National Bank Open to be “Redefined” Starting in…

The summer time of 2025 will kickstart a brand new period for the Nationwide Financial institution Open introduced by Rogers (NBO) as Canada’s showpiece match is redefined each on and off the courtroom with the introduction of an expanded schedule and bigger draw. On Wednesday, Tennis Canada confirmed the dates for subsequent yr’s tournaments in Toronto and Montreal, which is able to embody 96 singles gamers in the principle draw, competing over 12 days.

This improve in standing sees the NBO be a part of an elite group of six prolonged mixed occasions on the WTA and ATP Excursions, bringing the format of Canada’s premier tennis tournaments nearer to that of a Grand Slam.

Watch the video beneath as the brand new format is defined. Click on here to see the total 2025 schedule.

MORE WORLD-CLASS TENNIS OVER MORE DAYS AND SESSIONS*

• A one-day, 32-player qualifying format shall be launched, commencing on Saturday, July 26 with important draw motion getting underway on Sunday, July 27 in each cities.
• The primary draw participant discipline will develop from the earlier 56 to 96 and a complete of seven periods shall be added, together with a complete new spherical to the match.
• Quarter-finals shall be unfold over two days (Monday, August 4 and Tuesday, August 5) and shall be performed solely throughout night time periods. In the meantime, our two semi-finals shall be throughout a single-night session on Wednesday, August 6.
• The ladies’s and males’s finals will happen on Thursday, August 7 with our champions additionally set to be topped underneath the lights throughout night time periods at Sobeys Stadium and Stade IGA.
• In doubles, we may also transfer from a draw of 28 groups to 32.

Leylah Annie Fernandez, Laval, QC native and No. 33 on the WTA Tour, stated: “As Canadians, it’s nice to see our house occasion getting even larger and higher. It’s at all times a spotlight of the yr to play on the Nationwide Financial institution Open in Montreal or Toronto, and I can’t wait to see the constructive influence this new format may have on the followers, the cities and Canadian tennis.”

Félix Auger-Aliassime, Montreal, QC native and World No. 18 on the ATP Tour, added: “The Nationwide Financial institution Open has at all times been a supply of nice satisfaction for us as Canadian gamers. This new format is one we’re actually enthusiastic about and it’s improbable to see the tournaments proceed to evolve and enhance. We’re positive the game will proceed to develop, and much more Canadians shall be impressed to select up a racquet consequently.”

*Schedule is topic to vary.

ELEVATED EVENT, ELEVATED FAN EXPERIENCE

• The NBO shall be redefined off the courtroom too, ushering in an enhanced fan expertise and bringing much more selection to our attendees.
• On-site programming will tackle a brand new lease of life, with much more enjoyable actions and participant engagement alternatives for followers of all ages.
• As at all times, the 407 ETR (Toronto) and IGA (Montreal) Household Weekend will stay vital pillars of the occasions in each cities.

Valerie Tetreault, Match Director, Nationwide Financial institution Open – Montreal, stated: “As we proceed to raise our tournaments each on and off the courtroom, at present’s announcement is a major one for the way forward for our occasions. It’s a actual vote of confidence from the Excursions because of the constructive status we’ve on the worldwide stage because of our loyal followers, companions and volunteers. With this enlargement, the Nationwide Financial institution Open is getting nearer to a Grand Slam format, which may have a constructive influence on gamers and followers. It can additionally provide the cities of Montreal and Toronto the chance to profit from an excellent bigger platform to shine on the worldwide stage.”

Karl Hale, Match Director, Nationwide Financial institution Open – Toronto, added: “The fan and participant expertise are at all times prime of our listing of priorities. This new format will see the Nationwide Financial institution Open go to a brand new degree in each classes, enhancing the motion on-court and providing followers much more alternatives to interact with our tournaments and athletes. We want to thank the WTA and ATP Excursions, and the gamers, for all of the constructive work and discussions in shifting to this expanded schedule. We’re wanting ahead to introducing everybody to a redefined Nationwide Financial institution Open subsequent yr.”

IMPACT OF AN EXPANDED FORMAT

• The larger and higher participant discipline shall be supplied with a relaxation day in between matches, up till the semi-finals, to make sure optimized participant well being, restoration time and prime efficiency ranges.
• On the pathway to equal prize cash on the NBO in 2027, the enlargement to a 12-day mannequin will see a rise in prize cash for ladies’s gamers from 2025 onwards.
• Within the coming years, following the incrementally elevated income from an expanded occasion, Tennis Canada plans to speculate extra within the development and improvement of tennis in Canada, and the subsequent era of tennis stars.
• On account of the enlargement, Tennis Canada will obtain extra important draw singles wildcards, which means extra alternatives for Canadians to play on the NBO.
• The 12-day format shall be adopted throughout non-Olympic years solely, with the occasion reverting to a 7-day mannequin on the years the Video games happen.

Gavin Ziv, Chief Govt Officer of Tennis Canada, stated: “The Nationwide Financial institution Open introduced by Rogers has really established itself as one of many elite tennis occasions on the planet. The broader influence this enlargement may have on tennis in Canada can’t be underestimated because it brings with it the chance to encourage much more Canadians to take part within the sport. We want to thank our title associate, Nationwide Financial institution, for his or her continued funding in our occasions, which has allowed us to develop. This step, and the elevated income it is going to generate, may also be vital on our path to awarding equal prize cash for men and women’s gamers by 2027.”

CLICK HERE for extra details about the brand new format.