"How much he plays is very different than any player because every match he is supposed to win" - Rick Macci on board with Sinner's pragmatic Canadian Open withdrawal

Jannik Sinner's decision to skip the Canadian Open has left fans and analysists split with what they think on the situation. A tricky choice ended up in a second year away from the tournament for the world number one. His choice has been supported by legendary coach Rick Macci who relied on his team knowing what is best.

The reason why this decision may be getting so many turned heads is that Sinner is currently on an unprecedented Masters 1000 streak, and that will be halted when he does not show up to Montreal.

Since the Paris Masters, the Italian has not lost a single match and barely a set at that. Six tournaments have come and gone with him lifting the title, the most ever. If he would have competed, he would be the overwhelming favourite to make that seven with a second title at the Canadian Open.

While the possibility of history is a tantalising one, the risk of competing seems too much. Right afterwards, another Masters 1000 tournament in the form of the Cincinnati Open is set to take place with just a week in between that and the highly anticipated US Open. Bigger priorities for Sinner who will set his sights on winning another Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.

“After carefully evaluating all the factors with my team, we made the difficult decision to withdraw from Montreal," he said. "It’s never easy to forgo such an important event, but we believe it’s the right decision; my health is the priority. I regret not being able to attend, but I look forward to returning to Montreal in the future.”

A sense of bemusement and confusion surrounds this Sinner decision. He is on the roll of his life at this level and it seems to make sense that he just ploughs on in an attempt to continue this domination, capitalising on Carlos Alcaraz still being on the sidelines through a wrist injury.

While many have disagreed with his withdrawal, Macci has a more logical perspective on it. The former coach has worked alongside the likes of Serena and Venus Williams, Andy Roddick, Jennifer Capriati and Maria Sharapova.

The American cited the number of matches Sinner would inevitably play if he went deep in the tournament, which was very likely, and this coming right before the trips to Cincinnati and New York. "Sinner and his team know what is best mentally and physically for him," he wrote on X. "How much he plays is very different than any player because every match he is supposed to win. That is a different mental vibe than any player on tour."

He backed Sinner's choice and trusted in him and his team's decision. "To be highly motivated every match and have the juices flowing and not blink is mental magic. The Italian Flamethrower knows the feeling so he can be dealing."

If Sinner was going to play in all three big North American hardcourt swing tournaments and reach the final in every single one, that would mean a whopping 19 matches would be competed in the space of around 40 days. That is a match every couple of days.

Little rest while playing constantly the best players in the world at the highest level is a huge risk to take. The consequences could be detrimental with fatigue or even injury a possible problem, making the withdrawal from the Canadian Open a pragmatic and cautious decision.

But the five-time Grand Slam champion already knows this feeling. Following his Sunshine double, he traversed to the Monte-Carlo Masters. A week later, he sensed an opportunity in Madrid and jumped all over it as Alcaraz watched on. Straight after, he won on home soil in Rome with just a week to prepare for Roland Garros, in which he collapsed in the second round.

That is a risk he dearly does not want to occur again. Especially heading into the US Open, he wants his crown back. Losing to Alcaraz last year as the Spaniard extracted revenge from Wimbledon, Sinner now feels like it is his time to get back on the top step of the podium in New York.