Q+A: Rising London tennis star Kayla Cross readies for National Bank Open
Cross secures wild card entry
London tennis player Kayla Cross has secured a wild-card spot in the main draw of the National Bank Open, set to take place in Toronto from August 1-13. This marks her second consecutive main-draw wild card entry into Canada’s largest tennis tournament. Cross, who holds a career-high ranking of 168, recently achieved a significant milestone by winning the women’s singles title at the Granby National Bank Open.
Cross reflected on her previous experience, noting that she felt more nervous last year. This time, she approached the opportunity with a more open mind, focusing on her game. She explained that she was aware a win in a specific match would secure her the wild card, but she managed to concentrate on playing, only learning of her success afterward. This approach helped her to focus on each match individually.
Her victory in Granby was described as the biggest singles title of her career to date. Winning on home soil was particularly meaningful for Cross, who noted the significant crowd support. She mentioned that her first professional final two years prior was also in Granby, making this win a reversal of fortunes. This title also contributes positively to her ranking and helps her gain entry into other tournaments, including the National Bank Open.
Playing on home soil
Cross highlighted the distinct experience of playing in Canada compared to international competitions. She noted the enthusiastic crowd support she received in Granby, despite it not being her hometown. She recalled instances where the crowd’s energy helped her recover from being significantly down in matches, cheering for every point she won.
The upcoming tournament in Toronto is anticipated to be a special experience, with friends and family expected to be present. While acknowledging a certain level of pressure that comes with playing in front of familiar faces, Cross believes that the knowledge of their support and desire for her success outweighs any apprehension. She emphasized that crowds in Canada or one’s home country are often more supportive, wanting their local player to succeed.
The opportunity to play in the National Bank Open was a long-held aspiration for Cross. She trained at both the Toronto and Montreal sites that host the tournament during her younger years, witnessing the event and dreaming of participation. She described it as a “very far-fetched dream” that she worked diligently to achieve, expressing pride in her efforts and the support from those around her.
Cross began playing competitive tennis at a young age, influenced by her father and two older brothers. She doesn’t recall a time when she wasn’t playing, starting around the age of four. Around 12, she began dedicating more effort, and by 15, tennis became her sole focus, with the goal of pursuing a professional career. Her training involved locations like the Hunt Club and Greenhills, eventually leading to regular training in Toronto, which required her family to rent a place there due to the extensive travel involved.
Motivation for Cross comes from the prospect of competing on major stages, such as the National Bank Open and the main draws of Grand Slams. She continuously strives for the next level, even after achieving significant milestones like playing in a Grand Slam qualifier. She also stresses the importance of celebrating smaller victories to maintain motivation and avoid feeling overwhelmed by the larger goals.
Canadian presence at the tournament
The National Bank Open will feature a strong Canadian contingent. Carol Zhao, also from Richmond Hill, Ont., will make her final home open appearance after receiving a main-draw singles wild card. Zhao, who turned professional in 2016, has represented Canada seven times at the Billie Jean King Cup and won doubles gold at the 2015 Pan American Games alongside Gabriela Dabrowski. She has confirmed that the 2026 season will be her last on the professional tour.
Ariana Arseneault, another Richmond Hill native, also received a main-draw singles wild card. Tennis Canada announced that these wild cards were awarded due to their contributions to Canadian tennis. Noelle van Lottum, Tennis Canada‘s head of women’s tennis, praised Zhao’s respected status and Arseneault’s improving game.
In the doubles competition, Leylah Annie Fernandez will reunite with her sister, Bianca Jolie Fernandez. Additionally, former U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu will partner with Kayla Cross. This pairing recently represented Canada together at the Billie Jean King Cup. The tournament director, Karl Hale, noted that having eight Canadians in the main draw reflects the growth of tennis in the country, and expressed excitement for the Fernandez sisters’ reunion and the pairing of Andreescu and Cross.
Other main-draw wild card recipients include Katherine Sebov, Cadence Brace, Rebecca Marino, and Venus Williams. Avery Alexander and Ana Grubor have received qualifying wild cards, with a third Canadian qualifier to be determined through a four-player playoff. The final qualifying wild card was part of a reciprocal agreement with another tournament.
Source: lfpress.com
