Venus Williams Awarded Wildcard into National Bank Open in Toronto
[TORONTO, ON] July 2, 2026 – Tennis Canada today announced seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and four-time Olympic gold medallist Venus Williams has been awarded a wild card into the main draw of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers (NBO). Williams will be making her 13th appearance in Canada, with her best result coming in 2014 when she defeated her sister Serena Williams to reach the final.
“I’m so thrilled to be back playing in Toronto. It’s a city and a tournament that have always meant so much to me,” said Venus Williams. “The National Bank Open has been part of my journey since I received one of my first wild cards here at just 15 years old. It’s wonderful to return to a place with so many special memories, and I can’t wait to compete again in front of Toronto’s amazing tennis fans.”
“We are thrilled to welcome the legendary Venus Williams back to the National Bank Open,” said Karl Hale, Tournament Director – Toronto. “Her determination and remarkable longevity continue to inspire fans around the world, and we – along with the rest of the tennis community – are delighted to see her competing at the biggest tournaments and to have her back in Toronto once again. This year’s tournament is shaping up to be another historic edition, kicking off with the addition of one of the sport’s all-time greats to the player field, and we look forward to bringing fans from Canada and around the world together, while continuing to grow the game across our country.”
This is the first wild card announced for this year’s tournament, with seven still to come, including one reserved for the winner of the Road to the NBO competition. The entry list for the WTA event in Toronto will be revealed on Wednesday, July 8, with remaining wild cards announced closer to the tournament.
The NBO is set to take place from August 1-13 at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto. Fans can purchase tickets to the event in Toronto at this link.
