Jannik Sinner has clearly learned from his Roland Garros mistake by withdrawing from the Canadian Open

Previously, he had won all five Masters 1000 events that had been played thus far in 2026, and was just four more away from achieving a feat that nobody ever has before in tennis history: the Calendar Masters.

Alas, for all the relatively justifiable scorn directed at Jannik Sinner, one could argue that this is a decision instead worthy of praise.

After all, it has shown he has learned from the choices that ultimately led to his spectacular Roland Garros failure.

Jannik Sinner lost Roland Garros because he prioritised Masters 1000 tournaments

In a statement released by Tennis Canada, Sinner justified himself by stating: “

It’s clear that the Italian is prioritising his fitness, seeking to go one step further in Cincinnati and the US Open after losing both in the final to Carlos Alcaraz last year.

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And whilst this might be hard for some to realise, it was evidenced in Paris just how taxing it can be to play relentlessly at every event.

Eventually, something has to give.

In the run-up to Roland Garros, Sinner played and won Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome in such quick succession that his second-round burnout in Paris was almost to be expected, albeit massively encouraged by the blisteringly hot conditions.

In choosing to now pace himself ahead of the US Open, he’s clearly learnt his lesson, even if that meant sacrificing a chance at history.

The new Masters 1000 format has ruined the Canadian Open

If anyone is really to blame for this decision, it’s not Sinner; it’s those who put the plans in place to create these 12-day Masters 1000 events.

Even making the gap between Wimbledon and the Canadian Open three weeks long was not enough to tempt the ATP’s biggest names.

This new format has drawn widespread criticism, not least from the players forced to endure it.

Vocal detractors range from Alcaraz to Iga Swiatek, Alexander Zverev to Djokovic.

And yet, the ATP and WTA continue to blindly plough forward, parading player welfare as the main reason for this alteration.

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This is the second straight year that Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic have all missed the Canadian Open, directly coinciding with when the format changed.

This decision might just have killed one of the biggest tournaments on the tennis calendar.