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Novak Djokovic withdraws from Montreal’s National Bank Open

Jul 29, 2024 | 3:51 PM

MONTREAL — The National Bank Open in Montreal lost one of its star headliners on Monday with the announcement that Novak Djokovic was pulling out of next week’s ATP 1000 tournament.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner is competing for Serbia in the men’s singles tennis competition at the Paris Olympics and has reached the third round after eliminating longtime rival Rafael Nadal of Spain on Monday.

The 37-year-old Djokovic has never won an Olympic gold medal with his best result being bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Roman Safiullin will replace Djokovic and gain automatic entry into the main draw in Montreal.

The tournament’s official draw, for both the men’s event in Montreal and the women’s event in Toronto, will be held Saturday with qualification beginning Sunday.

The Paris Olympics means this year’s National Bank Open will start and end a day later than usual.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2024.

The Canadian Press