"They don't care anymore. They prefer having 12 days of TV rights" - Sam Querrey puzzled over Canadian Open's priorities after Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic withdrawals

The Masters 1000 format has come under some criticism as of late. Once spanning over seven days with 56 players, the majority of them have increased to 12 days and 96 players. A vastly unpopular move, Sam Querrey has lambasted the Canadian Open for this move as they face the consequences.

Those being the fact that Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will not participate. The trio's absence leaves a big hole in the tournament that will not be filled for a second year running, preventing the Canadian tennis fans from watching them.

Alcaraz is still recovering from his wrist injury picked up in mid-April at the Barcelona Open. His fitness is still up in the air with the Spaniard choosing not to make the trip to Montreal.

The same can be said for Sinner and Djokovic. The World No.2 cited health reasons for not going, preserving his body for the Cincinnati Open ahead of the important US Open. If he was set to participate in both, it would be a lot of tennis with him likely to win both tournaments ahead of the trip to Flushing Meadows.

This burnout has been showcased with his already impeccable form at Masters 1000 level. Winning all five titles this year has come at a cost with his Roland Garros campaign ending spectacularly early following a remarkably busy period. This was also hampered by the format of the tournaments with more matches being played detrimental to him, and one of the reasons why he is not competing in the Canadian Open.

Former Wimbledon semi-finalist Querrey was hugely critical of the format now being implemented. The decision by the Canadian Open was seen as one to grab more money rather than entice the best players in the world, and that decision is being showcased for the second year running.

On the Nothing Major podcast, he said: "Do you think the Canadian Open would prefer a 12-day tournament without Carlos, Jannik, and Novak, or a 7-day tournament with those three players? I think they'd choose the 12-day tournament without them. They don't care anymore. They prefer having 12 days of TV rights."

The ATP made this move to get tournaments closer to the Grand Slam model. Those major tournaments span over two weeks and boasts 128 players.

Not all the Masters 1000 events are now 12 days long with the Monte-Carlo Masters and Paris Masters the only two that have remained seven days. The Madrid Open, Rome Open, Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open, and Shanghai Masters have all experienced change in recent times while Indian Wells and Miami Open have both traditionally stuck at 12 days.

Tennis players are now spending more time on the court in what is already a jam-packed calendar as they try and keep up with their rivals, not wanting to fall behind. Rest is needed, especially by the top players who will naturally play more than the lower ranked players at this level with deep runs more likely.

The Canadian Open now does not have the prestige of other tournaments in the North American hardcourt swing, especially in recent times as they miss out on hosting the three best players in the world who look onto the next events. The swing has already started with the DC Open and Los Cabos Open commencing. Following trips to Montreal and Cincinnati, the fourth and final Grand Slam will take place in New York with that the priority for many players.