Before ringing in the New Year kicking our preparations into high gear for the 2026 edition of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers and the return of the ATP Tour to Montreal, we asked Tournament Director Valérie Tétreault to take a walk down memory lane and reminisce about her highlights from this past summer’s historic tournament.
From Victoria Mboko’s magical to Eugenie Bouchard’s emotional farewell and everything in between, Tétreault pulls the curtain back on some of the moments that will stick with so many of us for a long time.
*The following interview has been edited purely for clarity and flow purposes.
Tennis Canada: Take us behind the scenes during Eugenie Bouchard’s improbable first round win and then her final match. How did you live that experience, what will you remember most?
Valérie Tétreault: Honestly, I think we already knew that this moment was going to be special as soon as we realized that it was going to be her last tournament and that we would have the chance to celebrate her and everything she has meant to Canadian tennis. I don't think many people expected it to be so emotional. In the end, it was a bonus that we got to see two matches with Eugenie instead of just one.
We really felt like we were seeing the Eugenie of old during those two matches, the way she fought. I think it showed how much she wanted this moment to be special, to be powerful. She wanted to do herself justice. Eugenie is still someone who is proud, like any athlete. She wasn't there just there to be there; she wanted to perform. The fact that she called on Sylvain Bruneau to help her prepare for the tournament added to the beauty of the story because the two still have a great relationship and Sylvain has definitely helped Eugenie a lot throughout her career.
What made me most happy was that it ended so well between her and the Montreal crowd. It wasn't always easy for Eugenie to play at home, as it often came with very high expectations and a lot of pressure. She herself would say that she was disappointed with her past performances. She was finally able to use the energy from the crowd to her advantage, and she was touched. As she was walking off the court after her first match, said to me, “It's crazy playing in Montreal, the crowd is just incredible!” Then her mother said to me, “It feels like she just won the US Open!” The welcome she received was beyond expectations. She enjoyed it and lived the moment to the fullest.
After her defeat, she spent a long time with her family in the gym, and everyone was proud of her performance. There was also the realization that it was time to retire, and we had to approach her with the famous papers she had to sign to officially hang up her tennis racquet. It became almost a ceremony. She opened a bottle of champagne, and the cork flew up to the ceiling of the bistro. She signed the clothes she wore during her last match and stayed at the stadium for a long while.
Tennis Canada: Same for Victoria Mboko’s magical run. What was it like to witness the crowning of a Canadian women’s champion for the first time in Montreal on your watch?
Tétreault: We had been dreaming for a long time about seeing a Canadian athlete win our tournament in Montreal. What made it even more special and surprising was that no one expected it, including her. She surprised us in every match, and the further she advanced, the more we started to believe. The energy was truly incredible. I particularly remember her semi-final match. For me, it was one of the matches of the year on the WTA Tour.
READ: Catching up with 2025 NBO Montreal Champion Victoria Mboko
Now I realize that what we experienced at IGA Stadium was special, but it went far beyond the stadium. Even today, I still meet people who talk to me about Vicky. That's what we want to do: inspire people through sport. I think it shows the best that sport has to offer: the power to bring people together.
Vicky (Mboko) is the epitome of calm. She was very aware of what she was going through and wanted to make the most of the experience. She spent a lot of time on site because she wanted to live it to the fullest. She was very generous with her time and had a great team around her. It was special for us to share it with the Tennis Canada coaches; it felt like we could each do our small part to contribute to her success. I also saw how much of a family affair it was for Vicky.
Tennis Canada: What was year one of the new 12-day format like? How did you experience it from the inside?
Tétreault: For me, among my highlights, there is also everything we managed to create around the tennis matches to ensure that we are more than just a tennis tournament, that it is truly an event, almost a festival, where everyone can find something to enjoy. I think that through our new theme days, TennisFest during the second weekend, we have created a solid foundation on which we can now build and continue to grow. We have made our mark with Tennis Playground, and now we will continue to define it further.
Tennis Canada: You were recently recognized as one of the Top 5 to Watch at Canada’s Sports Business Awards. Congratulations! What does this recognition mean to you?
Tétreault: This award goes to the team because what we have built over the years is the result of the team's efforts and is certainly not the work of one person. It also shows how Tennis Canada has become a credible and influential organization in the sports industry because of the international success of our Canadian athletes who perform at the highest level, and also because of the success of our flagship events in Montreal and Toronto.
It was a wonderful evening where I got to meet people from the sports industry in Toronto. It was very inspiring to see what others are accomplishing. Once again, I really felt the momentum behind women's sports. I consider myself lucky to be able to work with such a strong team and for such an inspiring organization.
Tennis Canada: Gael Monfils has announced that 2026 will be his final season. What has he meant to the Montreal tournament through the years? How much are you hoping that the NBO is circled on his calendar?
Tétreault: My message to Gaël would definitely be to spare a thought for his many, many fans here in Montreal. I think it's always been a love affair between him and the Montreal crowd. I think he showed us his love the last time he came here, and that really moved me because he's always been a player I've greatly admired. I remember Gaël when we played together in juniors and he was No. 1 in the world and people were talking about him as the next superstar. He was already spectacular to watch.
I find that his personality is still just as refreshing. You really get the feeling that the main reason he plays tennis is because he enjoys it. It's inspiring for young people, and ultimately, he conveys his passion for the sport to us, and it becomes contagious. When you watch him, you automatically want to go out and play too.
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