Zverev leads depleted Montréal field and hits out at bonus schemes for star players
Alexander Zverev arrives at the Canadian Open in Montréal as top seed, using the stage to dismiss bonus payments and sanctions as ways to lure the sport's absent stars.
Alexander Zverev is the top seed at the 2026 Canadian Open in Montréal, with Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz absent from the draw. Zverev dismissed bonus payments and sanctions as ways to attract star players, arguing extra money means little to wealthy elite players.
Alexander Zverev arrived in Montréal as the top seed at the 2026 Canadian Open, with the tournament's biggest names missing from the draw. According to reports, Jannik Sinner withdrew to rest, Carlos Alcaraz is out injured, and Novak Djokovic is also absent — leaving the German as the clear headliner at the National Bank Open. Zverev, 29, is enjoying the strongest season of his career. He won the 2026 French Open, his first and so far only Grand Slam title, then reached the Wimbledon final, where he lost to Sinner 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4 in what reports described as a match in which he appeared troubled by a knee issue. A former world number two, he holds 25 ATP Tour singles titles, seven Masters 1000 trophies and two ATP Finals crowns. Speaking in Montréal, Zverev pushed back against proposals to lure star players to Masters events with bigger bonuses or sanctions, arguing that extra money means little to multimillionaire players. His comments land as the sport wrestles with an increasingly congested calendar.
Top seed in Montréal as the big names stay away
Alexander Zverev arrived at the 2026 Canadian Open in Montréal as the top seed, headlining a draw missing several of the sport's biggest names. According to reports, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are all absent from the field. Sinner reportedly withdrew to rest, while Alcaraz is out injured.
Zverev's build-up to the North American hardcourt swing took an unusual route. Reports say he prepared at Rafael Nadal's academy in Mallorca before travelling to Canada, and that Nadal and his sister Maribel sent him messages after hosting him ahead of his Montréal campaign.
In Montréal, Zverev also took part in an ice tennis exhibition and practice session with Canadian specialist Rob Worling ahead of the National Bank Open, according to reports.
Zverev rejects bonuses and sanctions as answers for Masters events
Alexander Zverev has pushed back against the idea that financial incentives could tempt Novak Djokovic to play in Montréal. According to reports, the German cited a figure of 400 million dollars in reference to Djokovic's wealth, arguing that a player of such means would not be swayed by extra money.
Zverev extended the argument to the wider debate over bloated Masters events. Sanctions, he said, would not solve the problem, because more money makes no difference to the elite multimillionaire players involved. Reports also indicate he questioned the use of bonus payments and ranking penalties as tools to lure star names to tournaments, casting doubt on whether either approach could compel the sport's biggest draws to appear.
His remarks came as the Canadian Open proceeded without several of the game's leading figures, lending his criticism particular weight.
From French Open triumph to Wimbledon final defeat
Zverev arrived in Montréal off the back of his most successful season to date. He won the 2026 French Open, his only Grand Slam title so far, then went on to reach the Wimbledon final. There he lost to Jannik Sinner, with reports putting the score at 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4 — a result that handed the Italian a second consecutive Wimbledon crown.
According to reports, Zverev appeared troubled by a knee issue during the final, though the extent of the problem remains unclear. After the tournament, he said he had pushed both Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner to their limits, a claim he repeated as he turned his attention to the North American hardcourt swing.
Zverev won the ATP Finals for the first time.
Zverev won a singles gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Zverev won the ATP Finals for a second time.
Zverev reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of world number two.
Zverev won the French Open.
Zverev lost the Wimbledon final to Jannik Sinner 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4, giving Sinner a second consecutive title.
Zverev appeared troubled by a knee issue during the Wimbledon final.
Zverev said he had pushed Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to their limits.
Zverev prepared for the North American hardcourt swing at Rafael Nadal's academy in Mallorca, and Nadal and his sister Maribel later sent him messages.
Zverev entered the Montréal tournament as top seed, with Sinner, Djokovic and Alcaraz absent from the draw.
Zverev took part in an ice tennis exhibition and practice session with Canadian ice tennis player Rob Worling ahead of the National Bank Open.
Zverev dismissed the idea that larger bonuses could attract Djokovic, questioned bonus and ranking penalties, and argued sanctions would not fix bloated Masters events.
A proven champion still chasing hardcourt momentum
The German, known to fans as Sascha, arrives in Montréal with one of the most decorated CVs in the men's game. He has collected 25 ATP Tour singles titles, including seven at Masters 1000 level, and twice lifted the season-ending ATP Finals trophy, in 2018 and 2021. In 2021 he also claimed singles gold at the Tokyo Olympics. His career-high ranking of world number two came in June 2022.
His build-up to the National Bank Open took an unusual turn. According to reports, Zverev took part in an ice tennis exhibition and practice session with Canadian ice tennis specialist Rob Worling ahead of the tournament, trading the hardcourts for a rather colder surface as he settled into Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the top seed at the 2026 Canadian Open in Montreal?
Alexander Zverev is the top seed at the 2026 Canadian Open in Montréal, also known as the National Bank Open. According to reports, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are all absent from the draw. Sinner reportedly withdrew to rest after Wimbledon, while Alcaraz is out injured. Djokovic's reason for skipping the tournament has not been confirmed.
What happened in the Zverev vs Sinner Wimbledon 2026 final?
Zverev lost to Jannik Sinner in four sets, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4, according to reports. The victory gave Sinner a second consecutive Wimbledon title. Zverev reportedly appeared troubled by a knee issue during the match. Afterward, he said he had pushed both Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz to their limits.
What did Zverev say about Djokovic and tournament bonuses?
Zverev dismissed the idea that larger bonuses could attract Djokovic to Montréal, arguing the Serb would not be motivated by extra money given his existing wealth — reports cite a figure of 400 million dollars. Zverev also questioned bonus and ranking penalties as tools to lure star players, and said sanctions would not fix bloated Masters events since more money means little to multimillionaire elite players.
How many Grand Slam titles has Alexander Zverev won?
Zverev has won one Grand Slam title, the 2026 French Open — reported to be his only major to date. He has also won 25 ATP Tour singles titles, seven Masters 1000 tournaments, the ATP Finals in 2018 and 2021, and a singles gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. He reached a career-high ranking of world number two in June 2022.
How did Zverev prepare for the 2026 Canadian Open?
Reports say Zverev prepared for the North American hardcourt swing at Rafael Nadal's academy in Mallorca before travelling to Montréal, with Nadal and his sister Maribel later sending him messages. Ahead of the National Bank Open, he also reportedly took part in an ice tennis exhibition and practice session with Canadian ice tennis specialist Rob Worling.
Compiled from reporting by 11 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
