Carlos Alcaraz to miss Toronto: "I need to recover physically and mentally for what comes next"

The National Bank Open in Toronto suffered another blow to its field when Carlos Alcaraz withdrew on Monday.

The five-time major winner shared the update on his social media.

“After many consecutive weeks of competition without rest, I will not be able to play in Toronto this year. I have small muscles issues and I need to recover physically and mentally for what comes next,” he wrote.

Four of the ATP’s current Top 6 have now pulled out from the tournament. The absences of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Indian Wells champion Jack Draper and the all-time ATP Masters 1000 title leader Novak Djokovic were previously announced Sunday.

Alcaraz is coming off a runner-up finish to Sinner at Wimbledon, his first defeat in a Grand Slam final, after rallying from two sets down and three championship points to successfully defend his Roland Garros crown. Two of the Spaniard’s five titles this season have come on the 1000 stage to help him stand atop the leaderboard in the race for the year-end No. 1 ranking.

Third-ranked Alexander Zverev and fourth-ranked Taylor Fritz are now projected to be the top two seeds when the National Bank Open kicks off July 27.