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National Bank Open introduces new expanded format and schedule for 2025 tournament
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    National Bank Open introduces new expanded format and schedule for 2025 tournament

    Changes are afoot for one of Canada’s biggest tennis tournaments.

    On Wednesday, Tennis Canada announced a new era for the National Bank Open, with the show-stopping event taking on a new look starting summer 2025. This includes a larger draw and expanded schedule.

    Next year, there will be 96 singles players in the main draw competing over 12 days, instead of 56. The doubles draw will move from 28 teams to 32.

    The tournament upgrade means the National Bank Open will “join an elite group of six extended combined events on the WTA and ATP Tours,” bringing the event closer to that of a Grand Slam. 

    The dates for next year’s tournaments in Toronto and Montreal were also announced, which will see a one-day, 32-player qualifying format kicking off on July 26. The main draw will get underway on July 27 in both cities.

    Quarterfinals will be spread over Aug. 4 and Aug. 5, while semifinals will be played on Aug. 6. Both women’s and men’s finals will take place on Aug. 7.

    Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, No. 33 on the WTA Tour, said: “As Canadians, it’s great
    to see our home event getting even bigger and better. It’s always a highlight of the year to play at the National Bank Open in Montreal or Toronto, and I can’t wait to see the positive impact this new format will have on the fans, the cities and Canadian tennis.”

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    The National Bank Open, one of the premier tennis tournaments in the world, has announced a new expanded format and schedule for its 2025 edition. The tournament, which is held annually in Canada, will now feature an extended schedule and more opportunities for players to compete.

    One of the biggest changes to the tournament is the addition of a new qualifying round, which will give more players the chance to earn a spot in the main draw. This will not only provide a platform for up-and-coming players to showcase their talent, but also add an extra layer of excitement to the event.

    In addition to the qualifying round, the National Bank Open will also introduce a new round-robin format for the group stage of the tournament. This format will see players divided into groups and play against each other in a series of matches, with the top players from each group advancing to the knockout stage. This change is expected to create more competitive matches and add to the overall drama of the tournament.

    The expanded schedule for the 2025 National Bank Open will also include more opportunities for fans to attend matches and engage with the event. In addition to the main draw matches, there will be more exhibition matches, fan events, and activities for spectators to enjoy throughout the tournament.

    Overall, the changes to the format and schedule of the National Bank Open are aimed at making the tournament more inclusive, competitive, and exciting for players and fans alike. With these updates, the 2025 edition of the tournament is sure to be one of the most memorable yet.