The National Bank Open in Montreal is one of the biggest tennis events on the August calendar, with the ATP Masters 1000 tournament running from August 2 to August 13.
The event features a 96-player singles draw and is played on outdoor hard courts. The tournament carries a prize pool of more than $9 million.
Two of the biggest names are missing this year. Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic both withdrew from the Montreal tournament, with Sinner citing the need to prioritize his health after a demanding season.
Their absences have created additional opportunities for the rest of the field.
Who benefits?
Players such as Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alex de Minaur, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz are among the leading names in the field.
The tournament therefore remains highly competitive despite the withdrawals.
For younger players and lower-ranked contenders, Masters 1000 events provide valuable opportunities to earn ranking points and test themselves against elite opposition.
The road to the US Open
The timing of the National Bank Open is also important.
The North American hard-court swing leads toward the Cincinnati Open and ultimately the US Open later in August.
That makes Montreal an important form indicator.
A strong run in Canada could provide a major confidence boost before the final Grand Slam tournament of the season.