Kim Clijsters Shares Her Take on Jannik Sinner’s Decision to Skip Canadian Open: “Something’s Going on Behind the Scenes”

There’s a lot of discussion regarding Jannik Sinner‘s withdrawal from the Canadian Open. In any other season, his participation wouldn’t have become a major issue, but this season, it is. And it’s all because there was an opportunity to bid for the historic Golden Masters, which no man has achieved yet.

Sinner did not reach the finals of the first two tournaments he played this season: the Australian Open and the Qatar Open, both of which were won by his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian ace then went on to take home five back-to-back titles in the Masters 1000s, with his win in Rome making him only the second man after Novak Djokovic to complete the Career Golden Masters.

After his second-round exit at the French Open due to physical collapse, Sinner underwent medical examinations in Milan and skipped the warm-up events before Wimbledon. At Wimbledon, the 24-year-old successfully defended his crown by beating Alexander Zverev, following which his two coaches, Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi, said Sinner intended to play in Montreal.

In his withdrawal announcement, Sinner said he wanted to prioritize his health, but former WTA World No.1 Kim Clijsters believes there could be more reason behind this decision.

I think that just shows that maybe there’s something going on behind the scenes. Maybe he’s not just not physically or mentally ready after winning Wimbledon to go back and just compete again at such an intense high level.

Kim Clijsters said on the Love All podcast

Then there is the two-week Masters 1000 format. Last year, both the Canadian and the Cincinnati events became a part of the two-week Masters 1000 format. There have been a lot of complaints from the top players about the expansion of the already packed 11-month calendar.

Because these tournaments are not in a shorter amount of time. You play a lot of tennis, intense matches, and I think it’s a very, very smart choice, and knowing the team around him and Darren and the way that they work, I’m sure they’ve thought about it enough for a while.

Kim Clijsters added

Sinner will be playing in Cincinnati next. Because of illness, the Italian ace was forced to give the walkover to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of Cincinnati last year.

Fabio Fognini says Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic never skipped Masters 1000s after Jannik Sinner’s Canadian Open withdrawal

Fabio Fognini backed Jannik Sinner‘s decision to withdraw from the Canadian Open. But Fognini also sparked debate when he compared the present generation to that of the era dominated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, saying they used to compete in almost every Masters 1000.

I’m not surprised by Jannik’s withdrawal from Montreal. He’s right to save himself for the US Open… Today, anyone can win a Masters 1000. In my time, Roger, Rafa, and Nole never skipped one – it was impossible.

There are arguments that tennis has always been evolving and has become faster, which means players deal with more physical setbacks. Alcaraz has been on the sidelines since the Barcelona Open because he injured his wrist.

Djokovic, at this stage of his career, is prioritizing only the Majors, but he also plays Masters 1000s every now and then. Apart from the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon, the 39-year-old competed at the Indian Wells Masters and the Italian Open and will return to action in Cincinnati.

Djokovic last lifted the Cincinnati title back in 2023, winning his historic 40th Masters 1000. The last time he made a Masters 1000 final was at the 2025 Miami Open, losing the match to Jakub Mensik.

Also read: Carlos Alcaraz Shocks Fans With Bold Braided Hairstyle Ahead of Potential Comeback