The National Bank Open presented by Rogers (NBO) is thrilled to release the list of entries for the tournament, which takes place at IGA Stadium from August 4 to 13.
The National Bank Open presented by Rogers (NBO) is thrilled to release the list of entries for the tournament, which takes place at IGA Stadium from August 4 to 13. The theme of this year’s women’s event — It’s not the best of women’s tennis. It’s the best of women’s tennis. — was further emphasized at this morning’s press conference when it was announced that 41 of the world’s top 44 players have officially confirmed their participation.
“The National Bank Open has been among the leading stopovers on the tennis calendar for years, and 2023 is no exception,” said Valérie Tétreault, Tournament Director of the National Bank Open in Montréal. “Not only will fans have the opportunity to see the best in our sport in action, but they’ll also feel the thrill of the women’s game, which is more competitive than ever. Every tournament presented this season has showcased superlative tennis, and the growing sales figures and TV ratings fully confirm that. We’re convinced the trend will continue here this summer, since there’s every indication that the NBO will set a new attendance record for a WTA event in Montréal.”
Leading the charge in the main draw is the new Big Three: World No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, 2023 Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and reigning champion in Indian Wells and Rome Elena Rybakina. Between them, they’ve held the top three echelons of the rankings since June 12 and competed in 14 finals this year. But despite their many wins on the Hologic WTA Tour, none of them have ever raised the winner’s trophy in Canada.
Though they’ll land in Montréal as heavy favourites, Swiatek, Sabalenka and Rybakina will each face an uphill battle in a draw that’s chock-full of serious contenders. In addition to No.4 Jessica Pegula, who got as far as the semi-finals of the NBO in 2021 and 2022, No.5 Caroline Garcia (11 tour titles), No.6 Ons Jabeur (two-time Grand Slam finalist) and the prodigious No.7 Coco Gauff will all be in the mix.
Several former champions will be returning to the NBO including Caroline Wozniacki (winner in 2010). On June 29, she announced her comeback in Montréal after a three-year hiatus. Also among the players to watch are No. 9 Petra Kvitova (2012 champion) and Elina Svitolina (2017 champion), who both turned in excellent performances at Wimbledon. Svitolina (maternity leave) and Jennifer Brady (injury) used their protected rankings to qualify for the main draw.
It was also announced that No. 50 Bianca Andreescu (ON), No. 83 Rebecca Marino (BC) and No. 95 Leylah Annie Fernandez (QC) received the last three wild cards. A few highlights to note:
- Andreescu is the 2019 NBO champion. She is coming off a solid run at Wimbledon, where she got as far as the third round. She defeated No. 26 Anhelina Kalinina before falling to Jabeur at the outcome of three tough sets (3-6, 6-3, 6-4).
- Marino earned her best results at the NBO in 2021, when she advanced to the third round with wins over Madison Keys and Paula Badosa.
- Fernandez will be competing in front of her home crowd on Centre Court packed to the rafters for the very first time in her young career. Her only other participation in the main draw in Montréal was in 2021, when the tournament was presented at reduced capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here to see the list of entries for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Montréal.
CELEBRATION AND NOSTALGIA ON OPENING NIGHT
On Monday, August 7, two exciting events will officially kick off the 2023 National Bank Open in Montréal.
First, at 6 p.m., Clay and Friends will play a 30-minute set before the first match gets underway. Hailing from Verdun, the popular local band will put on an electrifying show on a stage set up in the middle of the stadium grounds. Afterwards, the emotions continue with a special ceremony on Centre Court to honour former NBO tournament director Eugène Lapierre, with a number of very distinguished guests in attendance. After over two decades at the helm of the championship, Mr. Lapierre announced his retirement last October, when he handed over the reins to Tétreault.
“It’ll be a very special evening on August 7,” Tétreault added. “After rocking out to Clay and Friends, whom we’re thrilled to welcome, fans will join us as we celebrate Eugène’s career. For decades, he was a leading tennis figure in Québec and Canada, and it’s largely thanks to his stewardship that the tournament transformed into what it is today. It’s important to us to pay tribute to him, not only for making an exceptional contribution to the sport’s development but also for being a brilliant mentor, colleague and friend to so many.”
For more information on opening night and the tournament, go to www.nationalbanakopen.com.
The National Bank Open would like to thank its many partners including Tourisme Montréal, which provides important financial support that enables the NBO to achieve new heights year after year.
Sportsnet is the official English-language broadcaster of the National Bank Open, and TVA Sports will provide coverage in French. Fans can follow the National Bank Open on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and at www.nationalbanakopen.com. In late July, the official National Bank Open app will be available for download from the App Store and Google Play.
