Tennis Canada announced on Friday that World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, No. 6 Dominic Thiem, No. 20 David Goffin and No. 29 Stan Wawrinka have withdrawn from the 2021 National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Toronto.
A four-time champion in Canada, Djokovic has enjoyed great success playing in Toronto and Montreal in previous years. He won his first National Bank Open title in 2007 before going back-to-back in 2011 and 2012. His most recent championship was in Toronto in 2016.
“It would have been fantastic to have hosted Novak [Djokovic] at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers this year,” commented Karl Hale, Tournament Director for the National Bank Open in Toronto. “However, following a great run to his record-equaling 20th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon and his participation at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, we understand his decision. We wish him all the very best for the rest of the season.”
Thiem, meanwhile, is recovering from the wrist injury he sustained at the Mallorca Championships in Spain last month. Goffin is still suffering from an ankle injury and Wawrinka is not yet ready to compete after having foot surgery.
“It’s a shame that Dominic [Thiem], David [Goffin] and Stan [Wawrinka] will miss out on the National Bank Open this year,” Hale added. “We wish them speedy recoveries from their injuries and hope to see them competing again very soon. Hopefully, they will all be back in Toronto when we next host the ATP Tour.”
After Djokovic’s withdrawal, Daniil Medvedev of Russia will be the tournament’s top seed. Reigning champion and World No. 3 Rafael Nadal will be seeded second. Croatia’s Marin Cilic, Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics, Taylor Fritz of the United States and Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas will take the four available spots in the main draw.
Tickets for the 2021 National Bank Open presented by Rogers go on general sale on Monday, July 26. Fans are encouraged to go to www.nbostg.rain-digital.com for more details
