TORONTO, August 6, 2024 (Tennis Canada Press Release)

The National Bank Open presented by Rogers broke an alltime attendance record during its annual 407 ETR Family Weekend by welcoming over 34,000 fans to the grounds of Sobeys Stadium, beating the previous record of 31,935 set last year. Taking place on Sunday, August 4, and Monday, August 5, fans enjoyed qualifying matches and a host of fun activities onsite.

“We’re so proud to break our attendance record for the 407 ETR Family Weekend,” said Karl Hale, Tournament Director of the NBO Toronto. “We do a fantastic job of building on the fan experience year over year. Family Weekend is also a great opportunity to introduce more fans to the sport and give them the opportunity to catch their favourite players in practice. We’d like to thank all our partners who activated to make this a special couple of days.”

Many of the WTA Tour’s top players could be spotted at various activities around the grounds. Canadians Bianca Andreescu and Marina Stakusic took part in yoga and dog therapy sessions respectively as part of the Mental Timeout initiative supported by Beneva. Meanwhile, fellow Canadian Rebecca Marino led a Cashmere tennis clinic with first-time junior players, and a ball hockey game took place on Court 1 between players from the PWHL Toronto and the WTA Tour’s Caroline Dolehide, Victoria Azarenka, Maria Bouzkova, Daria Kasatkina, Jelena Ostapenko and Shelby Rogers.

Tennis Canada’s Fan Zone featured an all-new NBO photobooth and tennis simulator, along with the return of the Rogers Ball Crew Challenge, Rogers First Set Tennis, Har-Tru Knock ‘em Down Challenge and 407 ETR Fastest Serve Cage, which was visited by Emma Navarro and Sloane Stephens. A new “Meet the Players” space outside the Players’ Lounge also ensured fans had the chance to get autographs and photos with the likes of top-ranked Canadian Leylah Annie Fernandez, Olympic bronze medallist Gabriela Dabrowski and Ons Jabeur as they passed through.