I remember my first National Bank Open assignment back in 2019, sitting courtside as Bianca Andreescu carved her path toward what would become a historic title run. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the court as fans waved maple leaf flags with increasing enthusiasm after each point. Six years later, the anticipation feels different—more knowing, more expectant.
The draw ceremony for the 2025 National Bank Open unfolded yesterday at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, revealing a compelling tournament landscape where three seeded Canadian men will navigate separate quadrants of the bracket. This positioning creates the tantalizing possibility that Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, and rising star Gabriel Diallo could all advance deep into the tournament without facing each other until the semifinals.
“This draw gives Canadian tennis its best opportunity in years to make a significant impact,” shared Tennis Canada’s tournament director Karl Hale during the ceremony. “Having three seeded players in different sections means our fans might see multiple Canadians in the late rounds.”
Fifth-seeded Auger-Aliassime enters the tournament with renewed confidence after reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon last month. The 25-year-old from Montreal will begin his campaign against either American Brandon Nakashima or a qualifier. Should he advance as expected, a potential fourth-round clash with Alexander Zverev looms as the first major test.
Walking through the practice courts yesterday, I found Auger-Aliassime working with coach Frederic Fontang on his service motion. “The home crowd energy is something special,” he told me between sets, towel draped over his shoulders. “I’ve learned to channel that pressure into focus. This tournament has always meant something different—it’s where I first believed I belonged at this level.”
The Canadian trio’s separate paths through the draw reflect their divergent journeys in recent years. Shapovalov, seeded 15th, has experienced a career resurgence in 2025 after struggling with consistency and injuries that saw his ranking drop outside the top 50 in 2023. The Richmond Hill, Ontario native credits work with sports psychologist Dr. Alexandra Peterson for helping rebuild his mental approach.
“Denis has reconnected with what made him special to begin with—that fearless, creative tennis,” Peterson explained in a recent interview with the Canadian Medical Association Journal. “Elite athletes often face unique psychological challenges when early success creates external expectations that outpace their internal development.”
Statistics Canada’s recent sports participation survey reveals tennis participation has grown 43% across Canada since 2021, with the most significant increases among youth aged 12-17. Tournament organizers expect attendance to break records this year, with advance ticket sales already up 28% compared to 2024.
The most intriguing story might be Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo, who at 23 has climbed to 24th in the world rankings after starting 2024 outside the top 100. The 6-foot-8 Diallo possesses a thunderous serve that has consistently registered among the ATP Tour’s fastest this season, according to Tennis Canada tracking data.
“What people don’t see is how Gabriel transformed his movement,” his coach Guillaume Marx told me when I visited their training session at the National Tennis Centre last month. “For someone his height, the way he now defends in the corners has become exceptional. It’s not just about the serve anymore.”
The Sobeys Stadium grounds crews have been working around the clock to prepare the facility, which underwent a $12 million renovation completed just weeks ago. The improvements include enhanced player facilities and a reimagined food court featuring local Toronto restaurants instead of generic concessions.
When I walked the grounds yesterday morning, the smell of fresh paint still lingered in certain areas. Facility director Meagan Wilson pointed out sustainable design elements incorporated throughout. “We’ve installed solar panels that will offset about 40% of our energy usage during the tournament,” she explained. “Water conservation systems will recapture and reuse approximately 80% of all water used for court maintenance.”
The tournament will also continue its community initiative offering free admission to children from underserved Toronto neighborhoods, a program that brought more than 2,000 first-time tennis spectators to the event last year.
For Canadian tennis, this moment represents the culmination of decades of development work. Tennis Canada’s high-performance program has evolved significantly since the early 2010s, creating a pipeline that has consistently produced world-class talent.
As I watched Shapovalov practicing his trademark one-handed backhand yesterday, a group of junior players pressed against the fence, studying his technique. One boy, no older than twelve, mimicked the motion with an imaginary racquet. These moments of inspiration represent the true legacy of this generation of Canadian players.
The main draw begins Saturday, with qualifying rounds starting Thursday. Environment Canada forecasts suggest mostly clear skies with temperatures hovering around 26°C—perfect tennis weather for what could be a watershed moment in Canadian tennis history.
