July 31, 2026
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STORY OF THE WEEK |
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Liam Draxl Reaches Final ofthe ATP Challenger 75 in Winnipeg |
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Congratulations to Liam Draxl (Newmarket, above right) who finished as the runner-up at the ATP Challenger 75 in Winnipeg. Liam battled hard but fell to second-seeded Toby Samuel (above left) of Great Britain, 6-4, 6-2, in the final. Liam was given a main draw wild card at this year’s NBO in Montreal! For complete tournament results, click here. Congratulations Liam! |
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HEADLINE STORIES |
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Kayla Cross Finishes as WTTW100 Doubles Finalist in Evansville, Illinois |
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Congratulations to Kayla Cross (London, above left) and her partner, Anna Rogers (USA, above right), who finished as runners-up in the girls' doubles at the recent WTT W100 Women's Hospital Classic in Evansville, Illinois. The pair fell to top-seeded I-Hsuan Cho and Yi Tsen Cho of Chinese Taipei, 6-2, 6-3, in the final. Kayla was awarded a main draw wild card into both the singles and doubles (with Bianca Andreescu) for this year’s NBO in Toronto! For complete tournament results, click here. Congratulations Kayla! |
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Ariana Arseneault Finishes as WTTW35 Singles Finalist in Saskatoon |
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Congratulations to Ariana Arseneault (above, Richmond Hill) who finished as the runner-up in the WTT W35 Saskatoon challenger. Ariana fought hard in the finals match but fell short to fellow Canadian Teah Chavez from Saskatchewan, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. Ariana was granted a main draw singles wildcard at this year’s NBO in Toronto. For complete tournament results, click here. Congratulations Ariana! |
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Alvin Nicholas Tudorica Finishes asWTT M15 Singles Finalist in Huamantla |
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Congratulations to Alvin Nicholas Tudorica (Toronto, pictured above) who finished as the runner-up at the WTT M15 Soltepec Tennis Tour in Huamantla. Alvin battled hard in a close three-set finals match but lost to Matthew Thomson (USA), 7-6, 2-6, 6-4. For complete tournament results, click here. Congratulations Alvin! |
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Check Out the Latest Editionof ONTENNIS Magazine! |
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In this edition of ONTENNIS Magazine we take an in-depth look at the tennis scholarship scene with a story “The Courts or the Classroom” and our regular “By the Numbers” feature. There were almost 300 Canadians playing tennis for a US college or University team in the 2025/2026 season – more than ever! As well, we examine the state of indoor tennis, particularly domed structures in “There’s No Place Like Dome”. We have a historical perspective of the “cradle of Canadian tennis” – the Toronto Lawn Tennis Club, which is celebrating its 150th Anniversary this year. There are other Anniversary stories as well… Bowmanville TC, Scarborough Bluffs TC and Cambridge TC. Looking ahead for a winter tennis vacation? Check out our story “Tennis Anyone? Let’s Go to Club Med!” Lot’s of other great stories as well! Look for a printed copy of ONTENNIS at your club, pick it up at the OTA booth at the NBO or see the “flipbook Version online here! Enjoy! |
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Get Your NBO Tickets andSave Using Your Club’s Promo Code! |
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Save up to 50% on selected NBO Toronto tickets! Tennis Canada unveiled the player entry list for the 2026 National Bank Open presented by Rogers (NBO) in Toronto on Wednesday, with less than a month remaining until the tournament begins. The list features 72 of the WTA Tour’s Top 75 players, including world number one Aryna Sabalenka Coco Gauff, two-time NBO Singles Champion Jessica Pegula, Mira Andreeva and Canada’s own Leylah Annie Fernandez. Canadian and 2019 NBO and US Open singles champion Bianca Andreescu was also awarded a main-draw wild card, as was seven-time Grand Slam champion and 2014 NBO runner-up Venus Williams. The 2026 OTA NBO Promo Code Contest entered Period 10 this week. Less than one week left until the tournament begins! Clubs are competing to see who the top seller is and claim weekly prizes of NBO tickets. As well… individual ticket purchasers will be entered into a draw each week for the chance to win an OTA swag bag. This is the last week of the weekly individual ticket buyers’ contest! Check with your member-club executive to find out your club’s promo code and unique Ticketmaster website landing page. Period 10 OTA NBO Promo Code Contest Results
Use your promo code on the NBO Ticketmaster website; call 416-665-9777 or 1-877-283-6647. For ticket info, email tickets@tenniscanada.com Not affiliated with an OTA Member Club but want to save on NBO Toronto tickets? No problem! Use promo code TO26OTA. |
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Last Available SummerCoaching Course. Register Now!! |
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As we continue into the outdoor season, we’re excited to share two upcoming Coaching Certification opportunities taking place in Ontario. These courses are a great way to begin or continue your professional development, connect with fellow coaches, and advance your coaching pathway. It's not too late to register for the next installment of spring instructor level 1 course. For more information, please see below. Upcoming Certification Courses Premier Instructor August Course #1 Instructor Course Requirements: Please review the following requirements carefully before registering for an Instructor course:
Benefits of TPA/OTA Instructor Certification:
We encourage coaches to register early, as space is limited and demand is expected to be high. If you have questions regarding eligibility, prerequisites, or course details, please don’t hesitate to contact Andrew Chappell, achappell@tennisontario.com. |
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Check Out “Court Side with Marley”on OTA Social Media! |
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The OTA’s summer marketing intern Marley launched a new social media miniseries on the OTA’s Facebook and Instagram platforms this summer. In this week’s segment, Marley takes a “Player POV” walk from the NBO Players’ Lounge right onto Centre Court, just like the best players in the world do on their way to their match! See what it’s like through their eyes. Follow Marley as the start of the NBO nears and the excitement builds! Join her journey, as she promotes all that the OTA does to continue to grow the sport in Ontario. Marley has exposed you to everything tennis in Ontario, including behind-the-scenes tours, OTA tournament and community outreach coverage, up-and-coming Ontario junior and pro players, contests, special events, and as mentioned, peeks into the preparation and running of the National Bank Open in Toronto. The countdown is on! Follow Court Side with Marley on Facebook and Instagram and get all the scoops! |
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Rising Star Fair Play AwardRecipient June 2026 – Austin Li! |
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The recipient of the June 2026 OTA Fair Play Award is Austin Li! Austin is from Toronto and plays in the U9 Rising Stars Circuit, where he is currently ranked second. His home club is The Granite Club. Congratulations Austin!! The Fair Play Award is an OTA program that rewards one U9/U10 Circuit competitor per month for their exemplary conduct during tournaments. Nominees are selected based on the following criteria:
Each month, a recipient will be awarded a Fair Play Certificate and a Cineplex gift card. Only one individual is selected from the circuit in Ontario each month. (Includes GTA & Ottawa; U9 & U10; Boys & Girls). |
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Win a VIP experience atthe 2027 National Bank Open |
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Community Day is here, and the prize is your best shot at the NBO yet. Win a 2027 National Bank Open VIP Package in Toronto for two: quarterfinal action from the premium H.P. Milavsky Chair's Lounge. This isn't just a ticket. It's the full VIP treatment. The best seat in the house. Tickets are $25 for 20. Enter by Wednesday, August 5 at 8pm to be eligible to win the VIP Package. The Grand Prize draw on August 13 is just around the corner — six international trips, six winners. Enter today and keep your streak going. Every dollar raised goes directly to Tennis Canada's community programs, putting racquets in kids' hands and funding the grassroots initiatives that grow the game from the ground up. |
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UNMATCHED: Gender Equity in SportsConference, Aug. 11 at Sobeys Stadium |
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Limited UNMATCHED 2026 Lounge tickets still Available! Get them before they are sold out! Canada is halfway to its 2035 gender equity commitment. Progress is visible. The question is whether we're moving fast enough. The next phase will not be defined by awareness. It will be defined by what gets built next and who builds it. The fifth edition of the UNMATCHED: Gender Equity in Sports Conference presented by National Bank on August 11 at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto will bring leaders across sport, business, government and community for an interactive experience focused on where progress stands and what it will take to move forward. CBC Sports Broadcaster Anastasia Bucsis will host the conference. The former long-track speed skater represented the Maple Leaf at two Olympic Games (Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014) and is a leading advocate for gender equity in sport in Canada. Two-time Olympian Cynthia Appiah will also be this year's conference rover to help engage the audience with our panels. She is a powerhouse in Canadian bobsledding, known for her strength, determination, and trailblazing spirit. UNMATCHED 2026 will be a participant-driven experience designed to spark connection, inspire collaboration and accelerate action toward a more equitable future in sport. Presentations include: 1. What’s Changed and What Hasn’t Canada is halfway to its 2035 commitment to gender equity in sport. So where do we actually stand? This opening conversation examines what’s changed since that commitment was made: policy, visibility, leadership, investment and where the progress has stalled. Because the next phase of equity in sport isn't about new promises. It's about delivering on the commitments already made. Objective: Create a clear, collective understanding of progress and gaps in the implementation of equity in sport in Canada, and surface the key levers that must evolve to accelerate impact toward 2035. 2. What We’re Not Seeing Across every stage of her career, a female athlete's relationship to her body changes in ways that sport systems aren’t designed to support. From training loads and injury patterns to hormonal variations and the postpartum return to sport, the gaps are specific, documented and largely unaddressed. This panel doesn't just name the problem: it brings together the science, lived experiences and inconvenient questions the sport system still isn't asking loudly enough. Objective: Examine how current sport science and training environments are evolving to better support female athletes, and identify what opportunities remain to strengthen performance, health and longevity. 3. What's Working Three perspectives, three examples of change already underway. Allyship and investment: What happens when leaders with influence and resources choose to put both behind women's sport? Designing for women: what changes when athletic spaces are designed around women athletes from the very first sketch? The athlete voice as a force for change: How are athletes using their platforms, communities, and social media presence to build momentum and shift culture from the outside in? This is the session where the room stops asking, "What should we do?" and starts asking, "How do we scale what’s already working?" Objective: Showcase practical models driving progress in sport equity, and help participants understand what makes them effective, sustainable and transferable. Move participants from awareness to possibility. 4. Leadership Conversation Equal prize money 2027: The journey, the milestone and what comes next A landmark conversation on one of the most significant milestones in Tennis Canada's history. How did we get here? What did it take? And what does equal prize money mean for the future of sport equity? 5. Closing Piece Confidence isn't something you discover.. It's something you build. Coach Carey brings UNMATCHED 2026 to a close by making sure no one leaves the room without taking the first step. To get your tickets to UNMATCHED 2026, click here. |
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Check Out the OTA Booth at the NBO! |
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Coming to the NBO in Toronto this year? If you are, be sure to visit the OTA booth on the tournament grounds. Learn about all things tennis in Ontario and get a free emoji sticker for the kids. Get a free virtual picture with some of the top players in this year’s tournament! Sign up for our newsletter, SPIN Weekly. We’re located near thew Merchant of Tennis store. See you there! |
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Women’s Day at NBO –Tuesday, August 4, Day Session!! |
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A few tickets still available! Join your friends for a fun-filled day at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers. The Women's Day presented by Cleveland Clinic Canada event includes a reception in the VIP Lounge driven by Mercedes-Benz, featuring a continental breakfast, curated experiences, a complimentary gift bag, and inspiring programming focused on women’s health and wellness at every stage of life*. Then, enjoy world-class tennis from your reserved lower bowl seats on Centre Court, where top WTA stars compete. Lower bowl tickets starting at $75 (includes taxes and processing fees). To secure your tickets, use promo code: TO26WOMENSDAY. Click here to purchase online, or call 1-877-283-6647 ext. 1, or email tickets@tenniscanada.com. You can also visit www.nationalbankopen.com for more information. Women's Day tickets receive early gate access for the breakfast. *Programming is subject to change. |
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Merchant of Tennis NBO Giveaway #3! |
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The NBO is almost here and Merchant of Tennis is giving you one more chance to catch the action! Don’t miss out on your chance to win Premium tickets for the night session on Sunday August 9th! Enter by signing up to Merchant of Tennis’ newsletter here:
Or on social media: Merchant of Tennis’ Oakville store is now open with limited hours and services as they continue restoring their full in-store product selection over the coming weeks. Check their website for store hours: www.merchantoftennis.com/oakville Keep track of upcoming deals and events: www.merchantoftennis.com/pages/newsletter Shop Gift Cards: www.merchantoftennis.com/collections/gift-cards MerchantOfTennis.com is open 24/7 with shipping and store pickup services available. Store hours and updated information: www.merchantoftennis.com/pages/contact-us |
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Meet Craig Mercer, BurlingtonHall's New Tennis Director |
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Burlington Hall Sporting Club is excited to welcome Craig Mercer as its new Tennis Director, starting August 4, 2026. Craig brings over 25 years of experience in tennis leadership, coaching, programming, leagues, tournaments, and member events. He has coached players at every level, from beginners to competitive juniors, developing players who have gone on to become NCAA Division I athletes, competing at national championships, ITF events, and professional tournaments. At Vancouver’s prestigious Arbutus Club, Craig served as Director of Tennis before being promoted to Director of Athletics and Recreation, where he oversaw 20 departments, more than 800 programs and camps, 70 annual events, and a team of 200 staff, serving a 10,000-member facility. Craig holds a Master of Sports Management degree from Bond University in Australia, along with advanced Tennis Canada certifications, achieving Coach 3 and Club Professional 3 designations. He is a Tennis Canada Coach Developer and was recognized with the 2021 Course Facilitator Excellence Award. In addition to his leadership experience, Craig has an accomplished playing background. As a junior, he was ranked #3 in Canada, #1 in Quebec, and #1 in Atlantic Canada. He went on to reach a career-high ranking of #19 in Canadian Men’s Open tennis and was the top singles and doubles player for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. At Burlington Hall, Craig will lead its junior academy, adult programming, leagues, tournaments, social events, and overall tennis development. His experience building active tennis communities and delivering high-quality member programming makes him an outstanding addition to the Club. About Burlington Hall Sporting Club Burlington Hall Sporting Club (formerly Cedar Springs Health, Racquet and Sportsclub), located at 960 Cumberland Ave in Burlington, is entering an exciting new chapter, undergoing a complete transformation under new ownership, with a bold vision to become one of Canada's premier sports clubs and junior tennis academies. The club has already begun significant renovations, including newly resurfaced tennis courts, upgraded swimming pools, soon-to-be installed padel courts and the creation of a dedicated high-performance fitness space, designed specifically for competitive tennis athletes. With 10 tennis courts (9 indoor, 1 outdoor) and plans for additional outdoor courts, the club also features fitness, aquatics, squash, pickleball, racquetball, basketball, physiotherapy and more, Burlington Hall Sporting Club will offer something for everyone. |
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Play Your Court Event atMalvern Park in Toronto August 17 |
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Members of the Malvern-Area tennis community are invited to come out to the event to celebrate the opening of the new Malvern Park tennis courts. Come join the fun next week when the National Bank Play Your Court Program celebrates the grand opening of newly refurbished tennis courts at Malvern Park in Toronto. The city councillor for Ward 25 Scarborough Rouge Park will be in attendance, as well as representatives from National Bank and Tennis Canada. The court opening will be followed by on-court activities for City summer campers. The OTA will also be on-site with the National Bank Roadshow. Come check out the new courts, meet neighbours, and help celebrate this game-changing upgrade to the community! Event details: When: Monday, August 17 from 10:45 a.m. to 12:00 noon. For more information on the National Bank Play Your Court Program, click here. |
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“Have a Go” Wheelchair Tennis,Sobeys Stadium August 10 |
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Sign up for this free event by August 8! Calling all tennis fans - join us for a Have a Go at Wheelchair Tennis on Monday, August 10th, 2026, from 3:30pm – 4:30pm at Sobeys Stadium (1 Shoreham Drive, North York). This Have a Go is being held on the grounds of the National Bank Open, one of the top tennis tournaments in the world. Participants will be able to stay post event and watch our provincial team athletes take the court and complete a skills session. This event is free, no experience is required, all equipment will be provided, and recommended age is 8+. While we will prioritize individuals with a physical disability participating in the session, friends and family members are more than welcome to join if equipment permits. Details on the Have a Go are listed below – note registration is required for this event by August 8th. If you are interested in attending or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Lisa Myers at wheelchairdev@tenniscanada.com. Wheelchair Tennis Have a Go Session |
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Wheelchair Tennis InstructorWorkshop - Sobeys Stadium Oct. 16 |
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The Wheelchair Tennis Instructor Workshop is a Tennis Canada initiative designed to provide interested people (currently certified instructors and coaches, school teachers, recreational Therapists, etc.) with the knowledge to teach wheelchair tennis to introductory players. Participants will learn how to adapt their coaching to systematically develop beginning wheelchair players. They will help players learn the fundamentals of rallying, starting a point with serve & return, playing the game and most importantly, chair mobility. The course, conducted in partnership with ON Para and the OTA, will be taught by Tennis Canada National Coach for Wheelchair Tennis and 3-time Paralympic Medalist Kai Schrameyer. ARE YOU…
LEARN ABOUT…
LEARN TO TEACH…
RECEIVE…
WHO: The course is open to everyone however, only Instructors or coaches already certified by Tennis Canada are eligible to receive the official certificate upon completion of the course. (100% attendance required). TIME: One day course (7 hours) COST: $ 79 for TPA Members - $ 119 for Non TPA members. NOTE: This course counts for a FULL-DAY of professional development with the Tennis Professional Association (TPA) Workshop date and Time: Friday, October 16, Noon – 7:00pm For further Information on the workshop please contact Kai Schrameyer at Kschrameyer@tenniscanada.com. |
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Not a member of an OTA Club?You Can Still Save on NBO Tickets! |
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Attention Public Tennis Players! If you’re not a member of an OTA club, you can still save up to 50% on National Bank Open presented by Rogers tickets, starting August 1st at Sobeys stadium in Toronto. Tennis Canada unveiled the player entry list for the 2026 National Bank Open presented by Rogers (NBO) in Toronto on Wednesday, with less than a month remaining until the tournament begins. The list features 72 of the WTA Tour’s Top 75 players, including world number one Aryna Sabalenka Coco Gauff, two-time NBO Singles Champion Jessica Pegula, Mira Andreeva and Canada’s own Leylah Annie Fernandez. Canadian and 2019 NBO and US Open singles champion Bianca Andreescu was also awarded a main-draw wild card, as was seven-time Grand Slam champion and 2014 NBO singles finalist Venus Williams. Scan the QR code in the image above or visit the Ticketmaster OTA promo code landing page here and save! Or, call 416-665-9777 or 1-877-283-6647, use the OTA promo code TO26OTA and save. For ticket info, email tickets@tenniscanada.com. See you at the tournament! |
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Yonex Provincial Masters SinglesChampionships at Boulevard August 10-16 |
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Sign up now for the 2026 Yonex Provincial Masters Singles Championships in Memory of Tony Collings. The tournament is scheduled at the Boulevard Club in Toronto from August 10th to 16th. Age categories range from O30 to O80. The doubles categories will be played later in the year. For tournament information and to sign up, click here. |
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2026 OTA Tournament of Champions! |
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The OTA is introducing a fun tournament for our member clubs this fall: The 2026 Tournament of Champions team competition. Now your club has a chance to gain bragging rights as the best of the best in Ontario! When: Fall 2026 Club Eligibility: Your club must be a 2026 member of the OTA and use the either the free Tournament Planner software or free WTN Box Ladder software platform to run your club’s event. Timeline: Club events must be completed by September 30th. Is your club ready to win?! Clubs can get involved and qualify to enter a team by:
Click here for more details on the WTN Match Play software All club software is complimentary when running your club events. Benefits include:
Streamlined registration for box ladders and club tournaments through OTA software platforms. Make sure your club executives sign up to participate ASAP! |
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OTA Club and Regional News |
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ACE International Team Program@Smart VMC - September 2026 |
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ACE is launching a specialized "International Team" program for the 2026–2027 Academy year at our ACE SmartVMC location in Vaughan. Led by Doug Burke and Pierre Lamarche, it’s a highly selective, intensive training track tailored specifically for online-or home-schooled athletes looking to compete internationally. To keep the training quality incredibly high, we are limiting the group to just 8 elite players (ages 13 - 17).
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We Want Your Club and Regional News! |
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Tournaments - Community -Outreach -Courses |
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OTA Marketplace |
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Airport Tennis Opens in October! |
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Airport Tennis, a brand-new public tennis club in Toronto's west end, will be opening in October. Located just south of Pearson Airport, two minutes from Renforth Drive and Hwy 401, the club will have nine new hard courts in a seasonal bubble. The club will have a full compliment of programming for all levels of players, expertly organized by The Supreme Court team:
Membership is now open, with 14-day advance booking and permanent court time available. We are building a club with a great community and social atmosphere! You should be part of it! |
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Join Premier Racquet Clubs Markham This Fall & Winter! |
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Your Home for Tennis. Your Community for Life. Looking for a place to play, improve, and connect this season? Premier Racquet Clubs Markham is where players of every age and ability come together to enjoy outstanding tennis in a welcoming, community-focused environment. Membership Has Its Benefits! Become a PRC Markham member and enjoy:
Whether you're a beginner picking up a racquet for the first time or an experienced competitor looking to elevate your game, PRC Markham has a program designed for you. Programs for Every Age & Level Junior Programs
Adult Programs
Our experienced coaching team provides structured instruction that helps every player improve while enjoying the game in a positive and supportive atmosphere. Why Choose PRC Markham?
Clear player development pathway from beginner to competitive tennis Whether you're looking to improve your game, meet new playing partners, or simply stay active throughout the indoor season, Premier Racquet Clubs Markham is the place to be. 73 Wootten Way North, Markham, ON L3P 2Y5 Become a member today and discover why hundreds of players call PRC Markham their tennis home! |
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Silent Partner Sunshine Special Continues! |
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Up to 25% off All Silent Partner Machines! With over two decades of excellence, Silent Partner has been the go-to choice for tennis enthusiasts and professionals seeking the ultimate training partner. Known for its impressive ball speed, Silent Partner offers the perfect opportunity to refine your skills and up your game. Proudly Canadian! Visit www.sptennis.ca to learn more and place your order starting March 1st! |
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A Marketplace for Everything Tennis |
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