The National Bank Open, held alternatingly in Montreal and Toronto, stands as one of the most pivotal tournaments in the ATP and WTA calendars. Played on outdoor hard courts every August, the event represents a decisive turning point in the North American hard-court swing leading directly into the US Open. With a history dating back to 1881, substantial prize money totals of $9,193,540 on the ATP side and $5,152,599 on the WTA side in 2025, and defining performances from Canadian players like Félix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Milos Raonic, and Victoria Mboko, Montreal has become a stage where seasons shift direction. Success here does not simply add points; it recalibrates expectations, confidence, rankings, and global perception.
History and Heritage
The National Bank Open began as the Canadian Championships in 1881, making it one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world, outside of Wimbledon and the US Open. That historic foundation gives Montreal a sense of permanence within a sport that constantly evolves. The event has grown from its early amateur roots into a cornerstone of the professional calendar, now classified as a mandatory ATP Masters 1000 event for the men and a WTA 1000 event for the women. Over decades, champions have used victories in Canada to anchor some of the most dominant seasons in tennis history.
From its 19th-century origins to its present-day global broadcast reach, the tournament has maintained relevance through every era. The longevity itself enhances its weight. Players are not merely competing for a title; they are adding their names to a champions’ list that stretches back more than 140 years.
Strategic Timing in the ATP Season
Every August, the National Bank Open occupies one of the most strategic slots in professional tennis. Positioned squarely in the North American hard-court swing, it bridges the transition from European clay and grass seasons to the decisive final Grand Slam of the year, the US Open. This timing intensifies its importance because players are adjusting surfaces, fine-tuning tactics, and chasing ranking improvements ahead of Flushing Meadows.
Momentum built in Montreal frequently carries forward. A deep run provides confidence on the same surface type used at the US Open. A title delivers 1000 ATP ranking points, dramatically influencing seedings and draws for New York. Conversely, an early exit can force players to rethink preparation. Few tournaments outside the Grand Slams exert such immediate impact on the season’s narrative.
Prize Money and Ranking Points
Financial incentives and ranking stakes underscore the tournament’s elite status. In 2025, the ATP event offered total prize money of $9,193,540, with the men’s singles champion earning $1,124,380 along with 1000 ranking points. On the women’s side, played in Montreal that year, the tournament featured $5,152,599 in prize money, and the women’s singles champion collected $752,275.
These figures are not symbolic; they shape careers. Ranking points determine tournament entries, seedings, sponsorship leverage, and long-term positioning. The financial rewards provide stability and fuel for future training, travel, and coaching investments. When a player wins in Montreal, the immediate payoff is tangible in both earnings and standings.
Draw and Format Expansion
Beginning in 2025, the National Bank Open expanded to a 96-player main draw for both ATP and WTA competitions. That structural change aligned the event more closely with Grand Slam formats and increased opportunities for lower-ranked competitors to enter the spotlight. A larger draw means more rounds, more matches, and greater endurance demands.
The expanded field amplifies unpredictability. Established stars must navigate additional rounds, while emerging players gain chances to upset seeded opponents. With more athletes competing for the same 1000-point prize, the pathway to the title becomes more demanding, increasing the prestige of those who ultimately lift the trophy.
Legendary Champions
The champions list reflects the tournament’s stature. Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Jannik Sinner are among the names etched into Montreal’s history. Ivan Lendl holds the record for the most men’s titles with 6, a benchmark that illustrates both dominance and consistency.
Victories by figures such as Djokovic and Federer often preceded deep US Open campaigns. Winning in Canada has historically signaled form peaking at the right moment. The presence of multiple-time champions reinforces the event’s competitive credibility and elevates its standing within the Masters 1000 tier.
Canadian Stars and Home Support
Few atmospheres in tennis match the electricity of Canadian players competing in Montreal. For Félix Auger-Aliassime, reaching the quarter-finals fueled national belief that he could become the first Canadian men’s champion of the Open Era, with the last local men’s title dating back to Robert Bédard in 1958. The pressure and inspiration of home crowds transform matches into emotional spectacles.
Denis Shapovalov and Milos Raonic have also carried the weight of expectation on these courts. Crowd support does more than generate noise; it can shift momentum during tight service games or tiebreaks. Canadian players often elevate their intensity levels, feeding off thousands of fans urging them forward.
Breakthrough Moments
The 2025 edition produced one of the most dramatic breakthroughs in recent memory. Victoria Mboko, an 18-year-old Canadian wildcard ranked No. 85, defeated Naomi Osaka 2–6, 6–4, 6–1 in the final. Her path included victories over Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Sofia Kenin, all major champions. That run propelled her to a career-high ranking and transformed her status overnight.
An upset sequence of that magnitude reverberates across the tour. Defeating multiple Grand Slam winners in a single week reshapes confidence, sponsorship appeal, and locker-room perception. Montreal became the catalyst for Mboko’s ascent from promising talent to established contender.
The Competitive Field
The National Bank Open consistently attracts elite lineups. Recent fields have included Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Taylor Fritz among the top seeds. When multiple top-10 players converge in one draw, every round carries high stakes.
Depth defines the event. Early matches can feature top contenders clashing with dangerous floaters. As the draw progresses, match quality often resembles Grand Slam intensity. The concentration of ranking points and prize money ensures that no player treats Montreal lightly.
Influence on Betting Markets
Performance trends in Montreal ripple outward immediately. According to betting sites Canada results here can shift expectations more sharply than earlier summer tournaments. The strength of field, surface similarity to the US Open, and 1000-point reward force bookmakers to adjust odds significantly.
A player lifting the trophy in Montreal may see US Open odds shorten within hours. Conversely, a top seed exiting early can drift in market valuation. The tournament acts as a data point that recalibrates predictions across sportsbooks, reflecting its perceived predictive power within the season.
Cultural and Economic Significance
Montreal’s hosting duties elevate the city into a global tennis destination each August. Packed stadiums, international media coverage, and an influx of visitors create measurable economic activity. The event not only distributes $9,193,540 and $5,152,599 in prize pools but also stimulates tourism revenue and local business growth.
Beyond economics, the cultural imprint is lasting. Children attend matches and witness athletes like Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov, and Mboko competing on home soil. Those images strengthen Canada’s tennis identity and reinforce Montreal’s place on the international sporting map.
The National Bank Open’s blend of history dating back to 1881, a 96-player draw, $1,124,380 and $752,275 champion paydays, 1000 ranking points, record achievements like Ivan Lendl’s 6 titles, and landmark victories such as Victoria Mboko’s 2–6, 6–4, 6–1 comeback against Naomi Osaka defines why it is a season-changing tournament. Positioned between continents and before the US Open, Montreal is not just another stop. It is where narratives shift, rankings surge, and the road from Canada reaches the world stage.
