The Canadian proved a tournament that shone a light on some of the game’s brightest young stars.
Ben Shelton won his first Masters 1000 title in Toronto, after coming from a set down to defeat Karen Khachanov.
Over in Montreal, 18-year-old Victoria Mboko also came from behind to seal a memorable first WTA title win.
Some great moments were created during the Canadian Open, despite the absence of the ATP’s highest-ranked players, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty ImagesCanadian Open tournament director Karl Hale wants Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at the 2026 event in Montreal
Both Sinner and Alcaraz withdrew from this season’s Canadian Open, which is now 12 days long.
The pair chose to commence the summer North American hard court swing at the Cincinnati Open instead.
In a bid to secure their services for the 2026 ATP Canadian Open in Montreal, tournament director Karl Hale disclosed a conversation he had with Sinner and Alcaraz and shared if he thinks they will return to Canada to compete.
“I would have Sinner and Alcaraz come! I actually told them because we were in talks when they withdrew and we talked to them for several days,” Hale told the Nothing Major podcast.
“I said ‘okay, we are here in 2026. You’re going to be in Montreal. And just make sure that happens!’ I am very, very confident that they will be in Montreal next year.
“I do not think it’s an issue because of what we are doing with the Tours and bonus pools and all of those things and also the three weeks between our tournaments next year.”
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesKarl Hale describes how Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner compare to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s popularity
Throughout most of the 2000s and the 2010s Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were the biggest stars in men’s tennis.
Their epic rivalry and contrast in styles enthralled fans around the world and once they entered a tournament, arenas would be packed out to watch them play.
They became bona fide tennis superstars and as Sinner and Alcaraz continue to dominate the current era, Canadian Open tournament director Hale thinks the pair are on their way to creating a similar profile for themselves.
“I think they are 40% of the way there,” Hale. “I think Federer, Novak and throw Andy in there. When they were at the height of their mania, especially Roger, it penetrated the fabric of society globally.
“He was not just a tennis icon, he was a sporting and news icon. They are just getting there because they are so new.
“Sinner’s first Masters series was in Toronto and it was only two years ago, whereas those other players like Federer, Novak and Nadal were 20 year brands like Serena.”