On Tuesday, Tennis Canada announced that World No.2 Naomi Osaka, No.4 Sofia Kenin and No.8 Iga Swiatek have withdrawn from the 2021 National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Montréal.
Osaka and Swiatek recently represented their countries at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Naomi Osaka bowed out in the third round to eventual finalist Marketa Vondrousova, and Iga Swiatek lost in the second round to Paula Badosa of Spain. Sofia Kenin has been away from the game since Wimbledon due to a foot injury.
“I am sorry to be missing out on Montréal this year,” said Osaka. “Sending my best to all the fans there, the tournament and the staff. I hope to see you all in Canada next year.”
“I am very sorry but this year I will not be able to play in Montréal,” said Swiatek. “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.”
“I’m really disappointed to withdraw from the event in Montréal next week,” said Kenin. “While I’m making progress, my foot injury is not where I need it to be to play at the highest level. I feel another week of recovery and rehab is necessary. I want to thank Tennis Canada for all its efforts in holding the event during such challenging times. Best of luck to all the players.”
“Of course, we are disappointed that Naomi, Sofia and Iga won’t be competing in Montréal this year,” affirmed tournament director Eugène Lapierre. “But despite their withdrawals, we are still counting on the exceptional players in the draw, including the 2019 champion, our very own Bianca Andreescu, as well as World No.3 Aryna Sabalenka and two-time National Bank Open champion Simona Halep. Fans should expect a few surprises because the draw has so much depth and is one of the best we’ve had in recent years. Anything is possible, and that means some exciting tennis is in store!”
Changes to the main draw
With Osaka, Kenin and Swiatek out, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus becomes the first seed. No.51 Shuai Zhang of China, No.52 Marie Bouzkova of Czechia and No.54 Liudmila Samsonova of Russia move into the main draw.
