Welcome to the Road to the National Bank Open. Every week, we will keep you updated on all the action on the WTA Tour as we build towards the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Toronto, which takes place from Aug. 8 to 14.
DAYS UNTIL THE NATIONAL BANK OPEN: 24
The player list for this summer’s edition of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers was unveiled and features 41 of the top 43 WTA players in the world, including World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, Ons Jabeur, and Naomi Osaka.
Canadian Bianca Andreescu, the tournament champion in 2019, will return to play in her hometown after being awarded a Top 20 wildcard. She’ll play her opening match during the night session on Tuesday, August 9. Her compatriot and world no. 14 Leylah Fernandez will join her in the draw.
Without a doubt though, the biggest name coming to Toronto next month is none other than the legendary Serena Williams who has used her protected ranking to play the National Bank Open after making her much-anticipated return to tennis at Wimbledon following a one-year absence.
Williams is a three-time champion of our Canadian stop on the Tour and reached the final three years ago during her last visit. It is and will always be an incredible privilege to welcome the greatest player the women’s game has ever seen to Toronto.
ON-COURT ACTION:
LAUSANNE
Before the WTA arrives to Sobeys Stadium, there are several tournaments to take care of first, including a pair of clay court events this week.
In Lausanne, Belinda Bencic, Sara Sorribes Tormo, and Caroline Garcia are the top seeds remaining as Bencic looks to win a title on home soil.
BUDAPEST
Meanwhile, in Budapest, Yulia Putintseva and Martina Trevisan, who defeated Fernandez in the quarter-finals at Roland-Garros, remain in contention for the trophy.
STORIES TO WATCH:
CAN JULE NEIMEIER KEEP IT ROLLING?
Germany’s Jule Niemeier, who made a surprise run to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, reached the final eight in Lausanne as she appears unphased by the quick surface change. Can she carry her momentum through the summer?
FEATS OF CLAY
The best players in the world will be back playing on the red dirt over the next few weeks before transitioning to the North American hard court season at the beginning of August, making stops in Hamburg, Palermo, and Warsaw in addition to hard court tournament in Prague at the end of the month.
OFF-COURT BUZZ:
Iga Swiatek enjoyed a well-deserved vacation after seeing her historic win streak halted at Wimbledon. But don’t worry, she’s already back in the gym getting ready for Toronto and the summer hard court swing!
While in London for Wimbledon, Serena enjoyed afternoon tea with her daughter Olympia.
Emma Raducanu has a thing for fancy cars.
Don’t miss your chance to see the best WTA players up close this summer. Get your tickets now!
