Novak Djokovic made a tough call on Sunday, July 23, 2023, as he pulled out of the Canadian Open in Toronto. The reason cited was fatigue, likely stemming from his intense five-set Wimbledon final loss to Carlos Alcaraz, Spain’s world number one, just a week prior.
Djokovic, aged 36 and hailing from Serbia, has an impressive history at the Canadian Open, having clinched the title four times, with his latest triumph in 2018. As the reigning champion in Montreal, the other ATP Masters 1000 event in Canada, his withdrawal was met with disappointment from fans and organizers alike.
Expressing his regret, Djokovic conveyed that his team collectively decided it was best for him to rest after his grueling Wimbledon journey. Despite the withdrawal, he expressed eagerness to return to Toronto in the future.
The absence of the world’s top-ranked player dealt a significant blow to the Canadian Open. Djokovic’s star power and immense popularity drew massive crowds and TV viewership in previous tournaments. Without him, ticket sales and TV ratings were expected to suffer.
