Canadian Open 2026 preview: a wide-open Masters 1000 begins without Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic
A new-look Canadian Open as three of the sport’s biggest stars stay home.
The North American hard-court swing begins under circumstances few could have predicted.
For the second consecutive year, the Canadian Open will take place without Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. The three biggest names in men’s tennis will all miss the first Masters 1000 event after Wimbledon, leaving Montreal with an unusually open field and giving several contenders a genuine opportunity to claim one of the most prestigious titles of the season.
Sinner, fresh from successfully defending his Wimbledon crown, opted to prioritize his physical recovery after an intense first half of the season. Djokovic has chosen to carefully manage his schedule ahead of the US Open, while Alcaraz continues his recovery from the wrist injury that has sidelined him since the spring.
Their absence inevitably changes the complexion of the tournament.
Instead of another chapter in the rivalry between the world’s biggest stars, Montreal becomes an opportunity for the chasing pack. Players who have spent much of 2026 living in Sinner’s shadow suddenly find themselves with a realistic chance of lifting a Masters 1000 trophy.
It may not feature the three most marketable names in the sport, but the Canadian Open remains one of the most significant tournaments of the year.
With 1,000 ATP ranking points available and the US Open only weeks away, momentum built in Canada can shape the entire second half of the season.
Zverev becomes the man to beat
For the first time in several months, Alexander Zverev arrives at a Masters 1000 as the clear favourite.
The German has enjoyed the finest season of his career, highlighted by his breakthrough Grand Slam title at Roland Garros before reaching another major final at Wimbledon. His consistency across every surface has transformed him into the biggest challenger to Sinner’s position at the top of the ATP Tour.
Without Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic in the draw, much of the pressure naturally shifts onto the German.
His route through the opening rounds appears manageable, although the level of competition increases considerably as the tournament progresses. A potential fourth-round meeting with Francisco Cerúndolo and a possible quarter-final against Taylor Fritz could provide his first real examinations.
Zverev has always possessed one of the most complete games on hard courts.
His first serve remains among the most effective on tour, while his backhand is capable of dictating rallies against any opponent. If he maintains the level shown throughout the clay and grass seasons, he deserves to be considered the player everyone else must beat in Montreal.
Anything less than a semi-final appearance would represent a disappointment.
Taylor Fritz looks ready to challenge
Taylor Fritz quietly arrives in Canada with every reason to believe he can contend for the title.
The American has become one of the ATP Tour’s most reliable hard-court performers over the past few seasons, and these conditions suit his aggressive style perfectly.
His ability to dominate behind serve and take control early in rallies makes him particularly dangerous on North American courts.
Fritz also benefits from entering the tournament with relatively little pressure. Much of the attention will focus on Zverev, allowing the American to progress without carrying the burden of favourite status.
Should the draw unfold as expected, a quarter-final between Fritz and Zverev could become one of the defining matches of the entire tournament.
Can Medvedev rediscover his best tennis?
Few players have a higher ceiling on hard courts than Daniil Medvedev.
The former US Open champion built much of his success on this surface, using his unique defensive skills, exceptional returning ability and tactical intelligence to frustrate opponents.
Yet 2026 has been a season of inconsistency.
Moments of brilliant tennis have often been followed by surprising defeats, preventing Medvedev from establishing the rhythm that once made him one of the most feared players on tour.
Montreal represents an ideal opportunity to change that narrative.
If he finds confidence during the opening rounds, few players in the field possess more experience of winning the biggest hard-court tournaments.
Ignoring Medvedev simply because of recent form would be a mistake.
Home hopes rest on Auger-Aliassime
Every Canadian Open creates enormous expectations for the home players.
This year, much of that responsibility falls on Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The Canadian enters the tournament as one of the highest seeds and one of the most dangerous players in the draw. His powerful serve and aggressive baseline game make him particularly effective on North American hard courts, while the support of the Montreal crowd has often elevated his performances.
Few players will receive louder backing throughout the fortnight.
Whether that support becomes an advantage or additional pressure remains one of the tournament’s most intriguing storylines.
If Auger-Aliassime can navigate the opening week successfully, a deep run would come as little surprise.
The first Masters 1000 of the hard-court summer
Beyond the battle for the trophy, Montreal marks the official beginning of one of the most important stretches of the ATP calendar.
The Canadian Open, Cincinnati and the US Open are closely connected.
Players rarely arrive in New York without first revealing clues about their form in Canada.
For some, this tournament is about winning.
For others, it is about finding confidence, improving physical condition and building momentum before the final Grand Slam of the season.
Either way, every match matters.
And despite the absence of three global superstars, the race for the title promises to be one of the most unpredictable Masters 1000 events in recent memory.
The next generation ready to seize the opportunity
The absence of three of the sport’s biggest stars also creates an ideal stage for the ATP Tour’s rising generation.
Few Masters 1000 tournaments have offered such a significant opportunity for young players to announce themselves on one of the biggest stages outside the Grand Slams.
Among the names to watch, Rafael Jodar arguably stands out the most. The 19-year-old Spaniard has been one of the revelations of the 2026 season, winning his maiden ATP title in Marrakech before reaching the quarter-finals in Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros. He also proved his versatility by making the third round at Wimbledon and now arrives in Montreal looking to confirm that his rapid rise can continue on hard courts.
Another player capable of making a deep run is Joao Fonseca. The Brazilian has continued his impressive development this season, reaching his first Masters 1000 quarter-final in Monte Carlo and his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final at Roland Garros. His explosive baseline game makes him one of the most dangerous floaters in the draw, even if consistency remains the biggest challenge at this stage of his career.
American teenager Learner Tien is another name attracting increasing attention. Already capable of competing with established Top 30 players, his clean ball-striking and tactical maturity suggest that a breakthrough at Masters 1000 level could arrive sooner rather than later. Hard courts have historically suited his game, making Montreal an ideal opportunity to continue his rise.
The list of young contenders does not end there. Martin Landaluce continues to develop into one of Spain’s brightest prospects, while Arthur Fils, if fully recovered physically, possesses the power and athleticism to trouble virtually anyone in the field. Both remain players capable of changing the complexion of the tournament with a few strong performances.
A draw full of opportunities
The withdrawal of Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic has created one of the most balanced Masters 1000 draws in recent memory.
In the top half, Alexander Zverev appears to have the clearest path and enters the tournament as the player to beat. Taylor Fritz and Daniil Medvedev headline the main challengers, while Francisco Cerundolo could once again prove dangerous on the North American hard courts if he carries over his consistency from the clay season.
The bottom half appears considerably more unpredictable.
Home favourite Felix Auger-Aliassime will attempt to take advantage of the Canadian crowd, but he faces strong competition from players such as Alex de Minaur, Lorenzo Musetti, Ben Shelton, Andrey Rublev and a group of rapidly improving younger players capable of producing surprise results. Defending champion Shelton, in particular, returns with confidence after last year’s triumph and should never be underestimated on hard courts.
Unlike many recent Masters 1000 tournaments, there is no overwhelming favourite outside Zverev. That uncertainty is precisely what makes this edition of the Canadian Open so intriguing.
Conclusion
The 2026 Canadian Open may lack Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, but it remains one of the most fascinating tournaments of the season.
For established contenders such as Zverev, Fritz and Medvedev, it represents a golden opportunity to collect a prestigious Masters 1000 title before the US Open.
For the next generation, it is an even bigger opportunity. Players such as Jodar, Fonseca, Tien and Landaluce arrive knowing that deep runs at tournaments of this magnitude can transform careers, while established names like Musetti, Shelton and Auger-Aliassime will look to take another step towards the very top of the ATP Tour.
With an open draw, multiple genuine contenders and the US Open just around the corner, Montreal promises to deliver one of the most unpredictable and compelling Masters 1000 events of the year.