Toronto Home to Kayla Cross Milestone and Carol…

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For one Canadian, Monday in Toronto was just the start. For another, it was an emotional farewell to the National Bank Open presented by Rogers.

Centre Court hosted Kayla Cross’ first-ever WTA main-draw victory on Monday, the beginning of more to come for the 21-year-old from London, ON.

Cross had to keep her cool against world No. 72 Katie Boulter. The Canadian No. 4 was unable to serve out the set at 5-3, 40-15, and even had to fight off four set points in the 12^th game before eventually taking the first in a tiebreaker. The world No. 177 then broke late in the second to seal her maiden tour-level win.

“I got a text message last night asking if I wanted to be on Centre Court, obviously said yes right away,” Cross said in her post-match press conference. “The game plan going in was to try to play my game, go for the shots, and just live in the moment and be happy out there.”

Despite Sunday’s “Red Again” night being cut short due to rain, there was still plenty of red on Centre Court the following day, all getting behind Cross and helping her get through the tight moments late in each set.

“I think [the crowd] chanting my name and cheering for me before points gave me a lot of confidence,” Cross said. “Knowing that so many people were there to support me, no matter what the score was. Even when I had lost a few games at the end of the first set, they were still cheering for me just as much as when I was winning. I think that gave me a sense of calmness. Even on the opposite side of my coaching box, there were fans sitting right courtside, giving me energy and pumping me up.”

Cross has had a wild last few weeks. The Londoner won the biggest title of her career in Granby and clinched the Road to the NBO wildcard for the second-straight time.

The 21-year-old lost to Kamilla Rakhimova in her WTA 1000 debut in Montreal last year, but little did she know her moment would come a little over 12-months later in her home province, with family and friends in attendance.

“I checked my phone after the match, I think I had like a hundred notifications, so a little overwhelmed (laughing), and kind of put it away. I'm going to respond to everyone later today,” Cross said. “I know a bunch of people texted me last night that they were going to come. I ended up filling one of the suites. I was impressed I got so many people to come watch.”

Shortly after Cross’ milestone win, compatriot Carol Zhao bid farewell to the National Bank Open. The 31-year-old from Richmond Hill announced that this year would be her last NBO and her tournament came to an end against Magda Linette on Monday.

Zhao made six main-draw appearances at her home WTA 1000, first qualifying in Toronto 2013 as a teenager. Now, 13-years later, the Richmond Hillian signs off in the same city where her National Bank Open account began.

“I'm very grateful, a lot of appreciation. It really did feel like a blink of an eye,” Zhao said in her post-match press conference. “I grew up playing here. I used to come every year as a fan from when I was like seven or eight years old. It's given me all the experience in the world, so very grateful and proud to have represented Canada on this stage.”

Zhao donned the Maple Leaf multiple times in her career, highlighted by winning gold for Canada at the 2015 Pan American Games. She also captured four World Tennis singles titles and reached a career-high of No. 131 in the WTA rankings.

The 31-year-old will officially retire from professional tennis at the end of the 2026 season, but there’s still a few more stops along the way until she hangs up her racquet.

“The plan tentatively is to play out the rest of my protected rankings. I'll be playing I think at least three more events, so looking forward to that, just finishing strong,” Zhao said. “I think I'm looking at Asian swing, perhaps. Seoul, maybe Beijing, some of those.”

Following her retirement, Zhao will join the Tennis Canada Board of Directors as an observing member, continuing her longstanding commitment to the Canadian tennis community.

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

Feature Photo : Mark Blinch/Wick Photography for National Bank Open