The North American hardcourt swing is officially heating up as the players arrive in Canada for the 2026 National Bank Open. With the women’s draw taking over Sobeys Stadium in Toronto from August 1 through August 13, the practice courts are already buzzing with the top-tier players, including Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina.
Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina Spotted Practicing in Toronto as Amanda Anisimova Makes Major Coaching Change
The Canadian Open is where many stars return to court after Wimbledon. This year, for the WTA, the main draw in Toronto begins on Sunday, August 2, and ends the following Thursday.
Former World No. 1 Swiatek was seen hitting the practice courts in Toronto in a relaxed tee and pink shorts. The six-time Grand Slam champion has struggled to find her form this year, failing to reach a single final at any court. Her uncharacteristic early exits at the majors, including a quarterfinal loss at the Australian Open, a fourth-round defeat at Roland Garros, and a third-round exit at Wimbledon, have caused a ranking dip to World No. 8.
#igaŚwiątek 👸🎾🇵🇱
1st practice in Toronto 💕💗💞#NBO26 (IG/matchpointcanada) pic.twitter.com/sZKkXhkIZO— Fan 2 Iga Forever ❤🏆👸🎾🇵🇱 (@Fan2Tennis44) July 28, 2026
Joining Swiatek is Rybakina, whose 2026 campaign has been full of ups and downs. The Kazakh started the year impressively, winning her first Australian Open title by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final. That took Rybakina to a career-high World No. 2 ranking as well.
However, despite winning the Stuttgart Open, the months following Melbourne were underwhelming. Her clay campaign ended with a second-round loss to Yuliia Starodubtseva at the French Open, and her grass-court swing was equally disappointing after a third-round exit at Wimbledon. Now back on her preferred fast hard courts, Rybakina was spotted practicing in Toronto yesterday.
Few seconds of Elena Rybakina yesterday during practice at Toronto among other players. #WTA
📸tournament /IG stories. pic.twitter.com/TdrQdYueV3— Sebastien G. (@sebsharfam2) July 31, 2026
Meanwhile, Amanda Anisimova is making major headlines after reuniting with her former coach, Hendrik Vleeshouwers. This comes just four months after their partnership came to a sudden halt in March following back-to-back round-of-16 exits at Indian Wells and Miami.
The World No. 9 is trying to rediscover her form in Toronto with Vleeshouwers back in her corner, as he has guided her to two WTA 1000 titles and two Grand Slam finals in 2025.
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There is also Bianca Andreescu, the hometown favorite, on-site. The 2019 Canadian Open and US Open champion has always thrived on home soil. Born in nearby Mississauga, Ontario, Andreescu is looking to use the early practice time to improve the hardcourt form that has previously helped her reach World No. 4. Also spotted grinding through early sessions is Eva Lys, who is aiming to make a deep run in Toronto.
There are more to arrive in Toronto, including Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, and Mirra Andreeva. The defending champion, Victoria Mboko, will not compete due to an MCL injury in her left knee that will keep her out through the US Open.
