The 2025 National Bank Open, a cornerstone of the North American hard-court swing, is set to electrify tennis fans from July 27 to August 7, with the women’s WTA 1000 event in Montreal and the men’s ATP Masters 1000 in Toronto. This year’s tournament, expanded to a 12-day, 96-player draw, promises intense competition and a significantly boosted prize pool, making it one of the most lucrative stops on the road to the US Open. Stars like Coco Gauff, the top-seeded woman and recent French Open champion, and Ben Shelton, a rising American force seeded fourth in the men’s draw, are among the headliners vying for glory—and substantial paychecks. With the total prize money soaring to $9,193,540, the stakes are higher than ever, and the financial rewards reflect the event’s growing prestige.
For Coco Gauff, the world No. 2, the Canadian Open is a chance to claim her first title in Montreal and add to her $5.5 million in 2025 prize money, which includes $2.9 million from her Roland Garros triumph. As the top seed, she’s already advanced to the third round after a hard-fought 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 win over Veronika Kudermetova, despite battling 15 double faults. “I felt like I was practicing well, but I don’t think I transferred it today,” Gauff admitted, reflecting on her serving struggles. A victory in Montreal would earn her $752,275 and 1,000 WTA ranking points, a 43.7% increase from the $523,485 awarded to 2024 champion Jessica Pegula. Even a runner-up finish would net Gauff $391,600, while reaching the semi-finals guarantees $206,100. Her journey, which includes a potential round of 16 clash with Elena Rybakina, is fueled by her hunger to surpass her previous best Canadian Open result—a 2023 quarter-final.
Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old American known for his booming serve and vibrant energy, is a hometown favorite in Toronto. Seeded fourth, he received a first-round bye and faces a challenging draw with potential matchups against former champions like Daniil Medvedev or defending champion Alexei Popyrin. The men’s champion will pocket $1,124,380, a 7.14% jump from last year, alongside 1,000 ATP ranking points. Shelton, who reached the 2023 US Open semi-finals, is chasing his first Masters 1000 title and a significant boost to his $3.2 million career earnings. A semi-final run would earn him $305,140, while a third-round exit—where he faces a qualifier or unseeded player—secures $53,250. “The crowd in Toronto is electric, and I’m pumped to play here,” Shelton said after his 2024 Washington semi-final, signaling his readiness for the big stage.
Other stars are also in the hunt for substantial rewards. Jessica Pegula, the No. 3 seed and two-time defending women’s champion, aims for a historic three-peat, a feat not accomplished since Martina Hingis in 2000. Her 7-5, 6-4 second-round win over Maria Sakkari showcased her steady baseline game, and a third title would add $752,275 to her $2.8 million 2025 earnings. Iga Swiatek, seeded second, rolled past Guo Hanyu 6-3, 6-1 and eyes her first Canadian Open crown, with the same $752,275 top prize on the line. On the men’s side, top seed Alexander Zverev, a 2017 champion, leads a field that includes Taylor Fritz and Lorenzo Musetti, each chasing the $1,124,380 winner’s check. Even first-round losers walk away with $27,165 (men) or $12,770 (women), reflecting a 2.98% and 10% increase, respectively, from last year.
The expanded format, part of Tennis Canada’s push toward gender equity, has boosted the women’s prize pool by nearly 60% compared to the men’s, with full parity planned by 2027. “We’re going to be celebrating, finally, the first event with equal prize money,” said Montreal tournament director Valérie Tétreault, looking ahead to future editions. For now, players like Emma Raducanu, who earned $33,000 for her third-round appearance, and local hero Félix Auger-Aliassime, a No. 21 seed in Toronto, add to the tournament’s star power. With a stacked field featuring 12 Grand Slam champions in Montreal alone, including Naomi Osaka and Elina Svitolina, the 2025 Canadian Open is a financial and competitive battleground where every match could redefine a player’s season—and bank account.
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