Shelton takes men’s Montreal NBO final as tennis tournament reports banner year

Ben Shelton of the United States took the men's title with a straight-sets victory over fellow American Brandon Nakashima for a second consecutive National Bank Open (NBO) title.

"Tennis-wise, this has been one of the best weeks of my life," Shelton told the crowd after his win on Thursday.

"I played some of the best tennis that I've ever played, and to be able to put that on display here in front of you has been an honour. So, thank you guys for bringing the energy all week."

Shelton rocketed through the 2026 tournament without dropping a set. The 23-year-old was untouchable on serve Thursday, at one clocking 230 kilometres per hour. He didn't surrender a break-point chance throughout a match that lasted one hour 27 minutes.

The tournament drew a record crowd to its Montreal site.

Despite rain and controversy surrounding Tennis Canada's plans for a new stadium at Jarry Park, more than 309,492 spectators visited over the 13 days of competition.

That marks a significant increase from last year’s record for the women’s tournament, which drew 287,000 spectators. That was the first year the NBO expanded from one week to 12-days of competition.

"I think the 2025 tournament helped build momentum, as did the success of our Canadian players, " said tournament director Valérie Tétreault.

“More and more people are taking an interest in tennis, and not just during our tournament."

With so many spectators on-site, Tennis Canada broke its revenue record for the tournament and exceeded its targets. However, the national federation is not disclosing these figures. The tournament's profits are reinvested in the development of tennis in Canada.

The group says that a new stadium with a retractable roof in Jerry Park is essential for the tournament's long-term viability.

The unveiling of preliminary plans from the feasibility study, reported by Radio-Canada during the tournament, has fueled much discussion. A protest against the $400 million expansion project took place on Sunday.

“We must work together to generate a project that brings benefits on many levels, and I continue to believe it's possible,” said Tétreault.

“This coexistence has existed since the early 1980s. This project is also an opportunity to invest in Jarry Park to create green spaces that can be enhanced.”

In the meantime, Tennis Canada is already planning the 2027 tournament. Women will, for the first time, receive equal prize money to their male counterparts for the same tournament.

In Toronto this weekend Poland's Iga Swiatek took the women's honours in Toronto after besting Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in straight sets.

It was Swiatek’s first tournament crown since her victory in Seoul last September. She's the only player to win a WTA 1000 title in each of the last six seasons.

Click here to read article