Tennis Canada and National Bank proudly unveiled the Rebecca Marino Courts at Robson Park in Vancouver, BC on Wednesday as the latest facility to be revitalized through the National Bank Play Your Court Program in partnership with Vancouver Park Board.
Vancouverite Rebecca Marino has been one of Canada’s most inspiring athletes for over a decade, known for her powerful game and resilience on and off the court. In July of 2011, Marino achieved a career-high WTA singles ranking of World No. 38, proudly representing Canada on the international stage. Marino’s on court accomplishments are only underscored by her brave decision to take a break from tennis in 2013 to prioritize her mental health and pursue studies at UBC.
Marino returned to the game in 2018 and was a member of the Canadian team that won the country’s first-ever Billie Jean King Cup title in 2023. She also claimed the 2024 Dow Tennis Classic title (WTA 125) in Midland, USA in 2024. Marino is also a member of the Game. Set. Equity. program's Circle of Ambassadors, providing mentorship to community champions and amplifying Tennis Canada's work to advance gender equity at all levels of the tennis ecosystem.
"Vancouver is where my tennis story began and where I've always come back to. I grew up playing on public courts throughout BC and to continue the tradition of growing this game at the grassroots level is a great privilege. I couldn’t have made it this far without the immense community of coaches, volunteers, family and friends who gave their time to help me on public courts just like this," said Marino. "To see my name on tennis courts in my own city is something I never could have imagined as a kid. I am a proud Vancouverite and it means the world to me that this space will be open and accessible to everyone. My hope is that everyone who picks up a racquet at Robson Park feels that anything is possible, and I can't wait to see the community fill these courts for years to come."
The project consisted of a full reconstruction and resurfacing of three courts, refurbished posts, new nets and signage completed in partnership with Tennis Canada and the Vancouver Board of Parks and Rec. The National Bank Play Your Court Program contributed $100,000 of seed money to the project as part of its 2026 grant process. The other three funding recipients will be announced in the coming weeks with those projects scheduled for completion this year and 2027.
Tennis continues to grow across the country, with over one million new players hitting the courts in 2025. The National Bank Play Your Court Program aims to enable that growth by creating more accessible tennis facilities.
“The National Bank Play Your Court Program has been instrumental in building welcoming, positive and accessible facilities for all Canadians,” said Gavin Ziv, Chief Executive Officer, Tennis Canada. “This grand opening is a meaningful event for us as we honour Rebecca Marino. Rebecca is an incredible ambassador for the game of tennis, not only for the people of Vancouver but for all Canadians. Rebecca has become a symbol of determination and perseverance in Canadian sport, and we look forward to seeing how she will continue to inspire fans on and off the court.”
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“We’re thrilled to see the courts at Robson Park revitalized and creating more opportunities for the community to get on court. Having them named in honour of Vancouver’s own Rebecca Marino makes this even more special. Rebecca has been an incredible ambassador for tennis and an inspiration to players across British Columbia, and it’s fitting that her name will be connected to a place where future generations can discover and enjoy the sport,” said Henry Choi, Executive Director at Tennis BC.
The city of Vancouver exceeds over 750,000 residents, and this revitalization project will provide accessible tennis facilities to thousands of Canadians in the region, allowing them to enjoy the many physical and mental benefits of playing the sport.
Feature Photo: Tagwa Moyo
