Novak Djokovic Withdraws from Canadian Masters Amid Injury Concerns

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the upcoming National Bank Open in Montreal, part of the Canadian Masters, citing injury concerns. The announcement comes amidst a busy summer schedule and recent reports of an aggravated knee injury sustained during the Paris Olympics.

Groin Injury Cited for Canadian Open Withdrawal

Djokovic, a four-time champion of the Canadian Masters, officially withdrew from the 2025 National Bank Open in Toronto, stating a groin injury as the reason. This withdrawal, also impacting fellow top player Jannik Sinner (elbow injury) and Jack Draper (arm injury), was announced on Sunday. The tournament organizers confirmed the withdrawals, wishing the players well in their recovery.

Lingering Knee Issues from Paris Olympics

The withdrawal from the Canadian Masters follows a period of concern over Djokovic’s knee. During his quarter-final match at the Paris Olympics against Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Serbian aggravated his knee, which had previously required surgery in June. Djokovic had undergone surgery earlier in June after withdrawing from Roland Garros due to a torn meniscus. Despite needing on-court medical attention and pain-relieving medication during the Olympic match, he managed to win.

Djokovic expressed concern about the state of his knee following the Olympic scare, likening it to his French Open experience where he only discovered the severity of his meniscus tear the day after finishing a match. He stated he was “very worried” but would allow the medical team to evaluate his knee.

A Precautionary Measure in a Busy Season

Djokovic’s decision to skip the Canadian Masters appears to be a precautionary measure as he navigates a demanding summer schedule. He is vying for an Olympic gold medal in Paris, the only major accolade missing from his extensive collection. Having reached the final at Wimbledon and now participating in the Olympics, a packed calendar necessitates careful management of his physical condition.

While disappointed to miss the Canadian event, Djokovic emphasized the need to make “hard choices” while recovering from injury in a busy summer. His focus, particularly after securing an Olympic gold medal, has been reported to be solely on the US Open, for which he had already opted out of both the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open. Despite recent concerns, Djokovic has since downplayed serious injury worries ahead of the US Open, stating that “everything is fine” and that it is “nothing serious in the wider context.”