Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka will enter the National Bank Open women’s main draw as a wildcard, Tennis Canada announced. The 26-year-old former world No. 1 is making her return to tennis this year after taking a break for the birth of her first child.
“I’m thrilled to be playing at the National Bank Open this year,” Osaka said in a statement. “The city of Toronto has an amazing energy and I can’t wait to be back there. I’m incredibly grateful for the wildcard opportunity and look forward to playing in front of the passionate Canadian fans.”
In addition to Osaka, Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino and Toronto’s Marina Stakusic are also wildcard recipients, joining Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ontario. The 33-year-old Marino and 18-year-old Stakusic were part of the Canadian team that won the Billie Jean King Cup in November.
“We couldn’t be happier to provide this opportunity to two well-deserving Canadians who we know fans will be excited to see in action,” said NBO Toronto tournament director Karl Hale. “And, to welcome a player of Naomi’s quality and star power back to Toronto is going to be a real treat for everyone.”
Montreal’s Eugenie Bouchard and Carson Branstine, along with Toronto’s Katherine Sebov, secured qualifying wildcards. The final qualifying wildcard will be awarded to the winner of a pre-qualifying draw.
Qualification is set for August 4 and 5 at Sobeys Stadium, followed by main-draw action.
Naomi Osaka in 2024
LWWWLWLWLW Currently ranked no.102, Osaka played her last match on the 3rd of July when she lost to world no.15 Emma Navarro 6-4 6-1 in the 2nd round in Wimbledon (draw).
This season Osaka has managed to achieve a 16-13 win-loss record.
Naomi Osaka will square off with Anna Danilina in the . In the past, they have never played each other so far on the main tour.
Osaka won 7 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
Naomi Osaka |
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