Welcome to the Destination NBO by STM. Every week, we will keep you updated on all the action on the WTA Tour as we build towards the National Bank Open in Montreal, which takes place from Jul. 26 to Aug. 7.
Days until National Bank Open: 31
Vondrousova crowned champion on grass once again
Since her breakthrough Wimbledon triumph in 2023, Marketa Vondrousova has had a challenging few years. After shoulder surgery in August and only six match wins in the last six months, the former world No. 6 dropped to 164th in the WTA rankings ahead of the 2025 Berlin Open.
However, the switch to grass this year seemed to have turned things around for the Czech.
Vondrousova was crowned champion in the German capital, her first title since her run at the All-England Club two years ago. The 25-year-old defeated Australian Open champion Madison Keys and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka en route to her finals win over qualifier Xinyu Wang.
The Sokolov-native is now the Czech No. 5, rising 91 spots up the rankings to 73rd.
Kvitova announces retirement after U.S. Open
A former world No. 2, Petra Kvitova has announced she is calling it a career following the U.S. Open. The 35-year-old Czech made the announcement just a day after being granted a wild card into Wimbledon, the tournament where Kvitova was twice crowned champion.
Read Also: Who's expected to play the 2025 National Bank Open?
“I am excited and very much looking forward to soak in the beauty of playing The Championships, Wimbledon one more time, a place that holds the most cherished memories in my career,” Kvitova said on social media.
The former Czech No. 1 also won Olympic singles bronze in 2016 and led Czechia to six Billie Jean King Cup titles.
Tune-ups before Wimbledon
The Bad Homburg Open and Rothesay Eastbourne International mark the final tournaments before Wimbledon while qualifying also begins at the All-England Club.
Canadian No. 1 Leylah Annie Fernandez defeated Queen’s Club champion Tatjana Maria in the first round in Bad Homburg but lost to No. 2 seed Jasmine Paolini in the second. Jessica Pegula comes in as the No. 1 seed.
In Eastbourne, British No. 1 Emma Raducanu is off to a winning start on home soil once again, looking to bring a title into Wimbledon where she hopes to become the first British ladies champion there in 48 years.
Meanwhile at the All-England Club, Roland-Garros semifinalist Lois Boisson was stunned in the first round of qualifying by Canadian No. 6 Carson Branstine, fresh off her first WTA Tour win in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Branstine meets fellow Canadian Bianca Andreescu in the second round on Wednesday while Victoria Mboko is the only other Canuck remaining in qualifying.
All winners from last week:
WTA 500 Berlin
- Women’s Singles: Marketa Vondrousova* (1/3) d. Xinyu Wang
- Women’s Doubles: Tereza Mihalikova/Olivia Nicholls d. Sara Errani/Jasmine Paolini
WTA 250 Nottingham
- Women’s Singles: McCartney Kessler* (2/3) d. Dayana Yastremska
- Women’s Doubles: Beatriz Haddad Maia/Laura Siegemund d. Anna Danilina/Ena Shibahara
*(2025 titles/career titles)
The WTA's best return to Montreal this summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers July 26 to Aug. 7, 2025 at IGA Stadium. 2025 Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!
Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak
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