The National Bank Open kicks off in Montreal

The National Bank Open is here once more in Montreal and Friday families and fans alike had the opportunity to participate up close and personal, from watching the athletes train on the courts to getting the chance to take part in all the action.

“It’s about making sure that some new fans, as well as kids are, are discovering tennis or getting interested in the sport,” says Valérie Tétreault, the Tournament Director of the event.

National Bank Open tournament director Valérie Tétreault (Felisha Adam, CityNews Image)

“I grew up playing tennis, and now I get to bring my two boys to watch the tennis and enjoy all the, the fanfare and just to see games of tennis that are really good quality,” says Angela, a fan of the sport.

“It’s a nice family event. It’s very welcoming, we came over with our son. There are a lot of nice facilities, a lot of nice activities,” says Adrian Wu.

The weekend will see over 40 thousand fans enter the stadium, the women this year in Montreal and the men in Toronto. Friday, Fans looked on as players practised on the courts ahead of the first rounds of Qualifiers set for Saturday.

“I like the sport I like the athletes who compete there. It’s a very tough sports. I really admire their strength and watching them play,” says Connie Wan as she watched the Woman’s world number one Iga Swiatek train.

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“You’re a lot closer to the players when you see them practice…you see their personality also. You can interact a little bit with them. They’re a little bit more relaxed, for sure, because they’re in practice mode rather than actually in the in match mode,” says Tétreault.

This year will see the best of the best players compete, including Canadian players Bianca Andreescu, Rebecca Marino as well as Montrealers Leylah Annie Fernandez and Genie Bouchard. Bouchard last playing in Montreal in 2019.

“It’s the first time in a long time that she plays here in Montreal, where she grew up. I saw her practice a little bit yesterday. She looks in good shape. She was smiling the whole time. I think she’s quite happy to be back home with her friends and her family,” says Tétreault.

“We are really happy to be here,” says young fans and players of tennis Beatrice and Miya,it’s the first time they’ve the chance to see players practice up close.

“I like it because I learn a little more about the technique and how to play,” says Beatrice, “I really want to move with them. When I see them throwing the ball like that, I really want to continue playing tennis because I like watching them play. It teaches a lot of things,” added Miya.

The tournament this year special for them as young who play the sport.

“It’s different because we see a mix, you don’t often see women playing tennis,” added Beatrice.