“The Grand Slams are the World Cup and Masters 1000 are Serie C”: Bertolucci explains why Sinner was right to skip Canadian Open
ATPFriday, 31 July 2026 at 21:00
Paolo Bertolucci has defended Jannik Sinner’s decision to withdraw from the Canadian Open, arguing that the world No. 1 made the right call by prioritizing his recovery and US Open preparations over chasing another historic milestone. The former Italian player and 1976 Davis Cup champion addressed the controversy in his column for Gazzetta dello Sport, insisting that Sinner’s planning should not be questioned.
Sinner’s withdrawal from Montreal immediately sparked debate because it ended his chance of becoming the first player in history to win every ATP Masters 1000 tournament in a single season. The Italian had already captured Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome in 2026, arriving at the North American hard-court swing with an extraordinary record in the category.
However, Bertolucci believes critics are focusing on the wrong achievement after an exhausting first half of the season that included the entire clay-court schedule, a difficult Roland Garros second-round defeat, and a second consecutive Wimbledon title. “He has a magnificent team behind him and he is not just a mature guy: he is much more than that. In fact, a thousand times more,” Bertolucci said.
The Italian will now return at the Cincinnati Open, where he will continue preparing for the US Open after taking additional time away from competition. Sinner’s decision comes after one of the most dominant Masters 1000 runs in tennis history, with the 24-year-old owning a 34-match winning streak in the category and a perfect 29-0 record at that level during the 2026 season.
“The Grand Slams are the World Cup”: Bertolucci explains why Sinner made the right choice
Bertolucci believes the criticism comes from placing too much importance on the Masters 1000 calendar compared to the biggest tournaments in tennis. While he acknowledged their importance, the former Davis Cup champion argued that Grand Slams remain the ultimate measure of greatness.
“The Masters 1000s are Serie C and many still haven’t understood that,” the former world No. 12 wrote. “There are the Grand Slams, and the Slams are the World Cup. Those are the ones that count."
Jannik Sinner won his second Wimbledon title after defeating Alexander Zverev in the final. He had already won five Grand Slam titles.
The Italian continued by comparing the hierarchy of tournaments, highlighting that even the ATP Finals sit above the Masters 1000 events in terms of prestige. “Then, as an alternative, as a second solution, there are the ATP Finals played in Turin. Only after that come the 1000s: they are important, but up to a certain point.”
Bertolucci added that Masters 1000 events often serve as preparation for the Grand Slams rather than objectives that should compromise a player’s physical condition. In his view, Sinner’s decision follows the same logic used by the greatest champions throughout tennis history. “I’m not saying they are exclusively preparation for Grand Slams, but they are very close to that.”
“It is a tin medal”: Bertolucci dismisses Sinner’s missed history-making opportunity
Sinner’s withdrawal ended his hopes of completing a calendar sweep of all nine Masters 1000 tournaments, something no male player has achieved. However, Bertolucci believes the physical cost of chasing that record would not justify the reward, especially with another Grand Slam opportunity approaching.
“Besides the fact that breaking this record is extremely difficult, there are still four Masters 1000 events left, so it is very difficult to win them all,” Bertolucci said. “But beyond that, when you have won everything, what will you have achieved? It is a tin medal that you put on your chest, just tin, that gives you nothing and could physically destroy you.”
Jannik Sinner won all five Masters 1000 events he entered this year and completed the Career Golden Masters by winning all nine active Masters 1000 tournaments at least once during his career.
For Bertolucci, the real prize waiting for Sinner is the US Open, where the Italian will attempt to defend his 2024 title and add another chapter to his rapidly growing legacy. “A Grand Slam victory covers you in glory,” he added.
Bertolucci finished his argument by pointing to the way fans remember the careers of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, whose legacies are immediately connected with their Grand Slam totals rather than their Masters 1000 records.
“How many Grand Slams has Djokovic won? 24. How many has Nadal won? 22. How many has Federer won? 20. Perfect. How many Masters 1000 titles has Djokovic won? Who knows. And Nadal? Who knows. Federer? I don’t know. That’s tennis.”
Sinner will now focus on Cincinnati before heading toward Flushing Meadows, where he could face another major challenge from Carlos Alcaraz. After losing the 2025 US Open final to the Spaniard, the world No. 1 will arrive in New York determined to reclaim the title — and Bertolucci believes that goal matters far more than any missed opportunity in Canada.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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