The National Bank Open will expand next year. The organization announced on Wednesday that from 2025, the tournament schedule would be extended and its main draw would be expanded.
Thus, both in Montreal and Toronto, the competition will now extend over 12 days, while the main draw will increase from 56 to 96 players. Four sessions will be added, including an additional round.
A one-day qualifying draw of 32 players will be set up in advance on Saturday, July 26. Main draw activities will begin the next day.
The quarter-finals will be spread over two days, August 4 and 5, and will only take place in the evening. The two semi-finals will be held in a single evening session on August 6. Finally, the men’s and women’s finals will be played on Thursday, August 7.
The doubles competition is also expanded, with the field increasing from 28 to 32 teams.
In a press release published Wednesday, the organization argues that by adopting such a calendar, the event “will thus join an elite group of six extended mixed tournaments on the WTA and ATP circuits”.
“Thanks to this expansion of the format, the National Bank Open is closer to the format of a Grand Slam tournament, which will have a positive effect on athletes and fans. It will also offer the cities of Montreal and Toronto the opportunity to enjoy even greater visibility to shine on the international scene,” rejoiced Valérie Tétreault, director of the Montreal Open.
Finally, note that the 12-day format will only be in effect in non-Olympic years. When Games are held in the same year, the tournament will be reduced to seven days.
