National Bank Open Bringing Back all the…

The 2026 National Bank Open presented by Rogers will be a trip down memory lane for Bianca Andreescu.

The Mississauga-native has come a very long way since she was the little girl at Sobeys Stadium attending the National Bank Open as a fan – and aspiring to be among the WTA’s best.

“I went [to the National Bank Open] when I was seven years old,” Andreescu said in a media availability on July 8. “I told my dad ‘I’m going to play there one day’ and looking back at those moments, they don't feel real because you can dream all you want, but when it actually happens, it just makes everything feel like you can truly accomplish what you set your mind to.”

Now, Andreescu’s accolades have become a dream for many who sit in the same spot she once did.

In 2019, the then 19-year-old became the first Canadian since 1969 to win the National Bank Open, in what was just her second main-draw appearance at the event. Andreescu defeated countrywoman Eugenie Bouchard, No. 5 seed Kiki Bertens, and third-seed Karolina Pliskova on her way to the final, where an unfortunate injury caused Serena Williams to retire in the first set.

Despite not having the most fitting end to her 2019 title run, the moment still remains the most significant of her career so far. “It just felt more special winning at home,” Andreescu said. “How everything played out throughout the whole tournament because I wasn't necessarily healthy. Then also, everybody, like all my friends and my family were there, so all those moments put together just made it more special than any other moment on tour.”

Seven years later, expectations may look a little different for the 26-year-old. Andreescu has battled through injuries and has had to be patient in order to get back to performing at her best, but she may have found that spark once again.

The former US Open champion qualified for her first Grand Slam main draw in nearly two years at this season’s Wimbledon, describing the occasion as, “definitely very emotional. I felt like I really needed to experience what that moment really felt like. So that's why I took five minutes after the match. I thanked my team and I just sat with myself.”

Andreescu’s reborn belief has come at the perfect time with the 2026 National Bank Open in Toronto under a month away. The Mississaugan’s confidence will only be amplified behind the Canadian faithful, a crowd that got her across the finish line in her dramatic first-round win last year.

Andreescu was two-points away from the second round when she suffered a nasty-looking ankle roll, barely able to get back onto her feet. However, with her ankle heavily wrapped and the home crowd behind her, she managed to serve out the match and secure a win that she has yet to get her head around.

“Last year was crazy. Just absolutely insane. But [the crowd] definitely helped me get through that match. I was in so much pain,” Andreescu said. “Playing in front of my home crowd is always so special, and the crowd gives you that extra motivation and support to keep pushing. Now, I just feel like I don't take those moments for granted anymore. The more we get older, the more we appreciate things.”

That is just what Andreescu is capable of when playing on home soil and, once the memories of 2019 come flowing back and the Canadian crowd is chanting her name, we could see something special from the former world No. 4 this year.

Andreescu is set to make her eighth National Bank Open appearance – her fifth in Toronto – after being awarded a main-draw wildcard. The world No. 180 will listen out for her name in the draw ceremony, which takes place on July 31, with hopes of maybe seeing Serena’s name in the draw as well.

“I think it's amazing what [Serena] is doing. To be off for four years and then to come back at her age is not easy, but she's definitely becoming even more of a trailblazer than she already is to do something like that,” Andreescu said. “I'm hoping she'll be able to play Toronto because I mean, if I can play her again and step on court with the legend herself one more time, it would truly be incredible, especially at home.”

The two are quite familiar with one another, having met in the National Bank Open and US Open finals in 2019, so Serena’s return to the tour opens the possibility of finishing what they started in Toronto seven years ago.

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: Peter Power