The absence of Novak Djokovic at the Canada Masters in Montreal is a significant blow to the tournament, as fans will miss out on the opportunity to see the 24-time Major winner in action. Djokovic, who has not competed in the event since 2018, made the expected decision to skip the tournament as he continues to recover from knee surgery.
Having entered Wimbledon and the Olympic Games on different surfaces following his surgery, it was clear that Djokovic needed more time to fully regain his form before returning to the hard courts of the Canada Masters. His decision to extend his hiatus at the event means that fans will have to wait a little longer to see him compete in Montreal.
Djokovic has a storied history at the Canada Masters, having won four titles in Montreal and Toronto between 2007 and 2016. Despite his success at the tournament, he has not returned since losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round in 2018, opting instead to focus on the Cincinnati event as his only pre-US Open warm-up.
In recent years, Djokovic has prioritized the Grand Slam events over the Masters 1000 tournaments, saving his best performances for the Majors. His dominance in the Majors has seen him claim three titles in 2023, surpassing Rafael Nadal and putting an end to the GOAT race.
However, Djokovic has yet to reach that same level of success in 2024, with disappointing results and a lack of top-10 wins. He suffered a heavy loss in the semi-finals of the Australian Open to Jannik Sinner, unable to create a break chance and falling short of his usual high standards.
Heading into Roland Garros, Djokovic’s form was a cause for concern, with little confidence and a troubled right knee hampering his preparation for the tournament. His decision to skip the Canada Masters is a clear indication that he is focused on regaining his best form before returning to competitive action. Fans will have to wait a little longer to see the Serbian superstar back on the court, but when he does return, he is sure to be a force to be reckoned with.
