The 2023 Canadian Open in Toronto is a true highlight of the US Open hard court swing with the action shifting to two of the biggest cities with the former hosting ATP honours between August 7-13, 2023.

With the draw now confirmed, TennisUpToDate runs the rule over the main talking points heading into a week of ATP 1000 action headlined by Carlos Alcaraz.

Returning with a new skin fade haircut and likely a fresh impetus after his breakout grass court swing, Carlos Alcaraz was straight back into action after Wimbledon at the Hopman Cup. Despite a poor effort for Spain, he stayed true to his commitments and the same can be said for the double header of ATP 1000 action.

After winning the US Open last year, the Spaniard will have his sights set on dominating the North American hard court swing starting in Canada. It could be a popcorn tie no matter what to start. He faces either Ben Shelton or Bernabe Zapata Mirallas, the rising American returning back home in the coming weeks after a year out on the road and some believe could join Alcaraz in being a Grand Slam champion and a forerunner in the years to come.

But while the draw benefits from having Carlos Alcaraz in its line-up, one glaring omission is Novak Djokovic. Citing fatigue from a match he played three weeks ago against Alcaraz at Wimbledon, he has been away with his family and grown a new beard. Not one massively for pre tournament warm-ups, he joins the party in Cincinnati. But with the latter getting him, those in Toronto will feel aggrieved at his absence. But it will be a US Open hard court swing that will feature him for the first time in two years after vaccination didn't allow him in last time.

Others missing though which is a theme of both ATP and WTA are the defending champion with Pablo Carreno-Busta who had a magical run 12 months ago not set to defend his crown. Albeit for different reasons to Simona Halep. Rafael Nadal of course with his farewell tour on the horizon is also out, as is Nick Kyrgios who is yet to recover from his knee surgery and has taken more time on Twitter than on a tennis court in recent months.

Who are the leading forerunners joining Alcaraz then? Daniil Medvedev despite not playing Washington will be involved. As will Casper Ruud, Holger Rune, Jannik Sinner, Stefanos Tsitsipas who are involved. As are home hopes in Milos Raonic and Felix Auger-Aliassime. They will more than likely get some sort of Centre Court billing over the next week or so and will hope to rise to the occasion.