2026 National Bank Open Toronto Players: Meet…

The National Bank Open presented by Rogers has had many surprises over the past few years.

With so much disparity on the WTA Tour this season, having crowned eight different champions over the first nine “Big” events of the season, the 2026 National Bank Open title can truly be anyone’s once again.

Here are some players outside the WTA Top 10 to look out for in Toronto.

(Note: Rankings and statistics are as of July 20 and may not correspond directly to the player list announced on July 8.)

Venus Williams

Age: 46
Current Ranking: 467
Career-High: 1
NBO Appearance: 11th
Best NBO Result: Runner-up (2014)
Most Recent NBO Result: Round one (2023)
2026 Record: 0-8
Career NBO Record: 10-10

One of tennis’ all-time greats will be back in Toronto for the first time since 2022. Venus Williams returned to the tour in Washington last season, following a one-year hiatus, and is still competing at 46-years-young.

Venus will not need much of an introduction when she steps foot onto Sobeys Stadium. The former world No. 1 is a seven-time Grand Slam champion and has won eight WTA 1000s, not to mention her gold medal in singles at the 2000 Olympics. The American’s best result at the National Bank Open was a runner-up finish in 2014, when she beat her sister Serena in the semis to reach the final, and even over a decade later, it’s still impossible to count out Venus.

Marta Kostyuk

Age: 24
Current Ranking: 11
Career-High: 11
NBO Appearance: 4th
Best NBO Result: Quarter-final (2025)
Most Recent NBO Result: Quarter-final (2025)
2026 Record: 27-6
Career NBO Record: 5-3

Marta Kostyuk is one of the most in-form players heading into the National Bank Open and is right on the verge of cracking the Top 10. The Ukrainian is 21-3 since April, winning titles in Rouen and Madrid then making the semifinals at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon.

Although Kostyuk has struggled on hard courts this season so far, she still started the year with a final in Brisbane and earned her best National Bank Open result in 2025 by reaching the quarters. Her first tour-level title was on the concrete as well – 2023 ATX Open – so the 24-year-old’s run of form is sure to translate on the hard courts of Toronto this August.

Naomi Osaka

Age: 28
Current Ranking: 13
Career-High: 1
NBO Appearance: 7th
Best NBO Result: Runner-up (2025)
Most Recent NBO Result: Runner-up (2025)
2026 Record: 20-8
Career NBO Record: 11-6

Naomi Osaka would not have forgotten how close she was to getting her hands on the National Bank Open trophy last year, so safe to say she’ll be extra motivated to claim the title in 2026.

The former world No. 1 is back to competing at her best after beginning 2025 ranked outside the Top 50 due to her leave in 2023. Last season, the Japanese made her first WTA 1000 final since 2022 in Montreal and was back in a Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open, over four years after winning her fourth major at the 2021 Australian Open.

Osaka is coming off a solid grass season this year, making the Bad Homburg final and defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to reach the Wimbledon quarters, bringing her up to No. 13 in the WTA rankings – her highest since 2022.

Belinda Bencic

Age: 29
Current Ranking: 14
Career-High: 4
NBO Appearance: 6th
Best NBO Result: Champion (2015)
Most Recent NBO Result: Round three (2025)
2026 Record: 23-9
Career NBO Record: 15-4

It was over a decade ago since Belinda Bencic won her maiden WTA 1000 title at the 2015 National Bank Open in Toronto. The 18-year-old defeated Canadian No. 1 Eugenie Bouchard in her opening match then took out three Top 6 players, including world No. 1 Serena Williams, on her way to the winner’s circle.

Now, Bencic will be back in Toronto for the first time as a mother, and the Swiss has been at her finest following her return from maternity in 2025, winning two WTA 500 titles and reaching her first Wimbledon semifinal last year.

Then, to begin 2026, Bencic led Switzerland to a United Cup triumph, which brought her back into the Top 10 after starting the 2025 season ranked outside the Top 450.

Alexandra Eala

Age: 21
Current Ranking: 28
Career-High: 28
NBO Appearance: 2nd
Best NBO Result: Round one (2025)
Most Recent NBO Result: Round one (2025)
2026 Record: 30-18
Career NBO Record: 0-1

Alexandra Eala fans are sure to be loud as the Filipina makes her first Toronto appearance this year. The 21-year-old has made so much history for her country including being the first Filipina to break into the Top 30, make the second week of a major, and reach a WTA final in the Open Era.

Also, beware if you’re a Top 10 player at the National Bank Open. Eala has five wins over Top 10 players this season so far; beating Elina Svitolina (8), Elena Rybakina (2), and Iga Swiatek (3) just over the course of June. The world No. 28’s stunning results earned her WTA Player of the Grass-Court Swing honours.

Taylor Townsend

Age: 30
Current Ranking: 83
Career-High: 46
NBO Appearance: 2nd
Best NBO Result: Quarter-final (2025)
Most Recent NBO Result: Quarter-final (2025)
2026 Record: 15-10
Career NBO Record: 3-1

Taylor Townsend is someone to watch after she automatically gained a National Bank Open main-draw spot due to Jasmine Paolini’s withdrawal. The American made her first WTA 1000 singles quarter-final at the event in 2024 – doing so as a lucky loser – and she looks to repeat the feat in Toronto again.

Townsend has been solid on North American hard courts over the past year, making the second week of the 2025 US Open by beating the likes of Jelena Ostapenko and Mirra Andreeva in straight sets. The world No. 83 also reached her first WTA singles final in Austin earlier this season.

The WTA's best return to Toronto next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at Sobeys Stadium. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo: Sarah-Jade Champagne