The 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal has been a rollercoaster for Naomi Osaka, both on and off the court, as she and other WTA stars, including members of Elena Rybakina’s team, endured a second disruptive hotel fire alarm incident in a single week. The chaotic episodes, which forced players to evacuate their accommodations in the early hours, have added an unexpected layer of drama to the WTA 1000 tournament, testing the resilience of competitors like Osaka, Taylor Townsend, and Belinda Bencic as they navigate the high-stakes hard-court season.
The first incident struck the night before Osaka’s opening-round match against Canadian wildcard Ariana Arseneault. At midnight, the four-time Grand Slam champion was jolted awake by blaring fire alarms, prompting a frantic evacuation. Grabbing only her passport, Osaka descended 12 flights of stairs, later sharing the surreal experience on social media: “POV: it’s the night before your match and the fire alarm tells you to evacuate so you grab your passport and go down 12 flights of stairs lol.” Despite the sleepless ordeal, Osaka powered through, defeating Arseneault 6-4, 6-2 in a commanding performance. Reflecting on her return to Montreal for the first time since her teenage years, she said, “I haven’t been here since I was a teenager,” expressing relief at overcoming the disruption to secure the win.
Just days later, a second fire alarm rocked the players’ hotel at 4:35 a.m., as confirmed by Bencic’s Instagram story, which read, “2nd Fire Alarm in a week.” The repeated disturbances affected multiple players, including Rybakina’s team, who were also staying at the Montreal accommodation. The Kazakh star, fresh off a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Canada’s Victoria Mboko in the round of 16, faced additional strain on her preparation for her quarterfinal clash. Townsend, another player caught in the chaos, joined Osaka and Bencic in finding humor amidst the frustration, with the trio sharing lighthearted posts online. “Finally stopped, fingers crossed 🙌🏽,” Osaka wrote, capturing her hope that the alarms would cease.
These incidents have cast a spotlight on the off-court challenges athletes face during high-pressure tournaments. For Osaka, who has been open about her mental health struggles, the disruptions posed a unique test. Yet, her resilience shone through as she delivered a standout performance against former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko, winning 6-2, 6-4 to reach the fourth round. The victory, her third straight in Montreal, marked a significant step in her 2025 comeback, bolstered by her new coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski, formerly of Iga Świątek’s team. Osaka’s ability to stay focused was evident as she outplayed Ostapenko, winning 71% of her first-serve points and capitalizing on her opponent’s 37 unforced errors.
Rybakina, meanwhile, has also faced challenges beyond the court. Her team’s involvement in the fire alarm incidents compounded the physical and mental demands of her Montreal campaign, where she continues to showcase her powerful game. The 2022 Wimbledon champion’s victory over Mboko, despite the Canadian’s nine double faults, highlighted her ability to seize opportunities under pressure. However, the late-night evacuations could impact her recovery as she prepares for a grueling quarterfinal against Marta Kostyuk.
The repeated fire alarms, though disruptive, have fostered a sense of camaraderie among the affected players. Osaka, Townsend, and Bencic’s social media posts reflect a shared determination to push through adversity with humor and grace. As the National Bank Open progresses through August 7, the focus remains on the court, where Osaka and Rybakina aim to build momentum toward the US Open. For Osaka, the tournament represents a chance to reclaim her hard-court dominance, while Rybakina seeks to add to her impressive 2025 resume. Despite the sleepless nights, these tennis stars are proving that their resolve is as strong as their forehands, turning chaos into a footnote in their pursuit of glory.
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