The 2026 Canadian Open was struggling even before it started, especially on the men's side. Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic chose not to participate. Things have only gotten worse from there. The 1000 event did make one key decision, though: Putting Alex Eala in a position to save this year's tournament.
Eala isn't just the rising star of tennis, but she brings a large number of fans to tournaments that other players don't. In her first two matches at the Canadian Open has made the final match of the day. This keeps people at the tournament if they arrive early, and keeps them there late.
This means more money being spent on concessions and merchandise, raising money for a tournament that overall might be hurt by top men's players not being in Canada. But that's where the catch comes in.
Alex Eala might be tasked with saving the 2026 Canadian Open
Unlike most other tournaments, the Canadian Open splits where the men and women play, and rotates them every year. The WTA side of the 1000 is being played in Toronto. The ATP side is taking place in Montreal. All those fans going to see Eala aren't helping the economy in Montreal, but at least Toronto is getting some added visitors.
The financial situation of the Canadian Open will be reviewed in a broader form, so Eala's impact will have repercussions for the entire event, but that doesn't help Montreal proper. Next year, sure, as long as Alexandra Eala is healthy enough to participate and still playing in top form. To be fair, she might be in even better form in 2027, as 2026 has been her breakout season.
Still, not even Eala can save everything. The men's side will continue to feature some interesting matches, but casual fans who are hoping to go see top-ranked players in Montreal are out of luck. Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic didn't even appear, but the matches have been brutal for most of the rest of the top 10.
Heading into the fourth round, which begins on Saturday, ATP No. 3 Alexander Zverev, No. 6 Daniil Medvedev, No. 7 Alex de Minaur, No. 8 Taylor Fritz, and No. 9 Flavio Cobolli have already been defeated. Home-nation favorite and No. 4 Felix Auger-Aliassime had to withdraw a day before his first match with an injury.
At least No. 10 and defending Canadian Open champion Ben Shelton is still playing. His path to his second Masters 1000 title has never been clearer.
The tournament has to be thankful that Alex Eala is still involved, though. She is bringing people to the courts in Toronto and eyeballs to those screens of those tennis fans watching the tournament. Should she lose, so might the tournament in terms of viewers.
Add us as a preferred source on Google