The prestigious National Bank Open in Montreal ushers in a critical phase of the WTA season with top-tier play as Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff seek to capitalize on their recent Grand Slam triumphs. Swiatek, seeded second, arrives determined to reclaim the No. 1 ranking and to sustain her momentum after clinching her maiden Wimbledon title. Her participation injects significant star power into a draw missing Aryna Sabalenka.

For both Swiatek and Gauff, this tournament represents an opportunity to build towards the final major of the year. Gauff returns to competitive action following an early exit at Wimbledon, where she was defeated by Dayana Yastremska. Both athletes have yet to reach the final at this event, making their campaigns this year particularly important.

Swiatek’s path appears challenging, with possible early encounters against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Clara Tauson, both players enjoying successful seasons. The quarterfinals could see matches against Madison Keys, Belinda Bencic, or Karolina Muchova, with a semifinal potentially setting up a clash with two-time defending champion Jessica Pegula.

Gauff, meanwhile, may face Danielle Collins in an early round, followed by possible matches against Jasmine Paolini, Ekaterina Alexandrova, or Diana Shnaider—the latter having defeated Gauff previously in Montreal. Gauff’s confidence will be closely watched after her breakthrough at Roland Garros and the disappointment at Wimbledon.

Jessica Pegula, seeking a third consecutive title at her near-home event, remains a formidable contender on the fast courts favored by the Buffalo native. Despite some inconsistencies this season, she holds an impressive overall record of 35-14 with three titles and a world ranking of No. 4.

As the 96-player draw unfolds, the Montreal tournament offers an engaging preview of the race to the year’s concluding Grand Slam, highlighting the competitive depth and narratives unique to the WTA tour.

The seventh WTA 1000 event of the year is set to begin at Montreal’s IGA Stadium from July 27 to August 7. This tournament features seven of the top 10 ranked players in the women’s singles draw, creating a highly competitive field.

Notably absent from the draw is world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who withdrew before the draw was finalized. The top two seeds remaining are Coco Gauff, ranked No 2 globally, and Iga Swiatek, the newly crowned Wimbledon champion. Defending champion Jessica Pegula, who won the previous edition in Toronto by beating Amanda Anisimova, is also in action.

Coco Gauff leads the top section of the draw and could start her campaign against Danielle Collins, provided Collins overcomes a qualifier. Their meeting would be a first-time encounter. Gauff’s path may lead her to face seeds Jasmine Paolini, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Ashlyn Krueger in later rounds. In Gauff’s half of the draw, fourth seed Mirra Andreeva could meet Emma Navarro in the quarter-finals.

Iga Swiatek heads the bottom half of the draw and enjoys a first-round bye due to her seeding. Swiatek’s opening opponent will be a qualifier or Yulia Putintseva, the last player to defeat Swiatek at Wimbledon. Further rounds may see her face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and seeds Clara Tauson or Magdalena Frech. Madison Keys, the Australian Open champion, is also in Swiatek’s quarter and could challenge the Pole in the quarter-finals.

Emma Raducanu, returning to her British No 1 ranking, begins her Montreal run against Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Raducanu’s next potential opponent is 32nd seed Peyton Stearns, with Amanda Anisimova projected in the third round—against whom Raducanu holds a favorable head-to-head record recently. Seeds Elina Svitolina and Elise Mertens present additional challenges on her path. Pegula is the highest seed in Raducanu’s quarter, with Liudmila Samsonova, Jelena Ostapenko, and Magda Linette among other contenders.

Wildcards for the event include 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu and Canadian prospect Victoria Mboko, adding local interest to the mix. The tournament promises compelling matchups and significant ranking point opportunities as players vie for the prestigious WTA 1000 title in Montreal.

The men’s field at the 2025 National Bank Open in Toronto faces significant challenges with key stars absent. Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Jack Draper have all opted out, citing injury concerns and scheduling preferences, particularly the extended 12-day format that demands a prolonged stay in North America. This shift in the calendar has complicated the build-up to the US Open and altered the composition of the draw.

Despite this, the tournament boasts its largest field yet with 96 players, opening the door for the next tier of competitors to capitalize. At the top of the seed list are Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz. Zverev’s recent struggles with form and mindset have been well noted, and his time spent training at the Rafa Nadal Academy this month may prove crucial for his performance. His 2017 victory here, where he defeated Roger Federer, seems a distant memory amid current difficulties.

Conversely, Taylor Fritz comes into the event on the heels of his maiden Wimbledon semifinal appearance. Historically, Fritz has just one Masters 1000 title, making this a prime opportunity for him to progress in a draw lacking his usual high-ranking rivals.

Also in focus is American Ben Shelton, seeded in the Top 4 of a Masters 1000 for the first time. Shelton has showcased his best results at Grand Slams but is eager to establish consistency and challenge for Masters titles. Early matches could see him face compatriots Marcos Giron and Brandon Nakashima.

Last year’s National Bank Open was heavily impacted by the Olympics, leading to a shorter schedule and the absence of marquee players. This year, although the big names remain missing, tournament officials are already contemplating measures to prevent such attrition post-Wimbledon in the future.

While the absence of marquee stars may reduce the event’s star power and stakes, competitive matches, strong performances from local players, and potential upsets could maintain fan engagement and tournament excitement. The storylines emerging from the 2025 event will likely hinge on these evolving dynamics.