Alcaraz joins throng of stars to pull out of Toronto Masters

TORONTO (AP):

CARLOS ALCARAZ pulled out of the Toronto Masters tournament yesterday, a day after Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Jack Draper withdrew from the hard-court event that begins next week.

Alcaraz said Toronto “comes just too soon for me as I recover after Wimbledon”, where he was the runner-up to Sinner on July 13, coming up just short of a third consecutive title at the All England Club.

Alcaraz owns five Grand Slam titles, one more than Sinner.

Sinner is ranked number one, Alcaraz is number two, Draper is number five, and 24-time major champion Djokovic is number six.

Sinner blamed his right elbow, which he hurt in a fall in the fourth round at the All England Club on the way to his first title there and fourth major trophy.

He won his first Masters 1000 title in Toronto in 2023.

“Winning that title in Toronto two years ago was the start of a really special moment for me, but after speaking with my team, I have to recover,” Sinner said.

Djokovic said a groin injury was why he pulled out from an event he has won four times.

He lost to Sinner in the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

Draper will miss Toronto and the Cincinnati Masters next month because of a problem with his left arm, meaning he won’t have any hard-court tuneup tournament before the US Open begins on August 24.

“After Wimbledon, I picked up an injury in my left arm, nothing serious, but I have to make sure it recovers fully for the rest of the season,” Draper posted on social media. “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to compete in Toronto and Cincinnati…. See you in NYC!”