Protas longs for an encounter with Sobolenko - locating a suitable venue for their rendezvous
In a surprising turn of events, Belarusian tennis sensation Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from the 2025 Canadian Open, also known as the National Bank Open, which is set to take place at the IGA Stadium in Montreal from July 27 to August 7. The decision comes due to fatigue, as Sabalenka prioritises her recovery ahead of defending her titles at the Cincinnati Open and the US Open later this summer [1].
Initially slated to be her next tournament, Sabalenka's immediate plans have changed, and the next confirmed event on her schedule is now likely the Cincinnati Open, followed by the 2025 US Open. This means that the Belarusian star will be taking a break to ensure she is in optimal shape for these major hard-court events later in the summer.
The tournament in question, the Omnium Banque Nationale presented by Rogers in Montreal, is a WTA 1000 event and part of the North American hardcourt series leading up to the US Open. The tournament, which will take place from July 26 to August 7 in 2025, has been expanded to 12 days and boasts a capacity of nearly 11,800 spectators at the IGA Stadium's central court in Jarry Park [2].
Meanwhile, Ilya Protas, a forward for the Washington Capitals and a passionate tennis fan, has expressed his belief in Sabalenka's potential for many big wins. Protas, who cultivated his love for tennis through his mother, often follows the results of tennis tournaments, even when his hockey career prevents him from attending in person.
In recent years, the Montreal tournament has seen some exciting finals. In 2023, Jessica Pegula defeated Ludmila Samsonova, 6-1, 6-0, while in 2024, Pegula secured the title again, this time against Amanda Anisimova, with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 [3]. Anisimova, who lost to Sabalenka in a semifinal, is set to compete in Canada next, as Sabalenka recovers and prepares for her upcoming tournaments.
[1] Sabalenka Withdraws from 2025 Canadian Open Due to Fatigue, Prioritizing Recovery: https://www.wtatennis.com/news/aryna-sabalenka-withdraws-from-2025-canadian-open-due-to-fatigue-prioritizing-recovery [2] 2025 Canadian Open: Tournament Details: https://www.tenniscanada.com/2025-canadian-open-tournament-details/ [3] Past Champions: Omnium Banque Nationale presented by Rogers: https://www.tenniscanada.com/past-champions-omnium-banque-nationale-presented-by-rogers/
Not attending the Omnium Banque Nationale presented by Rogers in Montreal this year, Aryna Sabalenka has opted to focus on her recovery, aiming to be at her best for the upcoming hard-court tournaments: the Cincinnati Open and the US Open. In her absence, tennis enthusiasts will eagerly watch Amanda Anisimova, who was defeated by Sabalenka in a semifinal last year, compete in her place.
