The 2025 National Bank Open in Toronto has kicked off with an expanded 96-player draw, promising a thrilling two weeks of high-stakes tennis on the hard courts of Sobeys Stadium. Running from July 27 to August 7, this ATP Masters 1000 event boasts a hefty prize purse of $9,193,540, attracting some of the world’s best despite notable absences.
Top seed Alexander Zverev and American Taylor Fritz, seeded second, headline the men’s singles field after the withdrawal of several marquee players. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, Grand Slam titan Novak Djokovic, and Hubert Hurkacz are all out, leaving the tournament wide open for a new champion to emerge. Defending champion Alexei Popyrin returns to defend his title, adding intrigue to the competition.
Since its founding in 1881, the National Bank Open has been a showcase of tennis excellence, ranking just behind Wimbledon and the US Open in longevity. The tournament alternates annually between Montreal and Toronto, with this year’s edition hosted in Toronto’s North York district. Past champions read like a who’s who of tennis royalty, including Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, underscoring the event’s prestige.
The expanded 96-player draw mirrors a Grand Slam format, stretching the tournament over 12 days. While this approach offers more opportunities for players, it has been critiqued for diluting the intensity typical of Masters 1000 events, sometimes resulting in sparse action between marquee matchups.
In the top half of the draw, Zverev, currently World No. 3 and a 2017 Montreal champion, enjoys a first-round bye before potentially facing Adam Walton or Benjamin Bonzi. A rising star to watch is 18-year-old Brazilian João Fonseca, who could challenge Zverev in the early rounds after navigating qualifiers. A possible fourth-round clash with 14th seed Francisco Cerundolo looms, with Cerundolo holding a perfect 3-0 head-to-head record against Zverev, including a recent win in Madrid.
Zverev’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster — he reached the Australian Open final, where he fell to Sinner, and claimed a title in Munich. However, a disappointing early exit at Wimbledon highlights ongoing consistency issues. His recent training stint at the Rafa Nadal Academy, with coaching from Toni Nadal, may provide a fresh edge heading into Toronto.
Also in Zverev’s quadrant is Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 Toronto champion, who could meet Zverev in the quarterfinals. Medvedev’s hard-court prowess remains formidable despite a title drought since 2023 and a recent loss to Corentin Moutet in Washington. The top half also features Lorenzo Musetti and Casper Ruud, seeded third and eighth respectively, both battling injuries. Musetti could face Denis Shapovalov, a Canadian fan favorite and recent Los Cabos champion, in the third round. Shapovalov, who made the semifinals in Canada in 2017, will be buoyed by home support.
Ruud’s recent knee troubles could open the door for Tomas Machac, who might capitalize on the Norwegian’s vulnerabilities. This section of the draw promises intriguing matchups with plenty of room for surprises.
The bottom half is anchored by Taylor Fritz, the 2024 US Open finalist and second seed. After a stellar grass season, Fritz enters Toronto as a strong contender, although he recently squandered a 5-2 lead in the third set against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Washington, signaling he’ll need to tighten up his game.
Fritz’s opening matches appear favorable, likely facing clay-court specialists Camilo Ugo Carabelli or Roberto Carballes Baena before a potential third-round showdown with either Borna Coric or Canadian wildcard Gabriel Diallo, whose home crowd support could be a factor.
In the fourth round, Fritz may encounter Jiri Lehecka, who reached the Queen’s Club final this year, or Arthur Fils, known for deep runs in Monte Carlo and Barcelona before an injury setback. A quarterfinal against Andrey Rublev, boasting 11 hardcourt titles but trailing Fritz 4-5 head-to-head, would be a marquee clash.
The bottom half also features an exciting potential American quarterfinal between Ben Shelton (fourth seed) and Frances Tiafoe (seventh seed). Shelton faces Marcos Giron in the second round and could meet Brandon Nakashima or Flavio Cobolli in the fourth. Tiafoe’s path is tougher, possibly facing Cameron Norrie, Stefanos Tsitsipas, or Alex de Minaur in the later rounds. De Minaur, with seven hardcourt titles to his name and a recent strong showing in Washington, poses a formidable challenge with his exceptional movement and consistency.
Canadian hopefuls Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov will be eager to capitalize on the home advantage, aiming to make deep runs that could electrify the local crowd. Their performances will be closely watched as they seek to add to Canada’s tennis legacy.
The tournament’s use of the Wilson US Open ball on outdoor hard courts will test players’ adaptability and stamina, especially given the summer heat in Toronto. The event’s prestige and substantial prize money continue to attract a competitive field even amid withdrawals.
With so many top players missing, the 2025 National Bank Open presents a golden opportunity for rising stars and established contenders alike to seize a coveted Masters 1000 title. The open draw and the blend of youth and experience promise captivating tennis action over the coming days.
As the matches unfold, fans will be watching to see if Zverev can capitalize on his top seed status, if Fritz can build on his strong grass season, and whether the Canadians can harness their home support to make a breakthrough. The tournament’s rich history and competitive field ensure that the National Bank Open remains a highlight of the tennis calendar.
Stay tuned as this exciting chapter in Canadian tennis continues, with plenty of drama and high-quality tennis expected at Sobeys Stadium through August 7.
