- Reigning champion Rafael Nadal to compete in Toronto.
- Tennis Canada issues status update on Toronto tournament with four weeks to go.
The very first edition of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers is set to be packed full of stars as the world’s best players on the ATP Tour descend on Toronto from August 7-15, 2021. See below for an update on the status of the National Bank Open in Toronto.
In Toronto, the top 37-ranked players on the ATP Tour are all on the entry list. Among them is World No. 3 and defending National Bank Open champion Rafael Nadal. The record-equaling 20-time Grand Slam champion will come to Canada hoping to rekindle the success he had in 2019 when he claimed the title in Montreal before going on to clinch a fourth-career US Open. Fans will also be looking forward to giving heroes’ welcomes to Canadians Denis Shapovalov, Félix Auger-Aliassime, Milos Raonic, and wildcard Vasek Pospisil, who will be determined to capitalize on home-court advantage.
“I’m very happy to return to Canada to play in Toronto,” said reigning champion Nadal. “Toronto is a fantastic tournament and I have had some really great matches there. As a matter of fact, I won there the last time we played and I would love to defend my title this August and be again with my fans in Canada and around the world.”
“We couldn’t be happier to bring world-class tennis back to Toronto this year at the very first National Bank Open presented by Rogers,” said Karl Hale, Tournament Director of the National Bank Open in Toronto. “After having to postpone our tournaments in 2020, we are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming some of the best players the ATP Tour has to offer to Sobeys Stadium next month. I have had great discussions with many of the players, including the likes of defending champion Rafael Nadal, World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev and World No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas, who have all said they are looking forward to competing in Toronto for the first time in three years. Add in the excitement around our incredible Canadians – Denis, Félix, Milos and Vasek – and we have the perfect recipe for an unmissable tournament.”
Click here to see the full Toronto player list.
Sportsnet is the official English broadcaster and TVA Sports is the official French broadcaster of the 2021 National Bank Open. Fans who are unable to attend the events in person are also encouraged to follow the official National Bank Open social media channels on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the official website, www.nbostg.rain-digital.com. Fans can also download the official National Bank Open app on the Apple App Store or Google Play at the end of July.
Update on the status of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers
The National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Toronto has received letters of approval on its protocols from the municipal and provincial health authorities. The protocols are currently being reviewed by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Once the necessary Federal approvals are received, the organization is confident of also being able to host a limited number of fans at the Toronto tournament, especially following the recent announcement regarding Stage 3 of Ontario’s reopening plan. Tennis Canada is in the process of contacting existing ticketholders regarding their seats and is hopeful of releasing a limited number of tickets on general sale closer to the tournament.
“I’m excited Ontario will host our world-class tennis athletes for the National Bank Open later this summer in Toronto,” said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. “Now more than ever it’s critical we support our sports sector to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and fully restore their significant social and economic contributions in communities across Ontario.”
