Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, Canadian 2023 Billie Jean King Cup champions Rebecca Marino and Marina Stakusic have received main draw wild cards ahead of the 2024 National Bank Open presented by Rogers (NBO), Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday.
“We already had a show-stopping player field for this year’s National Bank Open presented by Rogers, and it just got even more exciting with the additions of Rebecca [Marino], Marina [Stakusic] and Naomi [Osaka],” said Karl Hale, Tournament Director, NBO Toronto. “We couldn’t be happier to provide this opportunity to two well-deserving Canadians who we know fans will be excited to see in action at Sobeys Stadium. And, to welcome a player of Naomi’s quality and star power back to Toronto is going to be a real treat for everyone.”
Osaka made her return to tennis in January after taking a break from the sport during her pregnancy and the birth of her first child. Prior to that, she claimed two Australian Open titles (2019, 2021), two US Opens (2018, 2020) and reached a career-high ranking of World No. 1 in January 2019. A fan favourite in Toronto, Osaka last played at the NBO in 2022.
"I'm thrilled to be playing at the National Bank Open this year,” said Osaka. “The city of Toronto has an amazing energy and I can't wait to be back there. I'm incredibly grateful for the wild card opportunity and look forward to playing in front of the passionate Canadian fans."
Vancouver’s Marino has enjoyed recent success, claiming the trophy at the W100 ITF event in Ilkley, her 15th ITF title, after beating Jessika Ponchet of France in the final last month. The 33-year-old has been a prominent member of Canada’s Billie Jean King Cup set-up for many years and was part of the team that claimed the country’s first-ever world championship last November.
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Also on that roster was Toronto’s Stakusic, who enjoyed several breakout performances in Seville, Spain. En route to the championship, the then-18-year-old secured three vital wins, including over Martina Trevisan, then ranked No. 43, in the final against Italy. Since the turn of the year, Stakusic has continued to climb the WTA rankings and currently sits at No. 157. Earlier this month, she qualified for her first Grand Slam main draw at Wimbledon.
Fellow Canadian Bianca Andreescu was announced as the other NBO main draw wild card recipient on July 10.
Click here to see the updated main draw entry list. Due to the withdrawals of Donna Vekic (schedule change) and Sorana Cirstea (foot injury), Clara Burel and Karolina Pliskova have been added to the main draw entry list.
BOUCHARD, SEBOV AND BRANSTINE RECEIVE QUALIFYING WILD CARDS
Fans can also catch Canadians Eugenie Bouchard, Katherine Sebov, and Carson Branstine in action in Toronto after the trio received qualifying wild cards. Qualifying takes place on Sunday, August 4 and Monday, August 5 during 407 ETR Family Weekend at Sobeys Stadium.
Another member of the Billie Jean King Cup-winning squad in Spain, Bouchard is a former Wimbledon finalist (2014) and World No. 5 (October 2014). Sebov, meanwhile, was part of the Canadian team which beat Belgium in the 2023 Qualifier tie in Vancouver to gain entry to the Finals. The 25-year-old Toronto native will be playing in her hometown at Sobeys Stadium next month.
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Branstine will head to the NBO in fine form after reaching a career-high No. 314 in the WTA rankings and capturing two ITF titles (W75 Sumter, W35 Monastir) so far in 2024.
The final qualifying wild card will be awarded to the winner of the pre-qualifying draw taking place from Tuesday, July 30 to Friday, August 2 at Sobeys Stadium.
Click here to see the updated qualifying entry list.
The WTA's best return to Toronto this summer for the National Bank Open August 4 to 12 at Sobeys Stadium. Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!
Feature Photo : Jared Wickerham
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