Destination NBO powered by STM: Sinner Preparing for Biggest Title Defence

Days until the National Bank Open: 4

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The Olympics’ loss is the National Bank Open’s gain as defending champion Jannik Sinner is arriving in Montreal early ahead of next week’s event.

A year ago, Sinner had his long-awaited breakthrough in Toronto, winning what was at the time the biggest title of his career at the National Bank Open. That victory kicked off a run that saw him lead his country to the Davis Cup title in November, win his first major at the Australian Open in January, and ascend to World No. 1 in June.

Now, starting in Montreal next week, he faces a new task: defending all those points he has accumulated. His title defence in Canada will be the largest such defence so far in the 22-year-old's career.

Sinner skipped the Olympics due to tonsilitis but is expected to be ready to go in Montreal. His opening match at IGA Stadium will be his first match since the quarter-finals of Wimbledon, where he was also affected by illness.

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So far in 2024, the Italian has reached the quarter-finals or better at every event he has played, including all three majors and four Masters 1000 events, and has four titles to his name.

On-Court Action

Despite the French Open ending seven weeks ago, all eyes are on Roland-Garros as it is playing host to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Among the early highlights was the ATP-recording-extending 60th clash between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the second round of the men’s singles, won in straight sets by the Serbian.

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Now that Nadal is out of the singles, the two-time Olympic gold medalist shifts his focus fully to doubles. The pair nicknamed “NadAlcaraz,” Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, won their opening match in straight sets.

If NadAlcaraz were to win the gold, the older Spaniard would become the first man in the Open Era to win three Olympic gold medals.

Alcaraz himself is looking to win a third consecutive big title after a victory at this same venue in June and his win a few weeks ago at Wimbledon. If he were to win gold, he would join Nadal as the only men to win Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and Olympics in the same year.

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He and Djokovic, who is looking to add the one big title he has never won to his collection and to become just the third man to complete the Career Golden Slam, are the top two seeds and could not meet until the final.

Andy Murray also managed one last bit of magic as he competes in his final event as a professional tennis player, having announced just prior to the Olympics that he will only play doubles in Paris and will retire after the tournament’s conclusion.

In his first-round doubles match with Dan Evans, the British pair saved five match points to squeak out a victory, postponing the end of Murray’s career for another day.

The ATP's best return to Montreal this summer for the National Bank Open August 3 to 12, 2024 at IGA Stadium. 2024 Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo: Peter Power