The 2026 Canadian Open tennis tournament begins in Montreal this week, featuring a strong field of players using the event as a final preparation before the US Open. The tournament occupies a unique position in the tennis calendar — it is both a prestigious Masters 1000 event and a practical stepping stone to the year's final Grand Slam. [1]

Montreal's tournament attracts top players because of its timing and surface. Hard courts mirror the US Open's playing conditions, and the two-week gap between events allows players to acclimate to North American conditions. [1]

The Canadian Open also serves as a cultural event. Montreal's bilingual atmosphere and tennis-passionate fanbase create an atmosphere that players consistently rank among the tour's best. The tournament's intimacy contrasts with the overwhelming scale of the US Open. [2]

For seeded players, the Canadian Open represents a calculation: how much to invest in preparation versus preservation. The tournament's prestige demands effort, but the US Open's importance counsels caution. [2]

The Canadian Open is tennis at its most functional — a tournament that serves both competitive and commercial purposes with equal effectiveness.

-- AMARA OKONKWO, Montreal