Félix Auger-Aliassime has withdrawn from the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Montreal due to a back injury, leaving fans disappointed.
Why it matters: Auger-Aliassime's exit marks a tough blow for Canadian tennis as he is one of the top seeds and a local favorite. His withdrawal highlights the physical challenges athletes face during high-stakes tournaments.
Auger-Aliassime, ranked No. 4, was set to face French qualifier Titouan Droguet on August 5, 2026.
The tournament runs from August 2 to August 13, 2026, and is a key event leading up to the US Open.
His injury comes after a successful training period of two weeks without issues.
Auger-Aliassime's decision to withdraw reflects his experience with past injuries, stating, "From my experience, when I felt like I felt today, it wasn't going to go well on court,"
Driving the news: The Montreal Open has seen multiple withdrawals due to injuries, with Auger-Aliassime's announcement coming shortly after Alexander Zverev, the tournament's top seed, also exited the competition.
Zverev lost to Tallon Griekspoor in a surprising upset, marking a difficult day for the tournament.
Auger-Aliassime experienced sudden back pain starting Monday, just days before his match.
He attempted to warm up on match day but found he could not serve, making competition impossible.
His withdrawal follows fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov's retirement earlier in the tournament due to injury.
State of play: The National Bank Open has turned chaotic, with several top players exiting early.
Besides Auger-Aliassime and Zverev, Taylor Fritz, the American No. 7 seed, also faced an upset, losing to Thiago Agustin Tirante.
Gabriel Diallo, another Canadian player, retired from his match against Luciano Darderi due to injury.
Ben Shelton, the defending champion, continues his title defense and is viewed as a strong contender following his opening win.
The tournament's atmosphere is tense as injuries pile up, impacting the competition significantly.
The big picture: Auger-Aliassime's withdrawal is emblematic of the physical toll of professional tennis, especially during intense tournaments.
He entered the National Bank Open with high hopes following quarterfinal appearances at both the French Open and Wimbledon.
His absence raises questions about his fitness ahead of the US Open, which is just weeks away.
Injuries have plagued several players this season, including Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have also faced setbacks.
As the tournament progresses, the remaining players will need to navigate their opponents and the physical demands of the game.
What they're saying: Auger-Aliassime expressed disappointment over his sudden injury during a press conference.
"It was quite sudden," he said, emphasizing the unexpected nature of his back pain.
He noted, "I thought that day by day things would get worse," illustrating the frustration athletes feel when injuries disrupt their plans.
Fans and analysts alike are concerned about the impact of these injuries on the tournament's outcome and the players' performance in future competitions.
Auger-Aliassime and Diallo were also scheduled to compete in doubles, adding to the disappointment for local supporters.
By the numbers: The National Bank Open has witnessed a series of early exits from seeded players.
Both the No. 1 seed, Alexander Zverev, and the No. 2 seed, Félix Auger-Aliassime, withdrew within hours of each other.
Auger-Aliassime's ranking of No. 4 is a career high, achieved after impressive performances earlier in the season.
The tournament's schedule features matches starting at 11 a.m. daily, with Auger-Aliassime's match originally slated for not before 7 p.m. on August 5.
Players like Ben Shelton and Daniil Medvedev are now positioned as the top contenders following these withdrawals.
What's next: As the National Bank Open progresses, the focus shifts to the remaining competitors.
Defending champion Ben Shelton is set to face Jenson Brooksby in the next round, hoping to build momentum.
With Auger-Aliassime and Zverev out, the path is clearer for lower-seeded players to advance.
Fans will follow closely closely to see how other top players manage their fitness as the tournament continues.
Auger-Aliassime's recovery will be watched closely as he aims for a strong comeback ahead of the US Open.