Ben Shelton, representing the United States, secured the men’s championship at the National Bank Open (NBO) by defeating compatriot Brandon Nakashima in straight sets for the second consecutive year. In a post-match speech, Shelton expressed gratitude for the opportunity to showcase his best tennis to the audience, highlighting the honor it brought him. Throughout the 2026 tournament, Shelton dominated without dropping a single set, showcasing exceptional serving skills, including hitting a serve at 230 kilometers per hour and not allowing any break-point opportunities during the one hour and 27-minute match.
The event in Montreal attracted a record number of spectators despite challenges such as inclement weather and controversies surrounding Tennis Canada’s proposed new stadium at Jarry Park. With over 309,492 attendees over the course of 13 days, the tournament surpassed last year’s attendance figures for the women’s event. Tournament director Valérie Tétreault credited the success to the momentum built from the previous year and the achievements of Canadian players, noting the growing interest in tennis beyond the tournament period.
Tennis Canada reported breaking revenue records and exceeding targets for the tournament, although specific figures were not disclosed. The organization emphasized the importance of a new stadium with a retractable roof at Jerry Park for the long-term sustainability of the event. Discussions around the preliminary plans revealed during the tournament sparked a protest against the $400 million expansion project.
Tétreault emphasized the need for collaboration to create a project that benefits various stakeholders and highlighted the potential for enhancing green spaces at Jarry Park. Looking ahead, Tennis Canada is already preparing for the 2027 tournament, where equal prize money will be awarded to male and female players for the first time. In Toronto, Poland’s Iga Swiatek clinched the women’s title by defeating Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina in straight sets, marking her first tournament victory since September last year and solidifying her status as the only player to win a WTA 1000 title in each of the last six seasons.