2026 National Bank Open Preview: Tennis’ Biggest Stars Ready for Toronto and Montreal
LINK: Women’s Singles Main Draw Toronto | Men’s Singles Draw Montreal Draws
The National Bank Open Begins the Race to New York
The National Bank Open has always occupied one of the most important positions on the professional tennis calendar.
Held immediately before the Cincinnati Open and the US Open, the event provides players with their first opportunity to compete on North American outdoor hard courts after Wimbledon. For many eventual Grand Slam champions, success in Canada has historically translated into deep runs in New York.
The tournament’s unique history continues in 2026:
- ATP Masters 1000 competition takes place in Montreal
- WTA 1000 competition is held in Toronto
- Expanded 12-day format
- 96-player singles draws
- More night sessions
- Increased opportunities for fans to watch the sport’s biggest names
The official draws will be conducted on July 31 before main draw action begins in early August.
Toronto Features One of the Strongest WTA Fields Ever
Toronto welcomes an extraordinary collection of women’s talent.
Tournament organizers have confirmed that 72 of the world’s Top 75 WTA players will compete, making it one of the deepest WTA 1000 fields of the season.
Among the headline stars are:
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Elena Rybakina
- Coco Gauff
- Iga Swiatek
- Jessica Pegula
- Mirra Andreeva
- Jasmine Paolini
- Madison Keys
- Emma Navarro
The strength of the entry list ensures that blockbuster matchups could begin as early as the third round.
Unlike Grand Slam tournaments where seeds often have time to settle into the event, WTA 1000 tournaments regularly produce elite matchups throughout the opening week.
Sabalenka Leads an Outstanding Championship Race
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka enters Toronto as one of the favorites after another dominant season built around aggressive first-strike tennis.
Her powerful serve and ability to dictate rallies from both wings make her especially dangerous on medium-paced North American hard courts.
If Sabalenka maintains her serving percentages, she will be difficult to stop.
Can Coco Gauff Continue Her Hard Court Success?
Few players have consistently excelled on North American hard courts like Coco Gauff.
Her elite movement, improved forehand, aggressive returning and championship experience make Toronto another excellent opportunity to capture a major WTA 1000 title.
With confidence continuing to grow, Gauff enters as one of the tournament’s biggest contenders.
Elena Rybakina’s Game Fits Perfectly in Canada
Elena Rybakina’s clean ball striking has made her one of the most dangerous players on faster surfaces.
Her ability to earn free points with her serve while flattening out groundstrokes gives her tremendous upside throughout the draw.
Should conditions play slightly quicker during the second week, Rybakina’s chances only improve.
Montreal Welcomes the ATP’s Biggest Names
The ATP Masters 1000 event in Montreal again features an exceptional field led by many of the world’s biggest stars.
Historically, the Canadian Masters has crowned legends including:
- Roger Federer
- Rafael Nadal
- Novak Djokovic
- Ivan Lendl
- John McEnroe
- Bjorn Borg
The tournament remains one of the crown jewels of the ATP Masters calendar.
Alexander Zverev Headlines the Field
World No. 3 Alexander Zverev continues to establish himself as one of the premier hard-court players in tennis.
His exceptional returning, precision off both wings and improved serving make him the man everyone must beat entering Montreal.
Hard courts remain arguably his strongest surface, and Canada represents another opportunity to strengthen his position ahead of the US Open.
Canadian Fans Have Plenty to Cheer For
One of the defining features of the National Bank Open is its incredible home support.
Canadian hopes include:
- Felix Auger-Aliassime
- Gabriel Diallo
- Leylah Fernandez
- Bianca Andreescu
- Denis Shapovalov
Home crowds have traditionally elevated Canadian performances, producing unforgettable moments over the past decade.
With the tournament expanding once again, Canadian players will have every opportunity to create new memories in front of sold-out crowds.
Players to Watch
ATP Dark Horses
- Ben Shelton
- Tommy Paul
- Lorenzo Musetti
- Alex de Minaur
Each possesses the aggressive baseline game required to succeed on North American hard courts.
WTA Dark Horses
- Mirra Andreeva
- Emma Navarro
- Diana Shnaider
Several of these players could produce breakthrough weeks capable of reshaping the remainder of the season.
Why the National Bank Open Matters
Beyond the ranking points and prize money, the National Bank Open provides one of the clearest indicators of US Open form.
Recent champions have often carried momentum directly into New York, making Canada one of the most important measuring sticks on the professional calendar.
Players arrive with:
- Fresh motivation following Wimbledon
- Renewed focus on hard courts
- Valuable ranking opportunities
- Momentum heading toward the season’s final Grand Slam
Every match carries enormous significance.
Prediction
ATP Champion Favorite
Alexander Zverev
His consistency, movement and confidence on hard courts make him the player to beat entering Montreal.
WTA Champion Favorite
Coco Gauff
With her athleticism, returning ability and championship pedigree, Gauff appears well-positioned to make another deep run in Toronto.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 National Bank Open promises to be one of the premier events of the summer, bringing together nearly every major star in professional tennis across two iconic Canadian cities. Toronto will showcase one of the deepest women’s fields in recent memory, while Montreal welcomes an ATP Masters 1000 draw filled with Grand Slam champions, rising stars, and hometown favorites. As the final preparations for the US Open begin, every match will carry added importance, making the National Bank Open essential viewing for tennis fans around the world.
For schedules, draws, tickets, and tournament information, visit National Bank Open and for the ATP event overview visit ATP Masters 1000 Canada Overview.
