Montreal: In a surprising turn of events, tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the National Bank Open, citing fatigue as the reason behind his decision. The announcement was made by tournament organisers on Sunday, disappointing fans who were eager to witness the Serbian’s remarkable talents on the court.
Djokovic, a four-time Canadian Open champion, had previously claimed titles in 2007, 2011, and 2012. However, the last time he competed in the tournament was in 2018, making his absence even more regrettable for fans.
Explaining his withdrawal, Djokovic stated, “I have always enjoyed my time in Canada, but after speaking with my team, we believe this is the right decision to take.” The World No. 2 expressed his gratitude to the tournament director, Karl Hale, for understanding his choice and conveyed his hope to return to the ATP Masters 1000 event in the future.
The 36-year-old Serbian last competed at Wimbledon, where he engaged in an enthralling match against Carlos Alcaraz but ultimately faced defeat. Despite this setback, Djokovic has had a successful 2023 season, boasting an impressive record of 33-5 and securing titles at the Australian Open, French Open, and Adelaide.
Karl Hale, the tournament director, expressed his disappointment at Djokovic’s absence while acknowledging the outstanding lineup of players set to compete at the Canadian Open. Hale praised Djokovic’s exceptional talent and recognised the fans’ eagerness to witness the Serbian maestro in action at Sobeys Stadium.
“Of course, we’re disappointed that Novak won’t be playing at the National Bank Open this year. He’s an incredible player, and we know our fans were eager to watch him at Sobeys Stadium. He will be missed, but we still have a long list of sensational players confirmed for this year’s event, including 41 of the top 42 players in the world,” Hale stated.
Despite Djokovic’s absence, the 2023 Canadian Open promises to be an exhilarating tournament with a star-studded lineup of players ready to compete for the title. Tennis enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing some breathtaking matches as the event is scheduled to commence on August 7.
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