#FIRSTLOOK: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NATIONAL BANK OPEN 2025

For the first time ever, Tennis fans are treated to a record 12 days of action at the NATIONAL BANK OPEN! Originating in 1881, this is known as the world’s second longest-running tournament only after Wimbledon. That means that any and all of the sport’s greatest have competed and won here in our City! We’re talking Serena, Roger, Martina, Monica, Rafael, Andre, Arantxa, Steffi. Legends!

We had the absolute honour of attending our very first Tennis tournament, courtesy of Destination Toronto, and it was unmatched – pardon the pun! We were guided through Sobeys Stadium by Tournament Director Karl Hale – this man travels to Wimbledon with talent, he’s a big deal – where the event goes in Toronto till August 7, 2025, with action across multiple courts.

Not only did we get to visit the spaces where the athletes recharge, prep and dine – yes, we were only a little starstruck by the names we saw up-close – we got to be Centre Court! Fascinating to get a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes and what the Sport is really doing to focus on mental wellness of its athletes. What an incredible experience! We were pampered like royalty in a guest suite, complete with a concierge. We were fed and watered with the best, while in the presence of THE BEST!

The event which also takes place in Montreal, isn’t only about the matches, there’s something for everyone. Was adorable seeing kids walk around with giant tennis balls, hoping to get autographs because you just never know who you will run into here!

There was a litany of dining options available too with pop-ups, plus several activations from the likes of Sobeys, Psycho Bunny, Gatorade, Lindt and a chance to take home some swag too! We even sat-in briefly on a Mental Health panel inside the Audi VIP Lounge in the AC, which was appreciated, as it was a scorcher!

Above this, there were retailers on-site and at The Merchant of Tennis, we got to meet rapidly-rising star GABRIEL DIALLO who has propelled to stardom, flying into #36 ranking in the span of recent months. To be young, handsome and that talented!

We took lots of content. Was honestly unforgettable!

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More on the historic NATIONAL BANK OPEN here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: US WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TEAM DOCU-SERIES COMING THIS FALL TO NETFLIX

Who’s got Tennis fever? A multi-episode doc-series following the US Women’s National Team’s World Cup journey will premiere globally on Netflix this Fall, 2023. The series is a co-production with TIME Studios, Words + Pictures, and Togethxr.

Synopsis:

The all-access sports series will allow audiences to intimately follow the US Women’s National Team’s players and coaches and reveal an inside look at the most decorated team in soccer history. Viewers will get a first-hand look at the pressure, the euphoria, the joy, and the hardships that these world-class athletes experience as they strive to capture their third World Cup title in a row. Issues ranging from racial diversity, LGBTQ+ rights, equal pay, family, and motherhood are all brought to light as the narrative unfolds.

The series will capture all of the personal and team preparation on the road to their biggest FIFA World Cup. Throughout their tournament run, audiences will learn how this team stands on the shoulders of those who played before them, and how they continue to break the glass ceiling for equality in sports for women of the future.

The series will include veteran champions like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, who recently announced this was her last World Cup, 18-year-old rising star Alyssa Thompson as well as US Women’s World Cup Team first timers Sofia Huerta, Lynn Williams and Kristie Mewis. Additional names will be announced at a later date.

The series is currently in production in New Zealand and Australia following the team as they compete for the 2023 World Cup.

On July 13, 2023, at the ESPY Awards, the US Women’s National Team was awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for their strength and determination, fighting for pay parity in soccer.

Directed by two-time Emmy award winner and TIME Studios Executive Producer Rebecca Gitlitz (30 for 30 Shorts, 2012 Summer Olympics).

Executive Produced by Emmy award winner Connor Schell (The Last Dance, OJ: Made in America, 30 for 30) with Mike Beck, Alexa Conway, Libby Geist, Rebecca Gitlitz, Ian Orefice, Jamie Patricof and Jessica Sherif.

Produced by Marie Margolius and Nick Eisenberg.

This series joins Netflix’s lineup of sports programming, including Drive To Survive, Full Swing, Break Point, the brand-new NFL series Quarterback, and the anthology series Untold which returns with Volume 3 this August.

(Photo credit: Netflix)

#SPOTTED: VASEK POSIPISIL IN TORONTO AT ROGERS CUP KICK OFF PARTY

Running Saturday, August 4, 2018 through Sunday, August 12 2018 concurrently in Toronto’s Aviva Centre and Montreal’s IGA Stadium, Tennis’ finest are descending upon Toronto for the 138th edition (for men) and 127th edition (for women) of the Canadian Open, known as Rogers Cup, presented by National Bank. The event will see men competing in the former and women competing at the latter.

Kicking it all off tonight at Toronto’s The Rec Room was a festive bash with Tournament Director Karl Hale and Vasek Pospisil, who is set to compete early next week. Vancouver-born Pospisil who has been ranked as high as #25 in the world back in 2014, currently sits at #92 with career earnings of over $5.05 million. He chat with partygoers and in a round of rapidfire questioning from Hale, he reveals that he loves sushi, brunettes and is in fact single.  He also says that of all competitions he’s been to, Wimbledon still remains his favourite.

See some Snaps from the night. Hover cursor left and right to navigate slideshow:

Causing a ‘racket’! Fun kicking-off #RogersCup with #VasekPospisil, who is slated to play early next week! Good luck to Vasek, whom in response to some rapidfire questioning revealed he’s single, loves brunettes, sushi and counts Wimbeldon as his favourite competition! 🎾 Swipe left for more.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Aug 2, 2018 at 5:38pm PDT

 

Get your tickets and learn more about the Rogers Cup now here!

 

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#SPOTTED: MILOS RAONIC IN TORONTO FOR ROGERS CUP

With the Rogers Cup under-way currently at Rexall Centre in Toronto up till August 10th, we were bound to see some Tennis Stars around the City.  We were lucky enough to cross paths with the brilliant 23-year-0ld Milos Raonic, who was out with his Father after a Dinner at ONE Restaurant.  The Canadian-raised Tennis Star at one point was ranked sixth in the World.  Raonic was gracious to stop for Fan Photos tonight after being spotted by Fans leaving the Restaurant and as expected, was a total Class Act!

See our Snap:

More on the Rogers Cup here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Associated Press)

#SPOTTED: ANDY RODDICK & BROOKYLN DECKER IN TORONTO FOR “SPORT CHEK FACE-OFF”

Fantastic day for Tennis Fans as retired former World #1 Tennis Player Andy Roddick made his way north to Toronto from Dallas for an Exhibition Match this weekend at Air Canada Centre.  Here to support her Husband of course is stunning Model/Actress Brookyln Decker who even with v. little Make-up still looked stunning upon arrival this afternoon.

Both Husband and Wife were super-nice to stop for a quick Snap, especially after a really early day. It was charming hearing Roddick call Decker by her Nickname, “Brook” as he called her over to take a Photo.  Later in the evening, she joined Celebrity Blogger Jared Eng (Just Jared)  and her Battleship Co-Star Rihanna at her 777 Tour Secret Show, held at Danforth Music Hall.  See their Backstage Snap here.

Roddick is set for a Match-up against Canada’s Finest, Milos Raonic in the Sport Chek Face-off, set to take place tomorrow night, while Greats Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska are to be pitted against one another on the Undercard.  What makes this Event amazing also is that Fans will have a chance to interact with these Champs with two Autograph Signings being held tomorrow.  A first is set to take place with Williams, Roddick and Raonic at 12:45 PM, Toronto Eaton Centre Sport Chek, with a second to be held 6:15 PM with all four Players at Air Canada Centre.

Click here for more Information on the Event.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)