National Bank Open: ‘regrettable’ withdrawals according to Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime

Félix Auger-Aliassime sympathizes with Canadian tennis fans disappointed by the withdrawal of big names from the National Bank Open.

The world’s top two players, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, as well as former world number one Novak Djokovic, have all withdrawn from the tournament in the past two days.

Auger-Aliassime said he understands the reasons for their withdrawal, but also the disappointment it may have caused within the Canadian tennis community.

“Wimbledon wasn’t that long ago, so players like Sinner and Alcaraz both made the final, and maybe other players got injured or played with an injury. They want to take a break at some point,” Auger-Aliassime explained Tuesday.

“Toronto or Montreal is always the first tournament on the North American tour, preceding the U.S. Open. Obviously, players try to reach their best at Flushing Meadows, so every year, there are always withdrawals.

“It’s unfortunate for the tournament, for the tournament director, and for the fans, because we want to see the best players compete.”

The National Bank Open is the only ATP and WTA Tour tournament in Canada. Toronto is hosting the men’s tournament this year, and Montreal the women’s.

Auger-Aliassime is the highest-ranked Canadian in the ATP rankings, sitting at 27th. Denis Shapovalov is directly behind him at 28th.

Jack Draper (fifth), Sebastian Korda (33rd), Jordan Thompson (36th), and Hubert Hurkacz (38th) have also withdrawn from the tournament since Sunday. This year’s edition is taking place over 12 days, with a field of 96 players.

The withdrawals could make Auger-Aliassime’s path to a National Bank Open title easier.

No Canadian has won on home soil since Robert Bédard of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, won his third title in 1958. Milos Raonic came closest, losing to Spain’s Rafael Nadal in the 2013 final.

“It won’t change much at the beginning of the tournament,” said Auger-Aliassime. “I think if I reach the later stages of the tournament, the quarterfinals, the field could be better than if I faced Alcaraz, Sinner, or Djokovic at that stage.

“I hope the field opens up, I play well, and I go all the way.”

Canadian Bianca Andreescu won the women’s title in 2019.

Auger-Aliassime, 24, threw out the ceremonial pitch at Rogers Centre before the Toronto Blue Jays hosted the New York Yankees in a crucial American League East game.

Auger-Aliassime was impressed by the size of Rogers Centre and the number of spectators it could accommodate as he stood in front of the dugout, waiting for a photo opportunity with Blue Jays outfielder George Springer.

“I’ve played center court at all the biggest tennis stadiums, but they’re obviously much smaller,” he said. “From the outside, the stadium is obviously impressive, but from the inside, on the court, it’s awesome.”

“For me, it’s incredible to see.”

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews