Wheelchair tennis is coming to the National Bank Open this summer in Toronto.
For the first time ever, Tennis Canada will be hosting a wheelchair tennis tournament at the NBO. The aim of the event is to showcase Canadian talent and bring high-performance wheelchair tennis to the NBO fans, while promoting grassroots initiatives and growing the game of wheelchair tennis in Canada.
Here is the monthly wheelchair tennis update.
The exhibition event will run from Sunday, August 3 to Tuesday, August 5, and will feature four singles matches and three doubles matches. Four of Canada’s top players will be taking part: quads world No. 10 Rob Shaw, world No. 36 Thomas Venos, world No. 87 Barry Henderson, and quads world No. 42 Shawn Courchesne.
“We’re extremely excited to host the inaugural Wheelchair Tennis Exhibition at the NBO, which will allow us to showcase wheelchair tennis at such a high-profile and prestigious tournament,” said Kai Schrameyer, National Coach of Wheelchair Tennis at Tennis Canada.
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“Since 2007, wheelchair tennis competitions have been held at all four Grand Slams, as well as a few ATP events. The Miami Open held its debut wheelchair tennis event in 2024, and it was such a big hit that they brought it back in 2025. We hope to be able to do the same and create an experience that’s not only great for the players, but also for everyone who will be watching and following the results.”
There will also be “Have a Go” sessions on Aug. 2 and 3 for fans in Toronto to try their hands at wheelchair tennis.
Venos Comes Close in Kamloops
Thomas Venos is still waiting on his first title of 2025, but he has had plenty of close calls.
The most recent chance for the 26-year-old came in his home province last week at the Kamloops Legacy Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in British Columbia, where he reached the singles and doubles finals. Unfortunately, he was beaten in both.
In singles, Venos was the top seed and did not drop a set on his way to the final, including a semifinal win over countryman Barry Henderson. However, he was bested by second seed Ben Weekes of Australia in straight sets.
Weekes also got the better of Venos in the doubles final. The Aussie, partnering American Charlie Cooper, beat Venos and Nicolas Forgacs of France in straight sets.
The women’s event was a four-player round robin, won by American Maylee Phelps. Two Canadians, Anne-Marie Dolinar and Natalia Lanucha, were competing. Dolinar’s lone win came over Launcha, who finished 0-3.
There is another ITF wheelchair tennis event this week in British Columbia, this time in Vancouver.
Over in Europe, Rob Shaw is back in action for the first time since Roland-Garros. He is the top seed at the Swiss Open in Geneva, where he is the defending champion. Shawn Courchesne is also in the quads draw. The two Canadians are teaming up in doubles.
Feature Photo : Rosanna U
