Canada’s Carol Zhao receives main-draw wild card for final National Bank Open

TORONTO — Canada’s Carol Zhao has received a main-draw wild card for what will be the final National Bank Open of her career.

The 31-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., confirmed earlier this year that the 2026 season would be her last on the WTA Tour after turning professional in 2016.

Tennis Canada announced Sunday that Zhao and fellow Richmond Hill native Ariana Arseneault had been awarded the final two women’s singles wild cards for the tournament, which begins next Saturday at Sobeys Stadium.

They join seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams and Canadians Bianca Andreescu, Kayla Cross, Katherine Sebov, Cadence Brace and Rebecca Marino as main-draw wild-card recipients.

“We are delighted to award main-draw wild cards to Ariana and Carol,” said Noelle van Lottum, Head of Women’s Tennis at Tennis Canada, in a statement. “Ariana’s game continues to trend in the right direction, and she is doing all the right things to position herself to compete at the highest of levels.

“Carol has been a respected figure in Canadian tennis for many years, and we’re thrilled to give her the opportunity to compete at her home tournament for one final time.”

Tennis Canada also awarded doubles wild cards to the teams of Andreescu and Cross, and sisters Leylah and Bianca Fernandez of Laval, Que.

Canadian phenom Victoria Mboko, who captured last year’s National Bank Open title in Montreal, will miss this year’s tournament because of a knee injury.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2026.

The Canadian Press