The 2021 Canadian Open (branded as the 2021 National Bank Open presented by Rogers for sponsorship reasons) were outdoor hard courttennis tournaments played from August 6 to August 15, 2021, as part of the 2021 US Open Series. The men's event took place at the Aviva Centre in Toronto, and the women's tournament at the IGA Stadium in Montreal. It was the 131st edition of the men's tournament—a Masters 1000 tournament on the 2021 ATP Tour, and the 119th edition of the women's tournament—a WTA 1000 tournament on the 2021 WTA Tour.[1][2]
They were originally scheduled to be played from August 8 to August 16, 2020, as part of the 2020 tennis season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition of the Canadian Open was postponed to 2021 by Tennis Canada.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, postponement to 2021
The men's and women's tournaments alternate between Toronto and Montreal annually. On April 11, 2020, pursuant to a request by the province of Quebec (the COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec was the centre of the first wave of the pandemic in Canada) for all cultural and sporting events to be cancelled through August,[3] Tennis Canada announced that the women's half of the Canadian Open, as part of the 2020 WTA Tour, would be postponed and held in Montreal in 2021.[4][5]
The men's half of the event was still tentatively scheduled, but was still at risk of cancellation or postponement if the ATP and WTA extended their suspension of play into August, or if Toronto or the province of Ontario made a similar order that also applies to the period.[4][5] Toronto had already cancelled all city-led major events, festivals, conferences, permits and cultural programs until June 30, 2020. Although subject to provincial restrictions on public gatherings, Mayor John Tory stated that these did not necessarily bar the hosting of sporting events.[6][7]
On June 17, 2020, Tennis Canada officially announced that the men's tournament had also been postponed[8] to 2021, citing logistical and safety issues that would be present for players and staff even if the event were to be held behind closed doors, including a federal health order requiring 14 days self-isolation upon arrival for anyone travelling to Canada.[9] As they have been postponed, the men's and women's tournaments will still be held in Toronto and Montreal as per the traditional rotation.[9][8]
On February 1, 2021, National Bank was promoted to title sponsor of the tournament, replacing Rogers Communications, which now serves as presenting sponsor.[10]
The following are the seeded players. Rankings are as of August 2, 2021. Points before are as of August 9, 2021.
Because the tournament is being held one week later than the last edition in 2019 and as a result of special ranking adjustment rules due to COVID, the Points before column already reflects either a 50% reduction in the player's 2019 points or the substitution of the player's next best result.[13] Accordingly, the Points defending column has been adjusted to show the greater of (a) 50% of the player's 2019 points and (b) the player's 19th best result.
Following the tournament, players will count either their 2021 points or 50% of their 2019 points, whichever is greater.[14]
In addition, because the tournament is not mandatory in 2021, players may count their next best result instead if that result is better. Accordingly, points after will differ from points before only if the player's 2021 points won exceed points defending.
† Due to a change in schedule for the 2021 tournament and COVID ranking adjustment rules, the Points defending column reflects the greater of (a) 50% of the player's 2019 points and (b) the player's 19th best result. Instances of the latter are enclosed in parentheses.
‡ Because the 2021 tournament was non-mandatory, the player substituted his 19th best result instead of the points won in this tournament.
Other entrants
The following players received wild cards into the main singles draw:
Bold denotes the mandatory tournaments (WTA 1000) † – Tournaments are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic * – Tournaments are introduced due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
