As part of its Mental Timeout project, Tennis Canada announced the launch of wellness innovations including a player relaxation zone, guided meditation and 1:1 yoga sessions
Players at the 2022 National Bank Open presented by Rogers will benefit from a variety of mindfulness initiatives that have been curated to minimize the stress of competition, Tennis Canada announced today. Tennis Therapy offers a player-focused set of wellness offerings that will be rolled out during the ATP Masters 1000 in Montreal (August 5 to 14) and in Toronto during the WTA 1000 event (August 6 to 14). As part of its previously launched Mental Timeout project, Tennis Canada has made a commitment to focusing on the wellbeing of tennis players and to ensuring a safe environment for the future of the sport.
Tennis Therapy–Tennis helping tennis
The Tennis Therapy services will include a number of creative additions to enable players at the National Bank Open to focus on mental health as an essential part of their performance. A brand new player relaxation zone, a curated musical “Timeout Playlist” and 1:1 access to mental health experts will all be made available to the world’s best players.
“Player mental health has never been more in the spotlight and we wanted to acknowledge its importance by becoming one of the first international tournaments to offer a player relaxation zone with access to leading experts in a number of wellness fields,” said Karl Hale, Tournament Director in Toronto.
“At the National Bank Open we always strive to go above and beyond in making our players feel welcome and this year we are proud to have put player wellness at the centre of our efforts,” said Eugène Lapierre, Tournament Director in Montreal.
Player relaxation zone–1:1 access to meditation and yoga experts
Players will have the opportunity to book private consultations with experts from across Canada focusing on the fields of mindfulness meditation and yoga in an area of the player lounge that will be turned into a “quiet zone”. Diffusors, weighted blankets, massage guns, eye-masks and noise-cancelling headphones will all be made available.
The Motorola Time Out
In Toronto, Motorola is the sponsor of an essential oils bar and music station. WTA players will have the opportunity to choose from one of three essential oil scents; eucalyptus, orange and lavender. As they chill with the aromatherapy, they can borrow Motorola headphones and listen to their favourite music.
The Mental Timeout Playlist by Tennis Canada
With music known for its many benefits, The Mental Timeout Playlist by Tennis Canada has been built to provide tennis players and fans with an escape from stress, on and off the court. This playlist was curated by notable Canadian public figures and personalities, who shared a song that they listen to during difficult periods. Audiences can stream the Mental Timeout Playlist by Tennis Canada on Spotify.
You can listen to the playlist below.
Mindful Mail
Fans will have the chance to write “Positivity Postcards” to their favourite players, which will be collected by the tournament staff and distributed directly to the players during the tournament. A Mindful Mailbox will be situated on both sites and fans of all ages can pick up a postcard to write an uplifting message to their idols.
Yoga sessions during Family Weekend
The fans on site at National Bank Open will also benefit from the Tennis Therapy program. 407 ETR Family Weekend and IGA Family weekend in Toronto and Montreal on August 6-7, will feature yoga sessions with the participation of WTA and ATP players.
Bianca Andreescu, ambassador for the Mental Timeout project added: “I am so excited to see this project come to life on site at the National Bank Open and I really hope all the players enjoy the additions that Tennis Canada has made to benefit our mental health.”
