logo
World No. 1 Sabalenka, top-10 player Badosa withdraw from National Bank Open

World No. 1 Sabalenka, top-10 player Badosa withdraw from National Bank Open

Tennis
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and 10th-ranked Paula Badosa have withdrawn from the upcoming National Bank Open.
The 27-year-old Sabalenka, who advanced to the semifinals at Wimbledon last week before being upset by Amanda Anisimova, cited fatigue for her reason not to compete in the WTA 1000 event.
Sabalenka said skipping Montreal gives her the best chance of success in the upcoming hard-court season.
'I'll miss my amazing Canadian fans, but I'm already looking forward to seeing you all next year,' Sabalenka said. 'Thanks for your understanding and support — it means the world to me.'
Badosa said after a first-round loss to Katie Boulter at Wimbledon that she sustained a back injury that will keep her out of action for a few weeks.
Caty McNally of the United States and Japan's Moyuka Uchijima were given main-draw berths into the tournament in a corresponding move.
The National Bank Open starts July 26 at IGA Stadium.
This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 5:58 PM.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

National Bank Open's longer format is bad news for tennis fans, players: experts
National Bank Open's longer format is bad news for tennis fans, players: experts

CBC

time18 minutes ago

  • CBC

National Bank Open's longer format is bad news for tennis fans, players: experts

Social Sharing Toronto tennis fans were served up disappointment after the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and other top players dropped out of the National Bank Open this year — a trend experts say could repeat if the tournament structure doesn't change. The National Bank Open (NBO) expanded from one week to 12-days of competition, with the men facing off in Toronto and the women in Montreal from July 26 to Aug. 7. This year the tournament comes two weeks after Wimbledon and is immediately followed by the Cincinnati Open and the U.S. Open a week after that. The change limits the amount of rest time for top players, said Gill Gross, tennis commentator with Monday Match Analysis. "Tennis is played 11 months out of the year. So, it is a grind for these players as is, but the expansion of the Masters 1000 to two-week events has actually made it worse," he said. "They're spending more days out of the year at tournaments, living in hotels, out of suitcases, living with the anxiety that they feel just in that tournament mode, instead of being at home." Gross and a former professional Canadian tennis player both say the NBO will continue to see withdrawals from tennis stars in the future if the elongated Masters 1000 schedule isn't changed. While NBO Toronto tournament director Karl Hale says he's excited for the new format, he says they will discuss possible changes with the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). "We're going to have talks with the tours about how we can mitigate against this, so we have some really good ideas," Hale said. "I just think the 12 days is bigger, better for the tournament, for the fans, more broadcasts … more kids watching and participating in tennis. So I think it's better for tennis in Canada." Hale says Wimbledon's earlier schedule means players will have a longer break period ahead of the NBO next year. World No. 1 Sinner, No. 2 Alcaraz, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and world No. 5 Jack Draper pulled out of the ATP Masters-level hardcourt event earlier this week, citing injuries. WATCH | Canadian tennis player Vasek Pospisil will retire following the 2025 NBO: Canadian tennis pro Vasek Pospisil announces retirement from the sport| Hanomansing Tonight 19 hours ago Could fewer stars benefit Canadian players? Gross says the NBO's expansion from one to two weeks of competitions initially seemed like a good idea, with more games for fans and more money for tournaments. "The rationale originally was you stretch out the premium product … that is your money-making product," he said, adding days off between matches initially seemed to address the needed rest time for players. Instead, former tennis player Bobby Mahal says players prefer weeks of rest ahead of the Masters and the U.S. Open. "That rest period is so crucial because you have got to remember that Sinner and Alcaraz played in the French Open, then they go all the way to the Wimbledon final," he said. However, Mahal says the changing lineup is good news for Canadian players and fans. "We can now watch the event and cheer on the Canadians. I think we have got two Canadians in the top 30 now with legitimate chances for deep runs in Felix (Auger-Aliassime) and Denis (Shapovalov)," he said. 'These kids have trained in Canada their whole life … so that hometown crowd plus the hometown conditions is a huge factor that can help them." WATCH | Canadian players Felix Auger-Aliassime and Bianca Andreescu win big ahead of the NBO: Canadians Auger-Aliassime and Andreescu win the Hopman Cup 3 days ago Canada won the Hopman Cup for the first time, as Bianca Andreescu and Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Italy's Lucia Bronzetti and Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-3 in the deciding doubles match in Bari, Italy. Auger-Aliassime is ranked 27 and Shapovalov is 28 in the world, according to the ATP's website. Hale says he's also hoping for a Canadian victory, similar to Bianca Andreescu's win at the NBO in 2019. "The tour is really tough and injuries are part of the tour and it benefits the Canadians. So we're looking forward to the Canadians coming of age this year," he said.

Alouettes QB Bethel-Thompson embraces ‘daunting challenge' that lies ahead
Alouettes QB Bethel-Thompson embraces ‘daunting challenge' that lies ahead

Montreal Gazette

timean hour ago

  • Montreal Gazette

Alouettes QB Bethel-Thompson embraces ‘daunting challenge' that lies ahead

McLeod Bethel-Thompson had no illusions when he was traded to the Alouettes from Edmonton last winter. The veteran quarterback arrived in Montreal specifically to back up starter Davis Alexander. He might play a game or two, but Bethel-Thompson was with the Als as an insurance policy. One-third into the CFL regular season, those plans have gone awry. Bethel-Thompson has already played two games, at Hamilton and against B.C., while Alexander recovered from a hamstring injury. But Alexander reinjured his left leg late against Toronto last Thursday while scoring the winning touchdown and has been placed on the six-game injured list. While a player can be removed from that list at any time — his salary doesn't count against the cap in the meantime — the Als will be Bethel-Thompson's team for the foreseeable future. And they're heading into the most difficult stretch of their schedule beginning Thursday, when Montreal meets Calgary at McMahon Stadium (9 p.m., TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM). The Stampeders (5-1) have the league's best record and are coming off road wins at Saskatchewan and Winnipeg. Calgary has defeated Winnipeg twice this season and is averaging 30.2 points scored, while allowing a league-low 18.5. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., a former Alouette, has passed for 1,720 yards and eight touchdowns, although he has been intercepted six times. The Stamps have continued winning despite the absence of injured receiver Reggie Begelton, who caught 92 passes for 1,150 yards last season while scoring four touchdowns. He had three 100-yard games. While the Als are 4-2, their next four games after Calgary are against the Roughriders, Edmonton, at B.C. and against Winnipeg before a bye week in the schedule. 'Sports always is a little bit more than you think you're ready for (but) I love it,' Bethel-Thompson said Tuesday after a practice at Stade Hébert. 'I love the challenge, the opportunity. I couldn't ask for a better week, going into a really good team's house and to get back in the saddle. I'm excited for the opportunity. I'm excited to do it for this team. 'Every lesson you learn, you're better prepared each week,' added the 37-year-old, who spent five seasons with Toronto and led the Argonauts to the 2022 Grey Cup. While Bethel-Thompson passed for an impressive 3,748 yards and 24 touchdowns with the Elks last season, the team was 3-10 during his starts, and he was eventually replaced by Canadian Tre Ford. Bethel-Thompson is 0-2 with Montreal. He completed 24 of 41 passes for 203 yards against Hamilton with one touchdown. But he was intercepted twice and fumbled once into the Als' end zone that was recovered for a touchdown. He likely played well enough against the Lions to win. Bethel-Thompson was good on 15 of 23 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns. A potential third score was dropped by receiver Charleston Rambo. 'It's an awesome offence,' Bethel-Thompson said. 'It's very dynamic and very multiple. It's varied and full of motions, alignments and changes. It's full of every type of read you could possibly have. Full of every type of high-low, inside-out. It's everything that is an offence — and especially a CFL offence that has motion and 12 people. It's really a fun challenge. Every week is mental gymnastics and I really enjoy it. 'That's what's so great about it. It feels new,' he added. 'It's a new team, a new opportunity, a new experience and a new way to feel how urgent this game is for this team at this time. It lost one of its good players, one of its emotional leaders. How can I step up to that opportunity and be the right guy for this team in this moment? It's a daunting challenge and one I look forward to. It's very urgent (for himself). I want this one probably more than anybody else on this team. I haven't had a win as the starting quarterback with this team yet.' For the second consecutive week, the Als will be missing Canadian receiver Tyson Philpot (hamstring). Return-specialist James Letcher Jr. (hand) will be replaced by Lincoln Victor, who attended training camp with Ottawa and will be making his CFL debut. Cornerback Lorenzo Burns (shoulder) returns, but linebacker Najee Murray (hamstring) is listed as a game-time decision. Head coach Jason Maas, a former CFL quarterback, knows it's paramount that Bethel-Thompson displays improvement. 'Quarterbacking is very simple. It comes down to decision-making,' he said. 'When he's in there, no matter how many reps he has had, he has to make great decisions each and every play, throw the ball accordingly, make the reads accordingly and lead the offence. That's all he has to do. He doesn't have to do anything special. 'Do I expect him to be better? Absolutely, just because of the practice and the opportunities he has been given. But our whole team has to be better. If just he gets better and nobody else, we're not going to be as good.'

Alouettes QB Bethel-Thompson embraces 'daunting challenge' that lies ahead
Alouettes QB Bethel-Thompson embraces 'daunting challenge' that lies ahead

Ottawa Citizen

time2 hours ago

  • Ottawa Citizen

Alouettes QB Bethel-Thompson embraces 'daunting challenge' that lies ahead

Article content McLeod Bethel-Thompson had no illusions when he was traded to the Alouettes from Edmonton last winter. Article content The veteran quarterback arrived in Montreal specifically to back up starter Davis Alexander. He might play a game or two, but Bethel-Thompson was with the Als as an insurance policy. Article content One-third into the CFL regular season, those plans have gone awry. Article content Bethel-Thompson has already played two games, at Hamilton and against B.C., while Alexander recovered from a hamstring injury. But Alexander reinjured his left leg late against Toronto last Thursday while scoring the winning touchdown and has been placed on the six-game injured list. Article content Article content While a player can be removed from that list at any time — his salary doesn't count against the cap in the meantime — the Als will be Bethel-Thompson's team for the foreseeable future. And they're heading into the most difficult stretch of their schedule beginning Thursday, when Montreal meets Calgary at McMahon Stadium (9 p.m., TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM). Article content Article content The Stampeders (5-1) have the league's best record and are coming off road wins at Saskatchewan and Winnipeg. Calgary has defeated Winnipeg twice this season and is averaging 30.2 points scored, while allowing a league-low 18.5. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., a former Alouette, has passed for 1,720 yards and eight touchdowns, although he has been intercepted six times. The Stamps have continued winning despite the absence of injured receiver Reggie Begelton, who caught 92 passes for 1,150 yards last season while scoring four touchdowns. He had three 100-yard games. Article content While the Als are 4-2, their next four games after Calgary are against the Roughriders, Edmonton, at B.C. and against Winnipeg before a bye week in the schedule. Article content 'Sports always is a little bit more than you think you're ready for (but) I love it,' Bethel-Thompson said Tuesday after a practice at Stade Hébert. 'I love the challenge, the opportunity. I couldn't ask for a better week, going into a really good team's house and to get back in the saddle. I'm excited for the opportunity. I'm excited to do it for this team. Article content 'Every lesson you learn, you're better prepared each week,' added the 37-year-old, who spent five seasons with Toronto and led the Argonauts to the 2022 Grey Cup. Article content While Bethel-Thompson passed for an impressive 3,748 yards and 24 touchdowns with the Elks last season, the team was 3-10 during his starts, and he was eventually replaced by Canadian Tre Ford.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store