National Bank Open: The best players will be in Montreal

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41 of the top 44 tennis players in the world will be at the National Bank Open in Montreal next month.

• Also read: Andreescu, Marino and Fernandez have a bye to the Canadian Open main draw

Below this number we find the “Big Three” of women’s tennis, including the world’s first player, Iga Swiatek.

Also included is second hitter, Aryna Sabalenka, who won the Australian Open last January, and third, Elena Rybanika, who triumphed in Indian Wells and Rome.

Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki as well as the Canadians Leylah Annie Fernandez, Bianca Andreescu and Rebecca Marino also received byes.

top 20

“I couldn’t have asked for anything better [que] “To have all the top 20 and to have Elina Svitolina, who has been talked about a lot in recent weeks,” says Valérie Tétreault, who will be contesting her first competition as tournament director after succeeding Eugène Lapierre.

According to the former player, this strong turnout shows Montreal’s interest in the circuit.

“The tournament is not yet mandatory on the WTA circuit, so the players really had to choose to play in Montreal. It shows how the tennis fans have done their job here, as they are the main reason [pour laquelle] The players are here.

“She is one of the best, if not the best, player this tournament has ever had. We have eleven Grand Slam winners and five players who won the tournament on Canadian soil.

Legend and Return

The Canadians Leylah Annie Fernandez, Bianca Andreescu and Rebacca Marino were awarded for the passes. It was also awarded to Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki.

“Venus is a legend. She is 43 years old. I’m 35 and I don’t know how she manages to play at this level. It’s probably the last time we’ll have the opportunity to see them here,” says Tétreault.

Wozniacki is making a comeback three years after announcing her retirement. The Dane, once number one in the world, contacted Tétreault personally.

“In March I received a message on WhatsApp from Caroline wanting to speak to me. She told me about a family trip to Tremblant and finally she told me that she has been training for a few weeks, feels good and is thinking about going back.

“She asked me if she could get a spot, she wanted to start preparing for the US Open and won’t be in Cincinnati until our tournament.”

The return of Wozniacki, who became a mother twice during her retirement, is not unlike that of Elina Svitolina. The Ukrainian lost in the semifinals at Wimbledon on Thursday morning.

“It’s unexpected to think about giving birth in October, coming back in April and being among the best in the world in July,” Tétreault points out.

pay equity

Equal pay was also discussed at the unveiling of the player list on Thursday.

This year, players will receive 32% of the scholarships awarded to men during the Canadian Open, approximately $2.7 million. However, we have already announced equal pay for the 2007 tournament.

“Why is it so long? Because the current gap is huge, explains Tétreault.

A change in the tournament format will remedy this in the next few years.

“In 2025, it will increase to 60% when our tournament switches to a 12-day main draw, which will allow us to generate more revenue.”

Watch the announcement in the main video.