.

 Who Are These Players?
Jannik Sinner is a tennis player from Italy. He is one of the best players in the world and is now ranked World No. 1. He recently won Wimbledon 2025, which is one of the biggest and most important tennis events. Sinner has been in great form all year.

Novak Djokovic is a tennis legend from Serbia. He is 38 years old and has won 24 Grand Slam titles, more than most players in history. He has played tennis for a very long time and is still competing at the highest level.

Jack Draper is a young star from the United Kingdom. He is 23 years old and has already reached World No. 5. This year has been his best so far, and many people see him as a future champion.

 Why Did They Pull Out?
All three players have one thing in common — injuries.

Jannik Sinner’s Injury
Sinner hurt his right elbow during Wimbledon. Even though he won the tournament, his elbow did not heal properly. His team told him that if he plays in Toronto, the injury could get worse. So, to stay safe and healthy, he decided to rest. Sinner said he was very sad because he has good memories in Toronto. He won this same event in 2023, and he really wanted to play again. But health comes first.

Novak Djokovic’s Injury
Djokovic has a groin injury. This is a part of the lower stomach and upper leg. These muscles are important for running and stretching during matches. Djokovic said that he loves playing in Toronto and has won this event four times in the past. But he doesn’t want to make his injury worse before the U.S. Open, so he is skipping this event to recover fully.

Jack Draper’s Injury
Draper said he is having pain in his left arm. It’s not a major injury, but enough to stop him from playing his best. He posted a message on social media saying that he needs some time off to rest. Because of this, he is not only skipping the Toronto tournament but also the Cincinnati event, which comes right before the U.S. Open.

 What Is the National Bank Open?
The National Bank Open is a very important tennis tournament. It is a Masters 1000 event, which means it gives 1,000 points to the winner. These points help players move up in the world rankings.

The tournament is held every year in Canada, switching between Toronto and Montreal. This year, the men’s matches are in Toronto. Many top players come to this tournament to practice on hard courts, which are the same type used in the U.S. Open.

 How Does This Change the Tournament?
The withdrawal of Sinner, Djokovic, and Draper is a big deal. It changes the chances for many other players and makes the event more open and unpredictable.

Open Draw for Other Players
Now that these three strong players are not playing, others have a better chance of winning. Players like Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Taylor Fritz can now go deeper into the tournament with less competition from the top.

Opportunity for Young Stars
Players such as Lorenzo Musetti, Holger Rune, and Felix Auger-Aliassime now have a chance to shine. Especially Canadian players like Denis Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime are excited to play in front of home fans.

Disappointed Fans
Many fans were looking forward to watching Sinner, Djokovic, and Draper play. Their absence is a big disappointment. However, the tournament will still go on, and new stars may surprise everyone.

 What the Players Said
Sinner said, “I love playing in Toronto, and it hurts me not to come back this year. But my elbow needs more time to heal.”

Djokovic shared, “It’s better for me to rest now so that I can be ready for the bigger events ahead.”

Draper posted online, “I’m not 100%, so I’ll be taking time off to get fully fit again. I hope to return soon and be stronger.”

 Who’s Still Playing?
Even though three top stars are missing, many strong players are still in the tournament. Here's a list of top names:

• Player    Country    Highlights
• Carlos Alcaraz    Spain    World No. 2, strong favorite
• Alexander Zverev    Germany    Former champion
• Taylor Fritz    USA    Top American player
• Holger Rune    Denmark    Big talent, strong season
• Lorenzo Musetti    Italy    Upcoming star
• Denis Shapovalov    Canada    Local favorite
• Felix Auger-Aliassime    Canada    Top Canadian player

 What’s Next After Toronto?
After this tournament, the players will go to Cincinnati for another big event. After that, they will get ready for the U.S. Open, which starts on August 24 in New York. This is the last Grand Slam of the year and very important for all players.

For Sinner, Djokovic, and Draper, missing Toronto may help them prepare better for the U.S. Open.

This story is not just about injuries. It shows how tough tennis can be. Players travel all year and play many matches. Injuries are common, and rest is very important. Even top players must listen to their bodies.

Missing a tournament like Toronto means losing ranking points, prize money, and match practice. But staying healthy for the bigger events is the smarter choice.

It’s never fun when top players pull out of a big event. But it opens the door for new faces and fresh talent. The National Bank Open will still offer exciting matches, great moments, and big surprises.

Fans will now focus on players like Alcaraz, Zverev, Rune, and Canada’s favorites. Everyone will hope for good tennis and great performances.

We wish Sinner, Djokovic, and Draper a quick and full recovery. And we look forward to seeing them back on court very soon.

Jannik Sinner injury