Naomi Osaka, Sofia Kenin and Iga Swiatek have all withdrawn from this month’s National Bank Open in Montreal. This means that the WTA 1000 tournament is left without three Top 10 players who are also Grand Slam champions.
The reason for the second-ranked Osaka’s withdrawal is not stated. In the last two months, the Japanese played only the Tokyo Olympics, where she lost in the third round to Marketa Vondrousova, the Czech who went on to win the silver medal.
The 23-year-old four-time major champion is in the process of fighting depression and focusing on mental health, hence she pulled out of the French Open early and completely skipped Wimbledon.
Regarding the National Bank Open, Osaka said in a statement:
I am sorry to be missing out on Montreal this year. Sending my best to all the fans there, the tournament and the staff. I hope to see you all in Canada next year.
The world No.4 Kenin, singles champion at the 2020 Australian Open, is still recovering from a foot injury. For the same reason the American skipped the Olympics and is not playing this week’s Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose, California. The injury is nothing serious, but it needs some more time to properly heal.
The world No.8 Swiatek, the 2020 Roland Garros champion, who lost in the second round of the Olympics, simply needs some time to rest:
I am very sorry but this year I will not be able to play in Montreal. The first part of the season was so intense that I need a couple of days off to rest and prepare for the next few months. I’m looking forward to playing in Canada in 2022.
Third-ranked Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will be the top seed at the National Bank Open, previously known as the Rogers Cup. (photo: Jimmie48)
