The Italy tennis contingent is heading across the Atlantic without its brightest star, but the North American hard-court swing kicks off today in Montreal with four Italian players eyeing opportunities while world number one Jannik Sinner takes an extended break following Wimbledon.
Why This Matters
• Flavio Cobolli leads Italy's charge as the 6th seed at the National Bank Open, with Lorenzo Musetti seeded 12th
• Matteo Arnaldi returns to the city where he reached the semifinals in 2024
• Montreal historically produces surprise champions, with six different winners in six years
• Cincinnati follows immediately after (August 13–23), then the US Open closes the season
Germany's Zverev Steps Into Vacuum at Montreal
With Carlos Alcaraz still sidelined by the wrist tendonitis that kept him out since April 2025, and Novak Djokovic opting to skip the event entirely, Germany's Alex Zverev enters as the overwhelming favorite. The runner-up from Wimbledon's final hasn't wasted time recovering, jumping straight into the grind while his Italian rival rests.
Sinner's absence marks the first Masters 1000 event this year where Italy's top-ranked player cannot add to his trophy haul. The 23-year-old from San Candido suffered a minor scare at Wimbledon after a first-round fall against Miomir Kecmanovic left blood on his shoe from a damaged toenail, but the injury proved superficial. Still, his team has chosen to prioritize recovery ahead of Cincinnati and the US Open rather than risk the quick turnaround to Montreal.
Zverev last won the Canadian event in 2017, eight years ago. He'll face a wide-open field that has historically rewarded underdogs and emerging talent over established names.
Cobolli Seeks Hard-Court Rhythm After Clay and Grass Success
Flavio Cobolli, Rome's rising talent, carries Italy's highest seeding into Quebec. The 24-year-old has spent months establishing himself among the circuit's elite on clay and grass, but now faces his first significant hard-court test since spring. Concrete presents a different challenge than the surfaces where he built his reputation this season, and Montreal offers a crucial measuring stick before the season's final major.
Cobolli draws a first-round bye and will enter in the second round, giving him time to adjust to the quicker North American conditions. His trajectory mirrors that of other Italian players who broke through on European surfaces before proving themselves on the faster American courts.
Musetti Returns From Injury, Arnaldi Eyes Repeat Magic
Lorenzo Musetti, the Carrara native seeded 12th, is still finding his footing after the injury that disrupted his Rome campaign in May. He returned last week in Washington, where he pushed through to the quarterfinals before falling in three sets to Spain's emerging talent Rafael Jodar. The loss revealed that while his fitness has returned to solid levels, consistency remains elusive.
Montreal represents a fresh start on a surface where Musetti has shown flashes but not sustained excellence. His camp views the back-to-back Masters 1000 tournaments as a two-week laboratory to refine his game ahead of Flushing Meadows.
Matteo Arnaldi, seeded 32nd, carries the best pedigree of Italy's Montreal contingent. Last year, the player shocked the draw by advancing to the semifinals, announcing himself as a player capable of giant-killing performances. He'll hope Quebec brings similar fortune, though his ranking and experience have both risen since that breakthrough run.
Luciano Darderi, the 20th seed and another Italian with a first-round bye, rounds out the quartet. His presence underscores the depth Italy has developed across the ATP rankings, with multiple players capable of deep runs at elite tournaments.
Wide-Open Draw Favors Surprise Contenders
The National Bank Open has earned a reputation as one of the tour's most unpredictable events. Its placement on the calendar—after Wimbledon but before the US Open—pushes many top players to manage fatigue, opening space for lower-seeded competitors.
Over the past six editions, six different champions have emerged, including Ben Shelton, Alexei Popyrin, and Pablo Carreno Busta. Each captured the biggest title of their careers in Canada, suggesting the tournament rewards players peaking at the right moment rather than those grinding through the entire season.
Felix Auger-Aliassime, Canada's hometown hope, enters with extra motivation after a disappointing second-round exit last year. The Canadian has struggled for consistency in 2025 but views the Montreal crowd as a potential catalyst for a resurgence. Home support has historically lifted Canadian players at this event, and Auger-Aliassime will lean heavily on that advantage.
Tsitsipas Forced Through Qualifiers Despite Recent Title
In one of the draw's stranger storylines, Stefanos Tsitsipas—fresh off a title in Gstaad—was forced into qualifying rounds to secure his spot in the main draw. The Greek star, whose ranking has slipped after an inconsistent 18 months, successfully navigated the qualifiers alongside Australia's Popyrin.
Popyrin's presence in qualifying underscores how far he's fallen since winning this same tournament last year. The 25-year-old has struggled with form and fitness, turning what should have been a title defense into a battle just to reach the first round.
Veteran Japanese player Kei Nishikori, now 36, failed to advance through qualifying, extending his slide from the top tiers of the sport. Once a fixture in late-stage Masters 1000 rounds, Nishikori's inability to even reach the main draw signals the generational shift underway on tour.
What This Means for Italian Tennis Fans
For supporters following Italy's growing tennis presence, the North American swing offers a crucial measure of depth. With Sinner sitting out Montreal, the responsibility falls to a supporting cast that has matured rapidly over the past two seasons.
Cobolli and Musetti both have the talent to reach quarterfinals or better if their draws open favorably. Arnaldi's history in Montreal makes him a legitimate dark horse, while Darderi represents the kind of threat that can disrupt higher seeds on a hot day.
The broader context matters too: Cincinnati follows immediately on August 13, and the US Open begins shortly after. This three-tournament stretch will define Italy's hard-court credentials heading into the off-season. With Alcaraz likely returning only for Cincinnati and Djokovic's schedule uncertain, opportunities exist for Italy's secondary tier to claim signature wins and climb rankings.
The National Bank Open main draw begins today, with qualifying rounds already completed over the weekend. Italy's players enter without their leader but with proven ability and favorable conditions to make noise in his absence.
