The event will be bigger and better in more ways than one thanks to its <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/nbo-redefined" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new 12-day format</a> which will introduce additional players (from 56 to 96), rounds (seven instead of six), and sessions (21 instead of 15), not to mention a revamped on-site offering across the board from food and beverage to on-site activities and entertainment in <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/what-do-iga-stadium" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Montreal</a> and <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/toronto/what-to-do-at-sobeys-stadium">Toronto</a>. 
But what does that mean for the fan experience when it comes to the match schedule and buying tickets to see even more world-class tennis from July 26-August 7? Don’t worry, let us break it down for you. If it starts to feel like déjà vu that’s because we’re approaching the Grand Slam formula. 
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244632/NBO_Redefined_2025.webp" alt="" /></figure>
<h3>A Big Opening Weekend for Little Fans – Qualifying and First Round (July 26 and 27)</h3>
Both cities will once again kick off their festivities with the always-popular IGA Family Weekend in Montreal and the 407 ETR Family Weekend in Toronto which are tailormade for fans of all ages. Starting in 2025, qualifying will be a one-day affair on Saturday, July 26 with 32 players vying for a place in the main draw. Free grounds passes are available for the day as well as reserved seating on the main show courts starting for as little as $10. It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce your friends and family to tennis.
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244018/Family_weekend.webp" alt="" /></figure>
Both opening weekends will wrap up on the first Sunday of the tournament with a noteworthy slate of first round matchups on tap during the day and at night. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;width:432px;max-width:432px;"><a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/tickets-packages/montreals-family-experience" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244630/IGA_Family_Weekend_Montreal_CTA.webp" width="432" height="101" alt="" /></a></figure>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;width:428px;max-width:428px;"><a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/toronto/tickets-packages/torontos-family-experience" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244629/407_ETR_Family_Weekend_CTA.webp" width="428" height="116" alt="" /></a></figure>
<h3>Opening Week – First, Second, and Third Rounds (July 28 – August 1) </h3>
An expanded 96-player main draw means an extra round and a first-round bye for the top 32 seeds (previously, only the top 8 seeds were given byes), so more of the best players will debut on Tuesday or Wednesday. Each round up until the semi-finals will be contested over two days and players will also benefit from a day of rest between matches. 
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244019/Opening_Night.webp" alt="" /></figure>
Tickets for these sessions provide the most value for fans wanting to catch a glimpse of tennis’ biggest names and the next generation of stars. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/tickets-packages/montreal-single-session-tickets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244003/Montreal_Single_Session_Tickets_CTA.webp" width="432" height="101" alt="" /></a></figure>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/toronto/tickets-packages/toronto-single-session-tickets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244004/Toronto_Single_Session_Tickets.webp" width="432" height="117" alt="" /></a></figure>
<h3>Middle Weekend – Round of 16 (August 2 and 3) </h3>
The second weekend at NBO will be must-see for every tennis fan, from the avid followers to the newcomers, as the remaining 16 players go head-to-head for a place in the quarter-finals over two days and four sessions. 
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244020/Middle-Weekend.webp" alt="" /></figure>
It promises to be a hot ticket, not only because of the must-see contests, but also because of the festival-like feel that will reign around the grounds thanks to the plethora of activities and entertainment on tap. Hey, if the tennis Gods are going to bless us with a weekend in the middle of our tournament, we’re going to take full advantage. And while we’re at it, may we recommend our multi-session packages that allow you to attend as many sessions of your choice as you want at a preferred rate. It’s your chance to build your own tennis adventure. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/tickets-packages/montreal-multi-session-packages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244005/Montreal-Multi-Session-Packages.webp" width="433" height="101" alt="" /></a></figure>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/toronto/tickets-packages/toronto-multi-session-packages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244006/Toronto-Multi-Session-Packages.webp" width="432" height="117" alt="" /></a></figure>
<h3>Second Week – Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Finals (August 4-7) </h3>
Speaking of a hot ticket, popular will surely be used to describe what’s on offer during week two with the final three rounds of the tournament set to be held exclusively on Centre Court and exclusively at night over a period of four days, offering more matches in primetime, elevating the experience for fans on-site and those watching from home. 
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244021/Second-Weekend.webp" alt="" /></figure>
The inaugural edition of NBO Redefined will culminate with the crowning of our 2025 singles and doubles champions under the lights on Thursday, August 7. 
Given these additional opportunities to enjoy the excitement of a live sporting event, our ticket options provide you the flexibility to hand pick the products that best suits your schedule, your passion for tennis, and your budget. There’s something for everyone including the diehard fan who is eager to attend all 21 sessions and share the ultimate tennis experience with their guest list. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/tickets-packages/montreal-full-event-packages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244007/Montreal_Full_Event_Packages_CTA.webp" width="433" height="101" alt="" /></a></figure>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/toronto/tickets-packages/toronto-full-event-packages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244008/Toronto_Full_Event_Packages.webp" width="432" height="117" alt="" /></a></figure>
The 2025 National Bank Open may mark the dawn of a new era for tennis in Canada, but the familiarity of its welcoming nature, vibrant energy, and electric atmosphere will still make it feel like the good old days. 
DID YOU KNOW THAT THE NBO IS A TENNIS CANADA EVENT 
By attending the tournament, you are <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/donate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contributing to a brighter future for tennis in Canada.</a>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12240354/OBN_Tournament_Calendar.webp" width="826" height="594" alt="" /></figure>
*Dates, schedules, sessions, and programming are subject to change.
 
Serving the Best Deals of the Season 
Our Black Friday offers have dropped, and they won’t be around for long so don’t wait! 
In Montreal, we’re celebrating the return of the WTA Tour to IGA Stadium by offering 25% off select Centre Court tickets from Sunday, July 27 to Thursday, July 31 (sessions 1-10) with seats available starting at just $25. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/tickets-packages/montreal-single-session-tickets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244029/600x400_NBO_GIF_BF_EN.webp" alt="" /></a></figure>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/tickets-packages/montreal-single-session-tickets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244009/Montreals_Black_Friday_CTA.webp" width="433" height="101" alt="" /></a></figure>
 
Meanwhile, in Toronto, be there to celebrate Opening Day or Night on Sunday, July 27 at Sobeys Stadium when you purchase select lower bowl tickets at 40% off. It’s a one-of-a-kind deal to see the best of the ATP Tour that shouldn’t be passed up. 
<figure><a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/toronto/tickets-packages/toronto-single-session-tickets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244030/600x400_OBN_BF_GIF_TOR_EN.webp" alt="" /></a></figure>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/toronto/tickets-packages/toronto-single-session-tickets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12244010/Torontos_Black_Friday_CTA.webp" width="433" height="101" alt="" /></a></figure>

Tournament News

The Ultimate Ticket Guide to the 2025 NBO Redefined Experience

It may seem gloomy to kick off the best of 2024 with the Spanish king’s abdication rather than the Italian prince’s coronation, but a legend taking his leave is significant. 
<h3>¡Adiós al Rey ! </h3>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12244195/Gracias-Rafa-Stadio-de-Malaga-Nov.-2024.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : @TheTennisLetter</figcaption></figure>
A 28,000-square-foot banner the width of a stadium. It was likely one of the most gigantic posters in sports history and no doubt on par with the illustriousness of the man for whom it was intended.
The whopping thank you hung as Rafael Nadal Parera, eternal king of clay and vice-GOAT as far as Slams, competed in his final tournament. On November 19, the Malaga venue that hosted the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup finals had the sentimental honour of seeing him off. 
 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12244200/Nadal-adieux-Malaga-2024.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : ATP</figcaption></figure>
Spain’s Raging Bull gave it his all, but time waits for no one.
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/king-canada-revisiting-rafael-nadals-five-titles-national-bank-open" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King of Canada - Revisiting Rafael Nadal’s Five Titles at the National Bank Open</a>
It was curtains in his home country, though his most beloved venue remains Stade Roland-Garros where he was handed an unbelievable 14 trophies (112-4). He won 63 of his 92 total titles on clay. 
 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12244197/Montage-Nadal-action-FFT-Guardian.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photos : FFT &amp; The Guardian</figcaption></figure>
At the Davis Cup, he lost his only singles match as Spain was ousted 2-1 by the Netherlands. After the match, a lengthy ceremony included <a href="https://url.avanan.click/v2/r03/___https://x.com/TennisTV/status/1859017850687811805___.YXYyYzp0ZW5uaXNjYW5hZGE6YTpvOjRiZmI4OWFmMjA0YmJkNDhkZDU2ZjY2MDk3MGQ1M2Y0Ojc6MzFkNzowY2E4NjliYThlNDMzNjMyMjE3NWEyYzQ3YzkxOWE2YjVmNjM0MTJmZDZhZGEzYmVhYmQyNWMwN2JjYTE2MTk3OnA6VDpO" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a moving montage featuring some of Spain’s most decorated athletes</a> and Rafa’s three amigos in the Big Four. 
<h4>Nadal by the numbers </h4>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12244199/Nadal-2-époques-IG-AP.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photos : IG &amp; AP</figcaption></figure>
<ul><li>1,080 	ATP wins</li><li>92 	singles titles</li><li>36 	Masters 1000 titles</li><li>22 	Slam titles</li><li>14 	French Open titles</li><li>5 	years ended at No. 1</li><li>209 	weeks at No. 1</li><li>912 	weeks in the Top 10 (2005–2023)</li><li>4 	Davis Cup titles</li><li>2 	Olympic gold medals</li><li>$134, 946, 100 in prize money (the second-highest paid player in history)</li></ul>
<h3>Forza Jannik ! </h3>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12244203/Sinner-wins-Davis-Cup-Davis-Cup.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Davis Cup</figcaption></figure>
On Oct. 12, Jannik Sinner officially clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking, the first Italian to do so. Six weeks later, he closed out his dazzling 69-6 season with 8 shiny new winner’s trophies, including the hardware from the ATP Finals, Australian Open, and US Open. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12244196/Montage-8-titres-Sinner-2024-@redtyres.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Montage photos : @redtyres</figcaption></figure>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12244202/Sinner-Italy-champions-Davis-Cup-2024-Davis-Cup.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Davis Cup</figcaption></figure>
As a bonus, he led his country to its second straight Davis Cup without dropping a set in singles or in doubles, just like he did last year (yes, really).
<a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/2024-world-cup-of-tennis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CLICK HERE</a> for everything you need to know about Team Canada's performance at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals. 

So what’s all that worth? His wages reflect his record. In 2024, he banked $17M and doubled his career earnings, which now total $33M. 
Amazing. 
<h3>Match of 2024: Sinner vs. Alcaraz</h3><h3> </h3>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12244201/Sinner-et-Alcaraz-handshake-Beijing-2024-Reuters.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Reuters</figcaption></figure>
“Tennis is in safe hands!” 
That’s what a TV commentator said moments after Carlos Alcaraz downed Jannik Sinner 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) in what was undoubtedly the showdown of the season. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/3-reasons-why-12-day-national-bank-open-going-smash" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3 Reasons Why a 12-Day National Bank Open is Going to be a Smash</a>
Although that could be said of pretty much all their clashes, the nearly three-and-a-half-hour battle in the final of the China Open in October was one for the books. 
 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2QrCtBIoZWo" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
As far as rivalries go, theirs is cemented. In 2024, they walked away with an equal share of two Slams apiece. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12244205/Alcaraz-Sinner-New-Grand-Slam-Guard-2024-banner-ATP.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo Montage : ATP</figcaption></figure>
<h3>Rookie of the year: GMP</h3>Sports are often defined by numbers and statistics, and our rookie of the year is no exception to that unwritten rule. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12244193/Giovanni-Mpetshi-Perricard-Basel-2024-Reuters.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Reuters</figcaption></figure>
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is the ATP’s latest heavy hitter and he uses his 6 feet, 8 inches to the absolute best of his ability by combining short and fast motion with singular power.
The Frenchman started out 2024 at No. 205 and ended it at No. 31. That’s 174 spots in the rankings. He secured his first pro title at his hometown Challenger in Lyon and truly emerged at Wimbledon, where he pummelled Sebastian Korda with 51 aces. 
 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12244194/Giovanni-Mpetshi-Perricard-Wimbledon-2024_2024-11-26-194525_fown.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : ATP Tour</figcaption></figure>
From October 21 to 29, he asserted his dominance and embarked on <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/shapovalov-joins-mpetshi-perricards-canadian-victim-list-in-basel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a fantastic run at the ATP 500 Swiss Indoors in Basel</a> where he hit 87 aces, lined up six straight wins, raised the winner’s trophy and, most significantly, went 86 games without being broken.
So GMP is more than a bazooka in sneakers. The quality and speed of his forehands and backhands are remarkable. He’s already a complete player. 
<h3>Young retirees club</h3><h3> </h3>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12244204/Thiem-Karlovic-Sousa-Milman-retirement-ATP.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : ATP</figcaption></figure>
Rafa wasn’t the only one to retire in 2024. So did Dominic Thiem, Ivo Karlovic, Joao Sousa and John Millman, and they were all honoured at the ATP Finals in Turin.
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/sabalenka-cements-top-dog-status-best-wta-stories-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sabalenka Cements Top Dog Status - Best WTA Stories of 2024</a>
In related news, Andy Murray retired this past summer only to announce last week that he was heading back out on tour. In 2025, he’ll be coaching the most decorated player in history, Novak Djokovic (what?!). 
There’s a lot to look forward to in 2025! 
 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12244206/Djokovic-et-Murray-Laver-Cup-22-AP.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Yahoo Sports</figcaption></figure>

The ATP's best return to Toronto next summer for the National Bank Open July 27 to Aug. 7, 2025 at Sobeys Stadium. 2025 Tickets are on sale. <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/toronto/toronto-tickets-packages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get your tickets today!</a>
Feature Photo : Davis Cup

Tour Results

Sinner Takes the Torch: Best ATP Stories of 2024

Listening to the chorus of this 1972 musical hit, it's hard not to think of the tennis player who shares her first name with this flower: Jasmine Paolini.
The same player who, during several “sweet days of summer”, enjoyed a breathtaking emergence marked by an Olympic gold medal and two consecutive Grand Slam finals.
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12243883/Paolini-back-to-back-GS-Finals.webp" alt="Jasmine Paolini montage" /></figure>
Photo - Reddit 
So, my vote for the WTA Player of the Year Award goes to this tiny Italian girl with a huge heart.
What? An athlete who hasn't won a single Grand Slam title and isn't even in the WTA Top 3?
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/sabalenka-cements-top-dog-status-best-wta-stories-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WTA Stories of 2024</a>
Indeed. Because, beyond the big names, it's not just the number of achievements that should be measured but also the distance covered. An immense path that led her to the Olympus of team tennis: the Italian conquest of the Billie Jean King Cup.
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12243884/Paolini-and-Italy-BJK-Cup-TTC.webp" alt="Jasmine Paolini - Italy BJK Cup champions" /></figure>
Photo - TTC 
Nothing defined Paolini more than the term “underdog” when she began her journey on the WTA Tour. Between 2017 and 2019, she held her own between No. 130 and No. 230 in the rankings. She finally broke into the Top 100 at the age of 24 and then into the Top 30 in early 2024 at the age of 28.
As the saying goes, “It's never too late to do the right thing...”.
That’s not all. No matter what the scientists think, the size of today's top athletes remains a factor to be considered in tennis. And yet, this 5-foot, 3-inch Italian, whose average first serve velocity is just 155 km/h, has made her way up to world No. 4 over the past year.
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12243895/Paolini-serve-Wimbledon-2024-Reuters-002.webp" alt="Paolini Wimbledon" /></figure>
Photo - Reuters 
Paolini has played 60 tour-level matches, with a record of 40-20. Of these, 22 were played in Grand Slams and she won 18 of them.
You may be surprised to learn that this 18-4 record is the second-best of 2024 on the WTA, only trailing Aryna Sabalenka (18-1). Yes, better than those of Iga Swiatek (15-3), Coco Gauff (16-4), Elena Rybakina (11-3) or Jessica Pegula (8-3), all of whom were regulars in the Top 5 for more than a year.
These two summer finals at major tournaments are almost unreal. Since 2019, Paolini's records at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon have been 2-4 and 0-3 respectively. In 2024, they were 6-1, each time.
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JF2aUc4ghfs" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
In 12 months, she approaches $6 million in prize money, almost tripling her career earnings to nearly $8.5 million.
Oh yes, I almost forgot. It turns out that the energy bombshell also makes a name for herself in doubles.
Not only did Paolini compile a 34-15 doubles record, but she also won four titles to climb to 10th place in the world rankings, with the added bonus of a French Open final in the company of her constant companion and compatriot, Sara Errani.
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12243885/Paolini-Errani-champions-Beijing-2024-China-Open.webp" alt="Paolini Errana Beijing champions" /></figure>
Photo - China Open 
As if that wasn't enough, together, the “Atom Ants” went on to win the Olympic gold medal in Paris before picking up two victories in as many matches to help Italy conquer the Billie Jean King Cup in Malaga.
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FuQdMI38QP4" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12243896/Errani-et-Paolini-Olympic-champions-Paris-2024-Reuters.webp" alt="Paolini Errani Olympic Gold" /></figure>
Photo - Reuters At the WTA finals in Riyadh, she was the only woman to play both events.
With such a bouquet of achievements, it's hard not to want to name Jasmine the Flower of the Year.<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12243899/Paolini-triomphante-BJK-2024-AP-002.webp" alt="" /></figure>
Photo - AP

Features

WTA - The Flower of the Year

<h3>Top Players Consolidate</h3>
2024 was truly a year where the top players cemented their hold on the upper echelon of the women’s game. While there was some movement from a year ago, most notably a change in the year-end No.1 ranking for the first time since 2021, there remains a small group of women who have maintained their dominance consistently all season long. 
Aryna Sabalenka continued her strong play at the slams by starting and finishing the majors in 2024 with victories. In January, she defended her Australian Open title with a win over rising star Qinwen Zheng and then in September, she grabbed her first US Open championship against American Jessica Pegula. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sScbLUqyhM0" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Due in part to her strong play at the majors, Sabalenka took the No. 1 ranking from Iga Swiatek to conclude the year. 
While Swiatek finished at No. 2, she proved once again to be the undisputed Clay-Court Queen, taking home titles in Madrid, Rome, and, once again, at Roland-Garros. This was the fourth of the past five French Open’s that have ended with Swiatek lifting the trophy.
Read also: <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/magic-runs-out-in-malaga-for-canada-at-billie-jean-king-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Magic Runs Out in Malaga for Canada at Billie Jean King Cup</a>
Also keeping her spot in the top three in the world was 20-year-old Coco Gauff, who started the year well by making the semis in Australia and Paris before slumping through the summer, struggling mightily on her serve. 
Gauff would recover thanks to a coaching change in the fall as she won the China Open and made the semis in Wuhan. She closed out the year with a bang by beating all of the year’s slam winners at the WTA Finals and taking out the Olympic Gold medalist Zheng in possibly the match of the year to win the entire event. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5cnwifdMQBY" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
It will be interesting to see if anyone can unseat these top three women in 2025 given their consistency over the last few years. 
<h3>Qinwen Zheng: Star Power Unleashed </h3>
Towards the end of the summer swing in 2023, Marijn Bal, agent to Qinwen Zheng, boldly predicted that his client had big things in store for 2024. He said with confidence that she would crack the Top 10 and contend for her first major, and the 22-year-old from China did just that and then some. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Zu_6wtDU6yU" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Zheng started her year by making the finals of the Australian Open, which vaulted her into the Top 10 and then won her first title of the year in Palermo at the start of the summer on clay. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/qinwen-zheng-emergence-chinese-tennis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Qinwen Zheng and the emergence of Chinese tennis</a>
She continued her strong play on the surface by capturing the Olympic Gold medal at the Paris Games. Most impressive in her run to the top of the podium was her victory over the usually-dominant Iga Swiatek on clay in straight sets. 
Zheng finished the year ranked No. 5. 
<h3>Coaching Shake-Ups </h3>
The weeks following the US Open turned into <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/coaching-carousel-continues-wta-tour" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a coaching carousel</a> in the women’s game with some major changes happening between some of the best in the sport and their former mentors. 
Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka got the ball rolling when she parted ways with Wim Fissette in mid-September. The four-time Slam champ has turned to Patrick Mouratoglou, who memorably got some of the best years out of Serena Williams later in her career. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Fy-nrpUfVYA" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Coco Gauff had a very successful 2023 bringing in Brad Gilbert who helped her win her first major at Flushing Meadows. But when things got tough in the middle of 2024, she realized it was time for a change once again. She’s been working with Matt Daly as her new coach and the results have been terrific so far. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/sustaining-momentum-from-national-bank-open-us-open" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sustaining Momentum from the National Bank Open to the US Open</a>
Iga Swiatek also parted ways with her longtime coach Tomasz Wiktorowski and turned to one of the recently available options when she locked down the aforementioned Fissette. Most surprising was that Swiatek made the decision while still ranked No. 1 in the world, something that doesn’t happen often in any sport.
<h3>American Women on Fire </h3>
2024 saw the continued rise of American women in both rankings and results. They can boast of having three of the Top 10 players in the world at season’s end as well as 17 in the Top 100 of the rankings. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Hs7Lmab9hcc" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Aside from Gauff’s achievements in 2024, the strength of Jessica Pegula was on full display this summer and Canadian tennis fans got to see that up close at the National Bank Open in Toronto where she stormed her way to the final without dropping a set before <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-de-la-journee/2024/cashmere-wrap-jessica-pegula-defends-her-national-bank-open-title-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defeating fellow American Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 2-6, 6-1</a>. 
Pegula continued her strong play by making the finals in Cincinnati and the US Open (her first time past the quarter-finals at a major) falling just short both times at the hands of Aryna Sabalenka. 
The WTA's best return to Montreal next summer for the National Bank Open July 26 to Aug. 7, 2025 at IGA Stadium. 2025 Tickets are on sale. <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/montreal-tickets-packages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get your tickets today!</a>
Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak

Sabalenka Cements Top Dog Status: Best WTA Stories of 2024

<a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/nbo-redefined">Bigger, better, and redefined</a> are the words being used to describe what awaits fans next summer. Here’s just a few of the reasons why a 12-day main draw is going to be totally worth it. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12240354/OBN_Tournament_Calendar.webp" width="826" height="594" alt="" /></figure>
*Dates, schedules, sessions, and programming are subject to change.
<h3> 1. More players, more rounds, more sessions… </h3>
More world-class tennis, need we say more? A 96-player main draw not only means that the top 32 seeds will get an opening round bye, but it also means that the tournament will feature an extra round and we did the math, that’s equal to 30% more tennis with more evening sessions, more matches scheduled in primetime, and more opportunities for the best of the best on both Tours to face off. Combine that with an enhanced on-site offering highlighted by greater variety and marquee activities (<a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/what-do-iga-stadium">Montreal</a> and <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/what-do-iga-stadium">Toronto</a>) that you’re going to want to tell your friends about, and you get an event experience that checks all the boxes. 
Some of the highlights of our revamped schedule we're adopting to accommodate 40 new singles players include: 
<ul><li>The last four sessions of the tournament from the quarter-finals onwards, will be played exclusively at night during the second week from Monday, August 4 to Thursday, August 7. </li></ul>
<ul><li>The two singles semi-finals will be contested during the same session during the evening of Wednesday, August 6.</li></ul>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12240359/Crowd.webp" alt="" /></figure>
<h3>2. Host and engage your clients, and share your passion for tennis more often </h3>
The corporate crowd (<a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/get-full-experience/montreal-clients-colleagues">Montreal</a> and <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/toronto/get-full-experience/toronto-clients-colleagues">Toronto</a>) will continue to be well served with additional fully customizable VIP options and exclusive hospitality choices to welcome their clients in a unique setting to feel the prestige of our internationally renowned tournament. For customers with full event packages, their tickets will include six more sessions (21 instead of the usual 15) which will allow them to spread the love and expand your guest list over the 12 days. 
We’re biased, but there’s nothing quite like giving the gift of tennis. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12240360/Corporate.webp" alt="" /></figure>
 
<h3> 3. Choose your own tennis adventure </h3>
Just like the new format provides tournament organizers with increased schedule flexibility and the players with rest days between matches, our products will afford you the same freedom to usher in the new NBO redefined format. Case in point, every round, with the exception of the semi-finals and finals, will be played over two days. 
While many aspects of the National Bank Open will now be reminiscent of the Grand Slams, the familiarity of its welcoming nature, vibrant energy, and electric atmosphere will still make it feel like home.
So, don’t wait, book now and join us to witness the dawn of a new era for tennis in Canada. 
<a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/contact-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Contact us about the new format</a>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12240361/Players.webp" alt="" /></figure>
<h3>Renewal Season in Montreal </h3>
The time has come for <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/tickets-packages/montreal-full-event-packages">full event package</a> ticketholders to renew their seats at IGA Stadium for the return of the WTA to Montreal from July 26 – August 7, 2025. 
Secure your place from now until December 1 and take advantage of early bird savings to enjoy 30% more tennis in 2025 with six new sessions and even more matches scheduled on our two show courts (Centre Court and Rogers Court) throughout the even with day sessions set to begin at *11 a.m. on ALL courts. Meanwhile, evening sessions on Centre Court will get underway at *7 p.m. (*6 p.m. for the semi-finals and finals), and at *6 p.m. on Rogers Court. 
Your renewal price includes the addition of the 6 new sessions. Renew now and save an average of 50% on the regular price for 21 sessions. 
Don’t forget that our resale program, which lets fans resell unused tickets and apply credits to future packages, offers added flexibility for those who can’t attend every session. 
It’s never too soon to think about renewing your tickets, especially considering how popular these premium products have become, so much so that fans have joined a waitlist to be first informed about last-minute seat availability, new products, and special offers.   
To learn more about renewal options, price adjustments, credits, our resale program, and answers to other frequently asked questions, visit <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/help-center/attendees/attendees-general-info/renewal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Renewal section</a> in our Help Centre.
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/tickets-packages/montreal-full-event-packages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12240538/Montreal_Full_Event_Package_CTA.webp" width="663" height="180" alt="" /></a></figure>

<h3>Toronto Packages Now Available</h3>
Lock in the best seats at Sobeys Stadium with a full event package to celebrate the ATP Tour coming back to Toronto. 
Full event packages not only offer the best seats, but also the best value per ticket and the most exclusive perks for the entire tournament. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/toronto/tickets-packages/toronto-full-event-packages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12240541/Toronto_Full_Event_Package_CTA.webp" width="663" height="180" alt="" /></a></figure>

3 Reasons Why a 12-Day National Bank Open is Going to be a Smash

Rather it came at the close of the semifinal of the WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing, where no fewer than six Top 10 players including Aryna Sabalenka (2), Jessica Pegula (3) and Zheng (7) went head-to-head. 
Back in 2010, who would have predicted six players from China in the women’s Top 10?! But here they are thanks to the ascension of two-time Slam champion Na Li (Paris 2011, Melbourne 2014). 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12240251/Li-Na-RG-2011-RG.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Roland-Garros</figcaption></figure>
Let’s pause here and turn our gaze westward, to Canada.
After many, many years in the Top 100, our nation saw two of its own break into the Top 5s. Eugenie Bouchard, No. 5 in 2014, and Milos Raonic, No. 3 in 2016, were examples and motivators for their young compatriots Félix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Bianca Andreescu and Leylah Annie Fernandez. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12240254/Montage-Félix-Denis-Bianca-Leylah-Sportskeeda.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photos : Sportskeeda</figcaption></figure>
Now, back to China.
Ten years later, Na Li’s triumphs have inspired players like Shuai Peng, Shuai Zhang and Saisai Zheng and especially Qinwen Zheng. 
Since mid-July, Zheng has been putting together an impressive 24-4 record. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/king-canada-revisiting-rafael-nadals-five-titles-national-bank-open" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King of Canada: Revisiting Rafael Nadal’s Five Titles at the National Bank Open</a>
The girl who grew up marvelling at Li Na soared to the upper reaches of the sport and became the first Chinese woman since Na to reach the milestone of 40 wins in a single season. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12240256/Quiwen-Zheng-Beijing-2024-practice-VCG.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : VCG</figcaption></figure>
Last January, Zheng even got to celebrate her AO success with a surprise visit from her idol.
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12240260/Screenshot-2024-10-23-142828.webp" alt="" /></figure>
And it’s happening in the ATP, too. No. 46 Zhizhen Zhang is a good case in point.
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12240259/Zhizhen-Zhang-Hangzhou-2024-ATP.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : ATP</figcaption></figure>
At the ripe old age of 28, this late bloomer has achieved several firsts, including becoming the first Chinese man to break into the Top 100. In no time, he was joined by his countrymen No. 76 Yunchaokete Bu and the very promising teen No. 47 Juncheng Shang, whose friends call him Jerry.
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12240250/Juncheng-Shang-Chengdu-2024-AFP.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : AFP</figcaption></figure>
Jerry’s actually the second Chinese man to win an ATP tournament. He follows in the footsteps of 25-year-old Yibing Wu who claimed the title in Dallas last year—the very same Wu who spent a year away from tennis nursing an injury and still managed to claw his way back to No. 54.
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12240255/Qinwen-Zheng-gold-medal-Paris-2024-Beinsports.com.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Beinsports.com</figcaption></figure>
And there’s no better proof than these two pics of Olympic mixed doubles silver medallists Wang and Zhang and gold medallist Qinwen Zheng!
<h3>The new rising stars</h3>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12240249/Fils-et-Andreeva-2024-montage-AP-AFP.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : AFP/AP</figcaption></figure>
Gauff, Swiatek, Sinner, Alcaraz: four prodigies who took control of the tennis universe when they were barely out of their teens.
But who’s waiting in the wings to take their place? 
<h4>Mirra Andreeva </h4>
She’s the player most likely to be described as a sure thing. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12240253/Mirra-Andreeva-US-Open-2024-USOpen.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : US Open</figcaption></figure>
Mirra Andreeva, who’s six months shy of her 18th birthday, just broke into the Top 20 as the new No.17. She’s the first 17-year-old to join the elite group since Nicole Vaidisova in 2006.
But she’s by no means the youngest, since Martina Hingis, Monica Seles and Tracy Austin each pocketed a Slam before their 17th birthday. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/coaching-carousel-continues-wta-tour" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coaching Carousel Continues on the WTA Tour</a>
If she were to win her first Slam in Melbourne next year, Andreeva would do so at the age of 17 years, 215 days and become the sixth youngest player in history to pull off the feat, ahead of none other than Serena Williams. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12240252/Mirra-Andreeva-selfie-Beijing-2024-WTA.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : WTA</figcaption></figure>
Joining Mirra on the list are No. 27 Linda Noskova of Czechia, 19, who won the WTA 500 in Monterrey in August, and three of her countrywomen: sisters Linda and Brenda Fruhvirtova, who are respectively 19 and 17, and 16-year-old Laura Samson. And let’s not forget 15-year-olds Hannah Klugman and Mika Stojsavljevic of Great Britain.
<h4>King Arthur </h4>
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12240248/Arthur-Fils-Wimbledon-2024-Reuters.webp" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : Reuters</figcaption></figure>
Meanwhile in the ATP, the youngest potential members of the new next gen are all around 18 years old.
Arthur Fils of France leads the pack, and for good reason since he’s already starting to make a name for himself. The 20-year-old No. 20 is being tipped as the future French no.1 and possibly the next one to land in the Top 10.  

Read also: <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/monday-digest-diallo-into-top-100-after-almaty-final-run/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diallo Into Top 100 After Almaty Final Run</a>
Hot on his heels are 20-year-old No. 43 Alex Michelsen, No. 47 Jerry Shang and No. 51 Jakub Mensik, 19.
The youngest of the rookies and the seventh in line for the throne is No. 154 Joao Fonseca of Brazil, who just turned 18.
The WTA's best return to Montreal next summer for the National Bank Open July 26 to Aug. 7, 2025 at IGA Stadium. 2025 Tickets are on sale. <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/montreal-tickets-packages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get your tickets today!</a>
The ATP's best return to Toronto next summer for the National Bank Open July 27 to Aug. 7, 2025 at Sobeys Stadium. 2025 Tickets are on sale. <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/toronto/toronto-tickets-packages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get your tickets today!</a>
Feature Photo: Reuters

Qinwen Zheng and the emergence of Chinese tennis

In his legendary career, which will end in November at the Davis Cup Finals, the raging bull from Mallorca won 25 titles on hard courts. Five were in Canada, 20 per cent of his total on the surface. The National Bank Open was his most successful hard-court event. 
Not only was it the tournament he won the most times in his career, it is the only non-clay event he ever successfully defended. He is the winningest player, male or female, in Canada in the 21st century. 
As the sporting world celebrates one of the greatest athletes of all time, let’s visit his five triumphs in Canada. 
<h3>2005 – Montreal </h3>
<ul><li>Seeding: 1 </li><li>Final: d. Andre Agassi (4) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 </li><li>Seeds Beaten: 2 </li><li>Sets Lost: 2 </li><li>Games Lost: 47 </li></ul>
Nadal made his debut in Canada in 2004 in Toronto ranked 62nd in the world, losing in the first round to two-time major champion Lleyton Hewitt. When he returned to Canada a year later, <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/rafael-nadals-unforgettable-first-montreal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this time in Montreal</a>, he was the top seed with a Grand Slam title under his belt. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/p2NkaqziCsQ" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
While he had already won eight titles in 2005 (nine overall in his career), he had yet to lift a trophy off of clay. 
He survived an early scare in the first round against fellow Mallorcan and future coach Carlos Moja before finding his stride. Nadal lost just 15 games in his next three matches and defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu in straight sets to book his place in the final. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/rafael-nadals-generational-battles-canada" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rafael Nadal’s Generational Battles in Canada</a>
Standing across the net was one of the greatest hard-court players of all time, the legendary veteran Andre Agassi. No easy task for a youngster trying to win his first title on a hard court. 
<figure style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;width:475px;max-width:475px;"><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/news/_default/12170933/Nadal-Montreal-2005-AP.webp" width="475" height="290" alt="" /><figcaption style="text-align:center;">Photo : AP</figcaption></figure>
But Nadal sent a message that he was not to be just a clay-court specialist, <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/rafael-nadals-generational-battles-canada" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grinding past the eight-time major champion</a> in three sets for his first title away from his favourite surface. 
<h3>2008 – Toronto </h3>
<ul><li>Seeding: 2 </li><li>Final: d. Nicolas Kiefer 6-3, 6-2 </li><li>Seeds Beaten: 2 </li><li>Sets Lost: 1 </li><li>Games Lost: 38 </li></ul>
Nadal arrived in Toronto in July 2008 on a 24-match winning streak and was contesting his first event since his historic victory at Wimbledon, defeating Roger Federer in what is widely considered to be the greatest tennis match of all time. 
A surface change did little to slow the Spaniard down. His only blip that week in Ontario’s capital came in the quarter-finals when Richard Gasquet edged out a first-set tiebreak 14-12, but Nadal responded in dominant fashion by taking the next two sets 6-2, 6-1. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/examining-federer-nadal-djokovic-murrays-wimbledon-dominance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Examining Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray’s Wimbledon Dominance</a>
After beating Andy Murray in straight sets, the Spaniard easily defeated surprise finalist Nicolas Kiefer to win his second title in Canada. In the process, he became the first man in the 21st century and only active player at the time to have won the Canadian title in both Montreal and Toronto. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Kii5XO_j5Wc" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
The victory also extended his winning streak to 29 matches. He would stretch it to 32 before finally falling in the semifinals of Cincinnati the following week. That streak began on clay in Hamburg, included a perfect season on the grass, and then extended onto the hard courts. 
As of Nadal’s retirement in the fall of 2024, it remains the longest winning streak across three surfaces (with a minimum of eight wins per surface) by a man in tennis history. 
<h3>2013 – Montreal </h3>
<ul><li>Seeding: 4 </li><li>Final: d. Milos Raonic (11) 6-2, 6-2 </li><li>Seeds Beaten: 3 </li><li>Sets Lost: 1 </li><li>Games Lost: 38 </li></ul>
2013 was arguably Nadal’s best season overall, but it was certainly his peak on hard courts. He won his first 26 matches of the year on the surface, not suffering a defeat until October. The run saw him win his first four tournaments played on a hard court, all at the Masters 1000 or Grand Slam level, the second of which was in Montreal. 
Nadal came into the National Bank Open having just failed to reach the final of a tournament for the first time in 2013 in his previous event (he had reached the title match in his first nine tournaments of the year, winning seven of them). He proved that his first-round loss at Wimbledon was just a blip as he stormed through the draw in Canada. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/pwoaQYNPqBU" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
He only lost one set in the tournament and of the 11 sets he played, in five of them he dropped just two or fewer games. His one true test came in the semifinals against the world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and was one of the greatest matches in the history of the National Bank Open. The Serb won the second set, the only set Nadal lost at the tournament, and the match came down to a third-set tiebreak. When the tension was at its highest, Nadal rose to the occasion, dominating the breaker to defeat his rival in a statement victory. 
Read also: <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/milos-raonic-to-join-team-canada-for-davis-cup-final-8-replacing-felix-auger-aliassime/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milos Raonic to Join Team Canada for Davis Cup Final 8</a>
In the final, Nadal played the role of spoiler for the home nation, defeating Canada’s Milos Raonic in straight sets. It was a returning masterclass by the Spaniard as he broke one of the best serves on tour four times, converting every break point he had. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-AL1Dn1CuOY" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
The victory in Canada kicked off a historic summer for Nadal as he became just the third man to <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/the-canada-cincinnati-double-champions-agassi-rafter-roddick-nadal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complete the “Summer Slam”</a> by winning Canada, Cincinnati, and the US Open in a row. 
<h3>2018 – Toronto </h3>
<ul><li>Seeding: 1 </li><li>Final: d. Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 7-6(4) </li><li>Seeds Beaten: 1 </li><li>Sets Lost: 1 </li><li>Games Lost: 48 </li></ul>
While Nadal had been his usual dominant self on clay in 2018, winning four titles in five events in the spring, he had barely played on hard courts, having retired at the Australian Open and not returning until the clay. 
Still, he arrived in Toronto in form after an 11th title at Roland-Garros and a semifinal appearance at Wimbledon. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7k7bfyA7K2M" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Little rust was visible for Nadal on the hard courts at Sobeys Stadium as he was able to grind through a draw full of challenging opponents including major champions Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic, who seemed primed to upset the top seed in the quarter-finals when he blasted him off the court in the opening set, only for the Spaniard to wear him down. 
A clever tactical win over Karen Khachanov sent Nadal into the final where he met a young Stefanos Tsitsipas, who was contesting his first Masters 1000 final after <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/top-five-cinderella-runs-toronto-national-bank-open" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">having beaten four Top 10 opponents in a row</a>. 
Nadal was not about to become the fifth. He eased through the first set and seemed on his way to a routine victory when he led 5-3 in the second set on Tsitsipas’ serve. In a bizarre twist, the Spaniard’s own classiness broke his momentum as Tsitsipas missed a first serve at 30-15 when a fan shouted during his toss. The Greek appealed for a let to the umpire and Nadal jumped in to insist the youngster get his first serve back. The umpire agreed and Tsitsipas went on to hold serve. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2023/flashback-2018-the-last-normal-atp-national-bank-open-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flashback to 2018: The Last “Normal” ATP National Bank Open in Toronto</a>
That moment seemed to give Tsitsipas life as he broke the Spaniard when he served for the title in the following game. He was then able to force Nadal to a tiebreak, but that was where the upset bid ended as Nadal slammed the door for his fourth title in Canada. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oImbpNQ4nJU" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
With the win, Canada became Nadal’s most-successful hard-court event, breaking a tie with Indian Wells and the US Open. After the final, he said in press with a smirk, “Canada is a place that I feel comfortable. I play well. And I played with the Canada colours during the whole event,” referencing the red-and-white kit he donned at the 2018 event. 
Toronto was the only hard-court tournament Nadal got through without injury in 2018. He did not lose a completed match on the surface that year, as he only played three tournaments and retired with injuries in the other two (Australian Open and US Open). 
<h3>2019 – Montreal </h3>
<ul><li>Seeding: 1 </li><li>Final: d. Medvedev (8) 6-3, 6-0 </li><li>Seeds Beaten: 2* (plus one walkover) </li><li>Sets Lost: 1 </li><li>Games Lost: 29* (plus one walkover) </li></ul>
2019 was Nadal’s 19th season as a professional tennis player but despite everything he had accomplished up to that point, there was still one thing he had never done: defend a title on hard court. 
The National Bank Open provided him with an opportunity as he was the top seed at the event he had already won more times than any other non-clay tournament. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DooJgpflgTw" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
His run was similar to the previous year in Toronto, where he only dropped one set, that being the first set of his quarter-final against a veteran opponent 6-2, and then beating a rising star in the final. 
Fabio Fognini gave the Spaniard trouble in the last eight, playing lights out in the opening set to create a potential upset. But Nadal was able to out-wait the volatile Italian and dropped just three games in the last two sets. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/highlights-from-2024-national-bank-open-montreal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Highlights from the 2024 National Bank Open in Montréal </a>
Gael Monfils was unable to contest their semifinal, granting the defending champion a walkover meaning he would be well-rested for his final against the in-form Daniil Medvedev. Nadal was not about to let his shot at finally winning back-to-back hard-court titles slip away. He easily defeated the future world No. 1 in just over an hour to complete his first and only non-clay title defence. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4r4lMQjoyfA" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Like 2013, a title in Canada precipitated a victory at the US Open where he also defeated Medvedev, albeit in a far tighter final. 
Nadal’s five titles in Canada are the second most by a man all time. He is one of six men to win Toronto and Montreal back-to-back. He won the National Bank Open 38 per cent of the times he played (5/13) and, as he has not played in Canada since winning back-to-back titles in 2018-19, he will retire on a nine-match winning streak in Canada. 
Thanks for the memories, Rafa. VAMOS! 
The ATP's best return to Toronto next summer for the National Bank Open July 27 to Aug. 7, 2025 at Sobeys Stadium. 2025 Tickets are on sale. <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/toronto/toronto-tickets-packages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get your tickets today!</a> 
Feature Photo : Tennis Canada

Tournament Throwback

King of Canada: Revisiting Rafael Nadal’s Five Titles at the National Bank Open

One move that players have available is to part ways with their coach and try to find a new voice that can help unlock the best version of themselves. 
In recent weeks on the WTA Tour, three major coaching changes have made headlines. 
Things got started on Sep. 14 when four-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka announced that she was parting ways with long-time coach Wim Fissette. Ranked 75th at the time the news broke, Osaka shared the following to her fans on Instagram:
"4 years, 2 Slams and a whole lot of memories. Thanks Wim for being a great coach and an even greater person, wishing you all the best." <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Paq5M3il5R4" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
The pair had begun their partnership prior to the 2020 season, parted ways during the summer of 2022, and then reunited when she began training for her return post-maternity leave. <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/naomi-osaka-thriving-on-off-court" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">There was progress this year for Osaka</a> but clearly not at the rate she had hoped for. 
Osaka quickly revealed that she will begin immediately working with high-profile coach Patrick Mouratoglou, former coach of Serena Williams, who most recently worked with rising ATP star Holger Rune. The Frenchman worked wonders with Serena in the later stages of her career so it stands to reason that he might be the best coach to help Osaka make the most of her second phase on tour. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/sprint-finish-line" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sprint to the finish line</a>
Fissette is well positioned to bounce back in short order as his coaching resume includes working with the likes of Victoria Azarenka, Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/A1XTRVmDXlU" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Mere days after that major coaching announcement, 20-year-old American Coco Gauff made the decision to end her very successful 14-month-long partnership with Brad Gilbert. The two had immediate success when they teamed up at the start of the summer in 2023, winning titles in Washington DC, Cincinnati, and at the US Open for her maiden Grand Slam title. Gauff rose as high as No. 2 in the world but <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/diana-shnaider-continues-2024-breakout-upset-gauff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this summer she seemed to stagnate in her progress</a>, ultimately leading to the coaching change. 
Gauff has started working with Matt Daly and they have hit the ground running with a title this past week in Beijing, where she defeated Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-3 in the final. 
Read also: <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/monday-digest-dabrowski-and-routliffe-qualify-for-wta-finals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dabrowski and Routliffe Qualify for WTA Finals</a>
The young American shared the following about the decision to change coaches at this early stage of her career.
“What a coach has to offer, I think it depends on what point in your career you’re at, what you’re looking for,” she said. “Obviously right now I’m very young, so I’m looking just for someone to help me develop in the long-term process, try to help make my game as complete as I can be.”<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_d27p4wk9Cc" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
The 63-year-old Gilbert can return to maximizing his time as one of the top television commentators in the sport or find a new charge in short order should he choose. The list of players he’s worked with is lengthy in terms of all-time greats including Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/canadian-doubles-steal-show-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canadian Doubles Steal the Show in Toronto</a>
The final major coaching shake-up of the fall so far happened a week ago when World No. 1 Iga Swiatek opted to make a change. It’s not all that often that the top-ranked player decides to part ways with their coach. 
Swiatek had been working with fellow Pole Tomasz Wiktorowski for the past three years, a stretch that has seen her take control of the No. 1 ranking and accumulate four of her five major titles. The Pole has not found a replacement just yet.<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bX7mKlcUWQw" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
All three of the aforementioned players could have continued on with their previous coaches and possibly figured out how to get back on their usual track. However, they weren’t content to let their slumps hold them back any longer. 
For now, let’s see how new arrivals like Mouratoglou and Daly can help as well as the 2024 season nears its conclusion. 
The WTA's best return to Montreal next summer for the National Bank Open July 26 to Aug. 7, 2025 at IGA Stadium. 2024 Tickets are on sale. <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/montreal/montreal-tickets-packages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get your tickets today!</a> 
Feature Photo: Peter Power

Coaching Carousel Continues on the WTA Tour

<h3>Iga or Aryna?</h3>
If she stays healthy, World No.1 Iga Swiatek should extend her reign until the year wraps up. Her five crowns including the French Slam guarantee her WTA Finals berth, but will she lead the elite eight into Riyadh? 
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12234442/Picture-paul-blog.webp" alt="" /></figure>
Source : WTA That’s a trick question since Aryna Sabalenka, who’s been blazing through 2024 with three titles including two majors, trails Iga by only 400 points with three key tournaments (two WTA 1000 and one WTA 500) still on the calendar. 
Among the new faces who could be in the mix in Saudi Arabia are Jasmine Paolini, Emma Navarro and Qinwen Zheng.
<h3>Sinner flying solo</h3>
Meanwhile in the ATP, the real race is between the no.2 and the no.3 since Jannik Sinner has a 3,000-point lead over his closest rivals. Separated by about 100 points, Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz head into Turin far ahead of no.4 Daniil Medvedev.
<a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/canada-britain-2024-davis-cup-finals-group-stage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more: Canada defeats Britain to win Group D at Davis Cup</a>
Also hotly contested is the no.8 spot. The GOAT currently sits at no.9 but could close the gap of less than 50 points between him and the current no.8 Alex de Minaur. 
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12234444/novak-paul-blog.webp" alt="" /></figure>
Photo : Tennis365
Surprisingly though, Djokovic isn’t putting too much pressure on himself to make that happen. Since winning Olympic gold in Paris—the only significant title that had eluded him—he’s recalibrated his priorities. 
“Torino is not my goal at all, to be honest. I am not chasing ATP Finals, I am not chasing the rankings,” he told reporters after helping Serbia overtake Greece in the Davis Cup World Group I tie in Belgrade. “As far as I am concerned, I am done with those tournaments for my career. Whether I will play other tournaments this year or in the future, I can’t say right now.” =================
<h3>Laver Cup: advantage Europe (again) </h3>
The seventh edition of the Laver Cup runs from September 20 to 22 at Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany.
A sign of the times, zero of the Big Three will be on the court or behind the bench, though Roger Federer should be in attendance as the event’s cofounder. 

<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12234443/Picture3-laver-cup-blog-paul.webp" alt="" /></figure>
 Photo : Laver Cup
This year, the teams get new captains as Yannick Noah and Andre Agassi take over from Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe.
The tournament has lost some of the newness of its pre-pandemic beginnings, but it remains one of my favourites. Exhibition tennis that’s serious and competitive. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QfKoVvEZCVE" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
As in every edition (except 2023), a glance at the teams reveals the chasm between them when it comes to the competitors’ ATP rankings. Team World vs. Team Europe is a timid David vs. Goliath. 
<figure><img src="https://assets.nationalbankopen.com/production/_default/12234445/laver-cup-Picture4-paul-blog.webp" alt="" /></figure>
Photo : Laver Cup
Europe World
Zverev (2) Fritz (7)
Alcaraz (3) Tiafoe (16)
Medvedev (5) Shelton (17)
Ruud (9) Tabilo (22)
Dimitrov (10) Cerundolo (31)
Tsitsipas (12) Kokkinakis (78)
When everyone on the blue team is a member of the Top 12 compared to only one guy on the reds, the odds are that the Laver Cup will find its way back to Europe for the fifth time. 
Still, the Laver Cup’s unique format leaves room for a few surprises. In 2022, after four straight losses, Team World with the help of Félix Auger-Aliassime in the best year of his career, finally raised the Laver Cup. And last year in Vancouver, the red team won by a landslide. 
2017 Europe 15 World 9
2018 Europe 13 World 8
2019 Europe 13 World 11
2020 ------------
2021 Europe 14 World 1 
2022 World 13 Europe 8
2023 World 13 Europe 2
So no Félix, no Roger, no Rafa and no Novak this year. Will David keep taunting Goliath, or will the old continent rise up once again? 
Das werden wir in Berlin sehen!

Sprint to the finish line

Today, let’s focus on some WTA stars who have been able to sustain some of the momentum that they started here at Sobeys Stadium and see how they’ve performed so far at the final major of 2024. 
Let’s start with<a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-de-la-journee/2024/cashmere-wrap-jessica-pegula-defends-her-national-bank-open-title-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> two-time reigning champion in Canada</a>, Jessica Pegula. 
Back-to-back titles in Montreal and Toronto have shown her prowess on the summer hard courts. Pegula admitted during her title run at the 2024 National Bank Open that <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/jessica-pegula-continues-love-affair-national-bank-open-title-defence-within-reach" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">her solid results north of the border</a> are perhaps due to the close proximity to her hometown of nearby Buffalo. So far in New York, Pegula has looked just as strong as she did in Toronto as she did not drop a set on her way to the quarter-finals. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FJ9SrJpB4yw" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Following her round of sixteen victory against Diana Shnaider, who <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/jessica-pegula-continues-love-affair-national-bank-open-title-defence-within-reach" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">she beat in Toronto as well</a>, Pegula mentioned that she employed some of what she learned at the NBO to help her in New York. 
“She’s really tricky, a tough lefty and has had a really good year so I thought I’d try to use the experience of when I played her in Toronto today and it was more or less the same, but I had to adapt to a couple of things she did differently.”
Shnaider, for her part, certainly <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/diana-shnaider-continues-2024-breakout-upset-gauff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impressed the Canadian crowds</a> with her semifinal result at the NBO where she fell to Pegula in straight sets. It is likely that many weren’t familiar with the 20-year-old prior to the tournament, as she has exploded onto the scene this year grabbing three titles on three different surfaces. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Vaz2koMGvh4" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Despite falling to Pegula once again in New York, Shnaider seems to have established herself as a legitimate Top 20 presence on the WTA Tour. 
Emma Navarro was one of several Americans who had a deep run in Canada this summer, as five of the final eight women left in the singles draw at the NBO were from the United States. In New York, Navarro is once again showing her hard-court strengths with a solid run. 
She knocked off defending champion Coco Gauff in the round of sixteen. Prior to this year, the 23-year-old had never before won a match at the US Open.<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cpKY2xkZsHo" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Navarro was asked at the National Bank Open about whether or not she has adjusted her goals as this season has progressed thanks to her strong play.
“Yeah, for sure. It's pretty crazy that being Top 10 could be on the horizon for me, it's definitely exciting and motivating. Then, of course, I haven't really thought too far ahead, but WTA Finals would be an amazing opportunity, so for sure a little bit of a boost of confidence, just knowing that I can play at this level.”
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/canadian-doubles-steal-show-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canadian Doubles Steal the Show in Toronto</a>
Some players who had strong runs in Toronto were not able to turn their momentum into wins at the US Open, but still delivered strong performances. 
National Bank Open finalist Amanda Anisimova came up against a tough draw at the US Open in having to face Olympic Gold Medalist Qinwen Zheng in the opening round. The just-turned 23-year-old American took the first set before Zheng found her footing and took the match 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. Nonetheless, Anisimova has <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/anisimova-keeps-making-strides-upsets-sabalenka-first-1000-semifinal-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">used her strong week in Canada</a> to move back into the Top 50 in the WTA rankings, far surpassing her early season target of cracking the Top 100. <figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0BV65S7Z52Q" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
The last time we saw the same women’s singles champion in both Canada and then New York was when Bianca Andreescu defeated Serena Williams in Toronto and then at the US Open back in 2019. 
Finally, Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe form the No. 1 tandem in women’s doubles at the US Open. They were finalists in Toronto, <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/dolehide-krawczyk-break-home-hearts-win-national-bank-open-doubles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">falling to the American tandem of Caroline Dolehide and Desirae Krawczyk</a> in a closely-contested championship match and <a href="https://www.tenniscanada.com/news/monday-digest-dabrowski-title-defence-on-track-at-us-open/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reached the quarter-finals in New York</a>. 
They are the last defending champions still alive from any of the draws at the US Open and are proving their consistency with another deep run.
Feature Photo : Peter Power

Sustaining Momentum from the National Bank Open to the US Open

The ATP Tour is in an interesting position heading into the final major of the year. The two men who reached the Olympic final combined for zero match wins (in only one total match) in the hard-court warm-up events. 
And then there was the world No. 1, who took advantage of their absence to cement his place in the top spot. 
The National Bank Open Power Rankings has a look at where the ATP’s best stack up ahead of the last Grand Slam event of 2024. 
(Brackets indicate change in position since <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/atp-power-rankings-2023-breakout-stars-coming-full-circle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the last edition of the Power Rankings</a> from before the National Bank Open. Players who withdrew prior to the NBO were not included in the last edition of the Power Rankings) 
<h3>1. Jannik Sinner (-) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 1 </li><li>2024 Record: 48-5 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Cincinnati Champion </li><li>Best US Open Result: Quarter-final (2022) </li></ul>
The world No. 1 will arrive in New York fresh off a title run in Cincinnati, which marked a bounce-back after a “dry spell” (only by his lofty 2024 standards). He is the only person on tour to have won multiple Masters 1000 titles this year, both on hard courts. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/htsVOPFaaQ8" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
Amazingly, Sinner is STILL yet to lose before the quarter-finals in 2024, reaching the last eight at all 11 events he has played. He has also reached at least the semifinals at all but one event on a hard court this year. 
- Pete 
<h3>2. Carlos Alcaraz (New) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 3 </li><li>2024 Record: 38-8 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Olympic Silver Medal </li><li>Best US Open Result: Champion (2022) </li></ul>
Alcaraz has won two of three majors this season with victories at <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/destination-nbo-carlos-alcaraz-a-man-all-surfaces" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the French Open</a> and <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/destination-nbo-powered-stm-alcaraz-keeps-making-history-wimbledon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wimbledon</a>. He captured a silver medal for his country at the Paris Olympics and is the youngest men’s player in history to win slams on three different surfaces. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SEFnfcfvLkw" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
So should we really be too worried that he lost an opening-round match in Cincinnati?  
Alcaraz is the most talented and complete player in the sport. Expect nothing less than a deep run at Flushing Meadows with a shot at a second-career US Open crown. 
- Ben 
<h3>3. Novak Djokovic (New) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 2 </li><li>2024 Record: 29-7 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Olympic Gold Medal </li><li>Best US Open Result: Champion (four times) </li></ul>
After all the possible warning signs of ageing and vulnerability in the first half of the season, Djokovic managed the almost unthinkable in Paris, winning the Olympic gold medal at 37 years old. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/highlights-from-2024-national-bank-open-montreal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Highlights from the 2024 National Bank Open in Montréal </a>
The superstar has now won everything of note in the sport, from majors to Masters to ATP Finals victories and more. 
So why would the 24-time major winner stop now? The defending champion returns to New York surely beaming with confidence, although it is worth noting that he has not played a match since the Olympic final which was on clay. 
- Ben 
<h3>4. Alexander Zverev (-1) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 4 </li><li>2024 Record: 52-16 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Cincinnati SF </li><li>Best US Open Result: Runner-up (2020) </li></ul>
Zverev was agonizingly close to reaching the final in Cincinnati. It took a superhuman effort from Sinner to deny him in their thrilling semifinal clash. Despite the loss, the German was one of four players to reach the quarter-finals in both Montreal and southwest Ohio. 
He has been hyper-consistent since his title run in Rome back in May, only failing to reach the quarter-finals of one tournament. Zverev is also entering one of his better majors, where he has reached at least the quarter-finals in his last three appearances. 
- Pete 
<h3>5. Andrey Rublev (+1) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 6 </li><li>2024 Record: 34-17 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Montreal runner-up </li><li>Best US Open Result: Quarter-final (four times) </li></ul>
Through the first five Masters 1000 events of 2024, no player had reached two finals this year. The first to do it? Andrey Rublev when <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/rublev-finally-getting-some-wins-canada" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he reached the title match at the National Bank Open</a>. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ll8nsFWVtVM" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
While <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/recapitulatif-atp-de-la-journee/2024/peroni-refresh-alexei-popyrins-extraordinary-feat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">his defeat in the Montreal final against Alexei Popyrin</a> was a missed opportunity, the fact remains that Rublev had a great summer, adding a Cincinnati quarter-final the following week, where he lost to the eventual champion (and the only other player to reach two Masters 1000 finals in 2024) Sinner. 
He is as well-primed as ever to finally break his Grand Slam quarter-final funk. 
- Pete 
<h3>6. Daniil Medvedev (-4) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 5 </li><li>2024 Record: 35-13 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Olympics R3 </li><li>Best US Open Result: Champion (2021) </li></ul>
As crazy as it might seem, former US Open champion and self-proclaimed “hard-court specialist” Daniil Medvedev will go into the US Open without a match win on a hard-court since Miami, having lost his opening matches in both Montreal and Cincinnati. It is the first time since 2017 that has happened to him. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/hockey-favourite-medvedev-hard-courts-certainly-are" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hockey not a favourite for Medvedev but hard courts certainly are</a>
Still, Medvedev is one of the best hard-court players in the world and always brings his A-game to New York. He has reached three finals at the US Open since 2019, winning one, and has reached four of the last five semifinals. 
- Pete 
<h3>7. Holger Rune (+3) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 15 </li><li>2024 Record: 33-17 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Cincinnati SF </li><li>Best US Open Result: Third round (2022) </li></ul>
While Rune has reached the round of 16 this season at the French Open and Wimbledon, the all-court player has had lulls in 2024 and recently parted ways with high-profile coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AclD1lnplrY" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
He has since appeared to have turned a corner. The 21-year-old produced his best Masters 1000 result of the year in Cincinnati, making a run to the semifinals and knocking off tough opponents like Matteo Berrettini and Jack Draper along the way. 
He’s peaking at the perfect time to do some damage. 
- Ben 
<h3>8. Taylor Fritz (-4) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 12 </li><li>2024 Record: 38-16 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Olympic R3 </li><li>Best US Open Result: Quarter-final (2023) </li></ul>
There’s a fun yet highly competitive rivalry on the ATP circuit to hold the spot as the top-ranked American man. 26-year-old Taylor Fritz has proven to be the most consistent of the group and rests just ahead of compatriots Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton heading into Flushing Meadows. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/the-canada-cincinnati-double-champions-agassi-rafter-roddick-nadal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Canada-Cincinnati Double Champions - Agassi, Rafter, Roddick, Nadal</a>
Fritz has all the tools for a big run on the hard courts – a booming serve, crisp and powerful groundstrokes, and big match experience. He’s been to two Grand Slam quarter-finals this year and is no doubt hungry to go a step further in New York. 
- Ben 
<h3>9. Frances Tiafoe (New) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 20 </li><li>2024 Record: 24-19 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Cincinnati Runner-Up </li><li>Best US Open Result: Semifinal (2022) </li></ul>
Is Frances Tiafoe back? 
2024 has largely been a disappointment for the American, but he has shown signs of life this summer on home soil, reaching the semifinals in Washington with a win over Rublev and then reaching his first Masters 1000 final last week in Cincinnati. 
<figure><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XWDOWsGk-Og" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>
The US Open has historically been his best major, having reached his maiden Grand Slam semifinal in 2022 and getting to the quarters last year. It seems like the stars are aligning for Big Foe to get back to his big, ball-bashing ways in the Big Apple. 
- Pete 
<h3>10. Hubert Hurkacz (-3) </h3>
<ul><li>Actual Ranking: 7 </li><li>2024 Record: 38-16 </li><li>Notable Recent Results: Montreal and Cincinnati QF </li><li>Best US Open Result: Second Round (five times)</li></ul>
When Hurkacz went down with a nasty-looking knee injury at Wimbledon, it seemed like he could be out for a while recovering. Instead, he turned around and reached back-to-back quarter-finals in Montreal, where he lost an epic three-setter to the eventual champion Popyrin, and Cincinnati. 
Read also: <a href="https://nationalbankopen.com/news/read/2024/popyrin-wins-biggest-title-career-gets-private-jet-ride-he-wanted" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Popyrin wins biggest title of career and gets the private jet ride he wanted</a>
It is worth noting however that at the latter, he retired in the last eight, albeit with a calf injury rather than the knee he hurt at Wimbledon. What Hurkacz showed at the two Masters 1000s though is that when he is feeling good, he remains very reliable with that big serve of his. 
- Pete 
The National Bank Open Power Rankings are a group collaboration by the Power Rankings Panel which includes:
<ul><li><a href="https://twitter.com/PeteB_93" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pete Borkowski</a> – Content Editor, Tennis Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/boydmel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Melissa Boyd</a> – Content Writer, Tennis Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/ChampagneSJade" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sarah-Jade Champagne</a> – Content Specialist, Tennis Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/EddieJonesLee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edward Lee</a> – Content Contributor, Tennis Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/BenLewisMPC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ben Lewis</a> – Host, Match Point Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/hulight" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hugues Leger</a> – Producer, Podcast Sur La Ligne</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/McIntyreTennis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mike McIntyre</a> – Host, Match Point Canada</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/SanterreAbraham" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abraham Santerre</a> – Content Creator, Podcast Sur La Ligne</li><li>Patrick Steski - Content Contributor, Tennis Canada</li></ul>
<h3>US Open 2024 Predictions</h3>
Champion 
<ul><li>Pete: Jannik Sinner </li><li>Ben: Carlos Alcaraz </li><li>Mel: Jannik Sinner </li><li>Pat: Carlos Alcaraz </li><li>Eddie: Carlos Alcaraz </li></ul>
Dark Horse 
<ul><li>Pete: Matteo Berrettini </li><li>Mel: Lorenzo Musetti </li><li>Pat: Alex Michelsen </li><li>Eddie: Jack Draper </li></ul>
Bold Prediction: 
<ul><li>Pete: None of the Olympic medalists will reach the final </li><li>Ben: Berrettini reaches the second week </li><li>Mel: Alcaraz will NOT win his third straight major title. </li><li>Pat: Rublev will break his QF curse and reach a first major semifinal. </li><li>Eddie: Novak Djokovic will not make the second week. </li></ul>
Feature Photo : @WeAreTennis

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