Former WTA No. 1 Kim Clijsters knows a thing or 18 about how to be a successful tennis player. She has won four Grand Slams in singles and understands what a toll the nearly year-long sport can take on a person's body. She also understands why Jannik Sinner would choose not to play at the Canadian Open, which begins on August 1.
In fact, Clijsters said the move was made by Sinner's high-tennis-IQ team, including coach Darren Cahill. Sinner has a firm grasp on No. 1 currently, just won Wimbledon for the second year in a row, and should take some time away.
The Italian also didn't play in Canada last year, so he has no points to drop. Unfortunately for the Master, several high-end players won't be involved in the 2026 event, just like in 2025. Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will also miss the tournament.
Kim Clijsters offers warning on why Jannik Sinner is missing the Canadian Open
For Sinner, though, Clijsters mentioned on a recent episode of her podcast, Love All, that maybe something else is afoot. Tennis fans saw how the Italian suffered a meltdown from the extreme heat in Paris in the second round of the French Open, so maybe he is still working through some health concerns.
Clijsters said, "I think that just shows that maybe there’s something going on behind the scenes. Maybe he’s not just not physically or mentally ready after winning Wimbledon to go back and just compete again at such an intense high level."
Besides the French Open, the ATP No. 1 has struggled with heat-related issues before. While Montreal, where the men's side of the Canadian Open is played this year, will have some warmth, playing the tournament means less rest for the Cincinnati event and then the US Open that follows in late August.
Both of those tournaments will likely see players have to deal with extreme conditions. In the final last year, Sinner lost to Carlos Alcaraz, but he actually retired in the first set after clearly not being 100 percent. The issue of struggling in the warmth isn't unique to Sinner, but he does appear to be affected more than most.
Not staying in the heat and getting rest is important. He might need to do that to have a chance to reclaim the US Open title he won in 2024.
The drawback for Jannik Sinner in missing the Canadian Open is that he is missing out on potentially going through all of 2026 by winning all nine Masters tournaments. He has claimed five so far, and missing Canada means he won't get all nine. Of course, what matters most is his long-term health, and if not getting to Montreal helps him, so be it.
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