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: 12
Beginning August 6, a total of 32 players will battle for a place in the main draw of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers during 407 ETR Family Weekend.
For the occasion, high-profile matchups will be on the schedule, featuring winners of WTA singles titles and several former Top 10 players. Leading the way is 2018 National Bank Open finalist and 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens. Caroline Garcia, a two-time quarter-finalist in Canada, will also be in the draw along with Ajla Tomljanovic, who reached the final eight at Wimbledon last month before falling to eventual champion Elena Rybakina.
Other notable names who will be in action during the first two days of the tournament include Andrea Petkovic, Petra Martic, and Donna Vekic.
The always popular 407 ETR Family Weekend is back and will include plenty of fun activities for the whole family. The best part: admission is free!
ON-COURT ACTION:
WARSAW
Warsaw, Poland is hosting the last clay court event this week before the North American hard swing kicks off in Washington. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek returns to the WTA Tour as the top seed at her home tournament and her biggest competition should come from the likes of Garcia, Martic, and Katerina Siniakova.
PRAGUE
Meanwhile, some players are already back on hard courts at the WTA 250 event in Prague. Anett Kontaveit leads the field along with defending champion Barbora Krejcikova, fellow Czech Marie Bouzkova, and Alizé Cornet.
STORIES TO WATCH:
BERNARDA PERA HITS CAREER-HIGH
Following back-to-back titles in Budapest and Hamburg, Bernarda Pera has achieved a career-high WTA ranking of no. 54. She’s won her last 12 matches without dropping a set and she is the first American to win two or more titles on clay in the same season since 2013.
GAUFF, KENIN, AND TOWNSEND ENTERTAIN IN ATLANTA EXHIBITION
World no. 11 Coco Gauff, along with her compatriots Sofia Kenin and Taylor Townsend, took part in an exhibition event on Sunday and Monday at the ATP 250 tournament currently underway in Atlanta.
As part of the event, Gauff debuted her first signature shoe with New Balance which bore one of her most favourite quotes: “You can change the world with your racket.” For her part, Townsend enjoyed the festivities with her young son Adyn.
OFF-COURT BUZZ:
Victoria Azarenka’s son, Leo, clearly gets his impressive tennis skills from his mom!
A museum has been inaugurated in Fulnek, Czech Republic, the hometown of Petra Kvitova, to honour her many achievements.
Don’t miss your chance to see the best WTA players up close this summer. Get your tickets now!
