Tennis fans from all over the world were looking forward to the summer months. During the summer some of the biggest tournaments were scheduled. We already got to see Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz battle it out during the Wimbledon finale. However, next week the National Bank Open will be played, but it is no looking good for the tournament. In the last weeks, more and more athletes have pulled out of the tournament. Keep on reading to discover who pulled out and why.
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and many more have pulled out
Jannik Sinner, who recently won his First Wimbledon title, already announced that he would not be part of the National Bank Open. He would be taking his time recovering from an Elbow injury. However, other athletes like Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have also pulled out of the tournament, all citing injuries as the main reason.
The National Bank Open is Followed By Two Other Tournaments
The extended format for the National Bank Open is not really helping the tournament. The players who did want to play have now opted to skip the tournament altogether. The main reason that they’re pulling out of the NBO is to get some more rest before other tournaments.
Experts in the sport say that in the future, many more top athletes will withdraw from their tournaments if they don’t change it back to the 1-week period. The event went from a one-week tournament to a tournament played over 12 days. The additional days that the players have to live in hotels, instead of spending time with family, will have consequences on their bodies.
However, this year it is extra bad. The National Bank Open is just two weeks after Wimbledon, and a week after the tournament ends, the Cincinnati Open starts, followed by the U.S. Open!
Featured Image Credit: National Bank Open