MONTREAL, July 26, 2017 (Tennis Canada Press Release)
The Montreal 2017 edition of Rogers Cup presented by National Bank will kick off on the right foot with the return of Milk Family Weekend from Friday August 4 to Sunday August 6 beginning at 9 am. For the occasion, the tournament will open its doors to the public so that they can watch the best players in the world practice for free. In addition to the tennis, there will be a multitude of activities for the whole family. Baseball, ball hockey, hit the target games, and much more to entertain every one of all ages.
Practices and qualifying matches
Beginning Friday August 4, fans will be able to watch their favourite players practice at Uniprix Stadium. On Saturday and Sunday, veterans Ernests Gulbis, Marcos Baghdatis, and Marcel Granollers along with ATP NextGen players Frances Tiafoe, Hyeon Chung, Daniil Medvedev, and several Canadian players will try and earn their place in the main draw.
Official draw ceremony
Fans are invited to attend the official draw ceremony which will be held on Friday August 4 at 4 pm on the main stage. A top ATP player will be in attendance and the atmosphere will be festive thanks to free drinks offered by Peroni.
Baseball game
On Friday August 4 at 2 p.m., tennis players will trade their raquets for baseball bats on National Bank Court when they take on former Expos Derek Aucoin, Claude Raymond, and Denis Boucher.
NHL players will face ATP players
On Saturday August 5 at 2 pm, National Bank Court will feel like a skating rink when the NHL goes up against the ATP in the Sportsnet Ball Hockey Challenge presented by Knapper. Jonathan Drouin will participate proudly wearing the Canadiens jersey for the first time. His Montreal teammates Charles Hudon and Michael McCarron will also be in attendance along with Alex Burrows of the Ottawa Senators, Antoine Roussel of the Dallas Stars, Jonathan Huberdeau of the Florida Panthers, Alexander Killorn of the Tampa Bay Lightning, as well as former Canadiens player Donald Audette and his son Daniel of the Laval Rocket.
Celebrity match
To conclude the weekend in style, Jean-René Dufort, Alexandre Barrette, Mikael Kingsbury, Alex Burrows along with other celebrities will showcase their tennis skills during a celebrity match on Sunday August 6 at 2 pm.
Main draw matches will begin on Monday August 7.
