Alexander Zverev expressed disappointment over the withdrawals of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic from the National Bank Open, but acknowledged understanding of their decisions. Speaking Sunday at IGA Stadium in Montreal, the world No. 2 and tournament top seed reflected on his recent encounters with Sinner, who has defeated him in all five of their meetings this season, including high-profile finals in Madrid and Wimbledon.

“I think you want to be competing against the best, especially before the U.S. Open,” Zverev said, noting the importance of facing top opponents ahead of Grand Slam events. He also revealed that he and his team briefly considered skipping Montreal this year before ultimately deciding to participate.

Zverev, 29, described the repeated losses to Sinner as a sign of stability and consistency for both players throughout the season. Despite the setbacks, he said the rivalry underscored that they are among the most reliable performers on tour.

Following his French Open victory in June, which marked his first Grand Slam title, Zverev said the win brought personal satisfaction but did not drastically alter his approach. “The work continues,” he said, emphasizing his focus on the North American Masters 1000 tournaments leading up to the U.S. Open.

To prepare, Zverev took only a brief break after Wimbledon before returning to training, highlighting the importance of match-play in maintaining comfort on court. He acknowledged that different players have varying strategies when it comes to scheduling and expressed empathy toward Sinner and Djokovic for skipping the Montreal event.

Regarding the ongoing discussion about player participation in Masters 1000 tournaments, Zverev voiced skepticism about efforts to compel players to compete in these often two-week-long events. He contrasted current tournament lengths with earlier formats, recalling when Masters events were shorter, allowing players more scheduling flexibility.

Zverev also dismissed the idea that financial bonuses for playing all nine Masters 1000 events are a significant motivator for top players like Djokovic, noting the Serbian’s substantial career earnings.

Despite his critiques of the extended Masters format, Zverev remains optimistic about using the National Bank Open as a stepping stone for the hard-court season. He aims to improve his performance in Cincinnati, the next Masters event, before peaking at the U.S. Open in New York. Zverev is also a former Montreal champion, having won the tournament in 2017.