Ben Shelton’s final with Karen Khachanov has highlighted an issue which modern tennis needs to overcome

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The Canadian Open final saw Ben Shelton clinch the biggest title of his career, after he defeated Karen Khachanov over three sets.

He beat Khachanov 6-7, 6-4, 6-7 in what was Shelton’s first ATP Masters 1000 final, having only reached the quarterfinals before, in Cincinnati, Indian Wells and Shanghai.

The Russian, on the other hand, was appearing in the championship match of a Masters event for the first time since 2018.

The two played out an entertaining three sets, after many appeared to be underwhelmed by the matchup when the final was confirmed.

The issue with ATP Masters 1000 events in 2025

Several fans took to social media following the semifinals to voice their displeasure, including one user who claimed: “Masters 1000 used to mean something.”

Others added statements such as: “Imagine paying for this,” and “ATP 250 Toronto.”

Though the criticism may sound harsh, there is an element of truth to it, and when comparing ATP Masters 1000 events today with the mid-2010s, there is certainly a vast difference.

In 2015, for example, at least one member of the ‘big four’ appeared in the finals throughout the entire Masters series, with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray headlining each event.

The tournaments almost had the same draw power as Grand Slams during that time; something that can’t be said of today’s game.

Last year, just four finals featured one of the ‘new two’, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who, at the moment, look to be the only two players capable of reaching the dizzy heights of their idols.

Only two Masters finals out of six have seen one of Alcaraz or Sinner in 2025 so far.

Shelton’s bout with Khachanov was exciting, but without the star power of the Spaniard, the Italian, and Djokovic, the Canadian Open final didn’t capture the viewership it would have initially hoped to.

As the Serb approaches the end of his career, Alcaraz and Sinner will need a third and potentially fourth star to match their level in order for the Masters 1000s to regain their glamour.

Every ATP Masters 1000 final of 2025 so far

The Masters series kicked off at Indian Wells this year, and after Alcaraz bowed out in the semifinal, the final pitted Jack Draper against Holger Rune.

In Miami, Djokovic had an impressive campaign, and reached the last stage of the tournament, where he lost to Jakub Mensik.

The Monte-Carlo Masters final was between Alcaraz and Lorenzo Musetti, and the championship match in Madrid saw Draper against Casper Ruud.

At the Italian Open, Sinner returned from his three-month ban and went all the way in Rome, before falling at the last hurdle to his Roland Garros conqueror.