Family Weekend Kicks Off National Bank Open in Toronto

Toronto is buzzing as the National Bank Open kicks off with its Family Weekend! Fans flocked to Sobeys Stadium on Sunday to soak in the sporty atmosphere, and the best part? It was all free!

Every year, the opening weekend draws in more and more people, and this time was no different. There were loads of fun activities set up to make sure both kids and adults had a great time.

The morning featured a cool “Have a Go” wheelchair tennis activity, giving fans a chance to try their hand at tennis from a different perspective. Then, in the afternoon, tennis star Beatriz Haddad Maia, who was a finalist in 2022, took some time to sign autographs. Remember, she had quite an unforgettable run two years ago, defeating big names like Iga Swiatek and Belinda Bencic!

One of the highlights for the kids was the LEGO booth, which hosted a Master Builders competition. The fun vibes attracted a crowd eager to show off their building skills!

During the day, various WTA players sat down for press conferences ahead of the tournament. Local favorite Marina Stakusic shared her excitement about making her main draw debut at her hometown event. She reminisced about attending the tournament as a child, recalling the thrill of catching a couple of Djokovic’s racquets back in 2012 when he won the final.

Another standout, Leylah Annie Fernandez, ranked No. 15, is stoked to team up again with her little sister, Bianca Jolie, in the women’s doubles. Leylah reflected on her Olympic experience and how it has driven her to keep improving and adapting as an athlete.

As for the matches, the action began with 32 players competing for just eight spots in the main draw. Canadian Stacey Fung was making her qualifying debut against Jule Niemeier. After a strong showing in an ITF event recently, she brought in the confidence needed to secure a hard-fought victory!

Eugenie Bouchard, another Canadian favorite, also hit the courts, facing off against Moyuka Uchijima despite being significantly out-ranked. She had a solid start but unfortunately couldn’t keep the momentum going, losing the match in three sets. Still, it was an impressive performance given her limited matches this season.

The National Bank Open is here, running from August 4 to 12, and it promises to bring more thrilling tennis and exciting moments at Sobeys Stadium.