Tennis Round-Up: Sinner and Djokovic Miss Montreal as Eala Inspires Philippines
Djokovic and Sinner Withdraw from Montreal
The Montreal Masters has been dealt a significant blow with both Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic withdrawing from the Canadian Open. The dual absences have prompted calls for changes within the tournament structure, though the exact reasons for their departures remain undisclosed. The withdrawals represent a notable setback for one of tennis's premier hard-court events.
Eala Inspires Tennis Boom in Philippines
Meanwhile, Alex Eala's remarkable Wimbledon run has captured the imagination of everyday Filipinos, sparking a newfound enthusiasm for tennis across the nation. The player's success has transcended the sport itself, becoming a cultural moment that has resonated far beyond traditional tennis audiences in the Philippines.
Off-Court Developments
In other significant news, the French Open has become the first Grand Slam to offer players a share of tournament revenue, marking a notable shift in prize structure. The WTA Tour has also introduced mandatory gene testing for all players, while Tsitsipas claimed his first ATP title in 16 months. Karolína Muchová will miss the Canadian Open due to minor surgery.
Today's tennis headlines
- Smash hit: How Alex Eala's Wimbledon run made everyday Filipinos fall in love with tennis — feeds.bbci.co.uk
- Sinner, Djokovic out of Montreal Masters tourney — espn.com
- Changes called for as Sinner and Djokovic withdraw from Canadian Open — feeds.bbci.co.uk
- Sabalenka, Sinner headline 2026 US Open fields — espn.com
- The Dink review – Jake Johnson’s pickleball comedy serves up engagingly silly laughs — theguardian.com
- French Open becomes first grand slam to offer players share of tournament revenue — theguardian.com
- WTA starting gene testing for all players on tour — espn.com
- Players will need sex test to play on WTA Tour — feeds.bbci.co.uk
- Tsitsipas claims first ATP title in 16 months — feeds.bbci.co.uk
- Bensoussan's match-fixing ban upped to 5 years — espn.com
- Muchova to miss Canadian Open after 'small surgery' — feeds.bbci.co.uk
- Eye masks, cherry gel and an afternoon kiwi: Ezri Konsa, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and other top sports stars on how to get a good night’s sleep — theguardian.com