Alcaraz, Djokovic, Sinner Lose Millions In Bonus Payments Because of Toronto Withdrawals

Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Jannik Sinner have accepted a significant financial penalty for withdrawing from the 2025 Canadian Open in Toronto.

Tournament organizers in Toronto were dealt a massive blow when the three biggest names on the ATP Tour all pulled out of the Masters 1000 event. They all did so on the same day, heightening the shock and disappointment.

That development has intensified conversations about the negative consequences of expanding combined ATP and WTA 1000-level tournaments to 12 days, and 96-player draws. This year will be the first iteration in Canada with that format.

Although it cannot be known for sure, the previous one-week format might have had a better chance of preventing withdrawals. Sinner appeared in Canada in 2024, and Alcaraz almost certainly would have had he not reached the Gold Medal Match at last year's Paris Olympics.

Alcaraz, Djokovic, and Sinner have been hit with financial consequences due to their decision. The ATP runs a bonus pool each year for 1000 and 500 events, and the Year-End Championships, with the highest share going to the most successful player at tournaments at those levels each year.

Sinner's financial loss is the most significant. The world No. 1 automatically forfeited his share of the Masters 1000 and Year End Championships bonus pool because he has now missed four mandatory 1000-level events.

Three of those missed tournaments were caused by him serving a three-month suspension after reaching a controversial case settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency to avoid going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Sinner could not play at the 2025 Indian Wells Open, Miami Open, or the Madrid Open. He returned on home soil at the 2025 Italian Open, finishing as the runner-up to Alcaraz in front of his home fans.

Alcaraz and Djokovic face a smaller but still hefty financial penalty. Their share of the bonus pool will be cut by 50%. Jack Draper, who also withdrew from the Canadian Open, will see his share reduced by the same amount.

In 2025, the total bonus pool for the ATP Masters 1000 tournaments and the ATP Finals is $21 million. The player with the most points at these events in 2025 will take home over $4.5 million. However, if that player is Djokovic, Alcaraz, or Draper, the sum will be only around $2.25 million.

The players' willingness to endure those losses shows how much those at the top value managing their schedules. They are conscious about overplaying in the weeks before the 2025 US Open begins on August 24th.

Organizers at the Canadian Open might ask the ATP to revert the tournament to one week next year. The men and women play separately in Montreal and Toronto each year, making the expanded format even less sense for the event.

Women's World No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka, has already withdrawn from the women's singles in Montreal. Due to the numerous withdrawals, interest in the tournament may fall to historic lows, potentially impacting ticket sales and revenue. Hopefully, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek remain committed to playing at the tournament.

Swiatek might be the next most likely to withdraw after her Wimbledon title run. That success led to her dancing with Sinner at the Champions' Ball, something the Pole insisted they do.