STORY OF THE WEEK

Cross and Brace Shine in Mexico!

Kayla Cross (20, London) and Cadence Brace (20, Toronto) both had great results at last week’s WTA 125 tournament in Tampico, Mexico. 

Brace (pictured below), the tournaments 5th seed in the singles draw, made it all the way to the final before losing to the 4th seed, Belgian Hanne Vandewinkel, 6-4, 6-3. The result propelled her to a career high of 182 on the WTA World Rankings. 

Read More

HEADLINE STORIES

Cross and Brace Shine in Mexico!

Kayla Cross (20, London) and Cadence Brace (20, Toronto) both had great results at last week’s WTA 125 tournament in Tampico, Mexico. 

Brace (pictured below), the tournaments 5th seed in the singles draw, made it all the way to the final before losing to the 4th seed, Belgian Hanne Vandewinkel, 6-4, 6-3. The result propelled her to a career high of 182 on the WTA World Rankings. 

Cross, (pictured above top left, with her British doubles partner Amelia Rajecki) won the doubles championship. Seeded 3rd, the pair lost only one set in the tournament, winning the final against the 4th-seeded Polish/Slovenian pair, Weronica Falkowska and Kristina Novak, 6-4, 6-3. The result moved Cross to 139 on the WTA World doubles rankings, one off of her career high! 

Both Cross and Brace are scheduled to compete in the upcoming Tevlin Challenger at Toronto’s Sobeys Stadium beginning October 26. 

Congratulations Cadence and Kayla! 

For complete tournament results, click here. 

Tevlin Challenger at

Sobeys Stadium Oct 26 – Nov 2

The ITF W75 Tevlin Challenger starts at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto this weekend. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the tournament. 

The Tevlin provides some of Canada’s best young players with an opportunity to test their skills against an international field of great tennis players, earn some valuable ranking points and prize money and enjoy the great hospitality of theis Tennis Canada event. 

The great news is that it is free for spectators to attend; so come out and cheer our great young Canadian stars, Ariana Arseneault, Kayla Cross Katherine Sebov, Cadence Brace (all from Ontario) and many others. Attention club and academy pros, why not bring some of your juniors out to enjoy the action and inspire them to one day be in the tournament themselves! 

Qualifying rounds begin Sunday; main draw singles and doubles action starts Monday, with the finals scheduled for October 31 (doubles) and November 1 (singles). 

For tournament Draws, Schedules and Results, click here. 

See you there! 

National Tennis Centre Class of 2025-2026

Tennis Canada recently announced the class of 2025-2026 for the National Tennis Centre presented by Rogers (NTC), featuring five returning players and four new recruits. The cohort includes athletes from Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. Since the NTC was established in 2007, the number of current and former students has now surpassed 70. The players will train at IGA Stadium in Montreal when they are not travelling. 

The three Ontario players are Andrea Taylor (Pickering 16, above fourth left), Callum MacKinnon (Toronto 15, above centre), and Nadia Lagaev (Toronto 17, above second right). 

Congratulations Andrea, Callum and Nadia! 

To view the complete Tennis Canada press release, click here. 

U of T Men's and Women's

Teams Win OUA Championships

The University of Toronto Men’s and Women’s were both victorious at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Tennis Championships last weekend at Mayfair Clubs – East in Markham. The tremendous weekend of tennis finished off on Thanksgiving Sunday. 

The main courses brought together the U of T Blues and the Queen's Gaels, who shocked everyone after entering the tournament as the No. 7 seed, in the women's final, while the U of T men's team took on the Ottawa Gee-Gees, who surprised some people in their own right after being the No. 5 seed in the quarters. 

Toronto, looking for its 41st women's gold medal – the most of any program – came out swinging – literally – against the Gaels. They won the doubles point by sweeping all three matches, 8-4, 8-0 and 8-2. They then took five of six singles fixtures to take the match 5-1 and win their third consecutive gold and fifth in the last six tournaments. 

The U of T Blues then completed their second banner sweep in the last three years over the Ottawa Gee-Gees in the men's final, but not without some intrigue. Ottawa drew first blood in the match by sweeping the doubles portion of play, winning the matches 8-5, 8-4 and 8-1, sending an early statement to the Blues. However, the perennial powerhouse Varsity Blues did not back down. They took four of six singles matches, powered by Lucas Mock, Ben Whitley, Alex Zhang and Luca Kirigin – all in straight sets, to take the match 4-3 and won their 33rd men's gold medal. 

While the finals were certainly worth the wait, the day began with the appitizers – the men's and women's bronze medal matches. The women's bronze medal bout saw the host York Lions take on the Western Mustangs. Western took two of the three doubles matches, with Chantal Stepanova and Sierra Ausman defeating Mia Soccio and Selene Woo 8-3, before Lillian Pappas and Mihika Saraswathi downed Katia Tverdovskaia and Nina Lazarevic 8-5 to give the Mustangs the doubles point. They then went on to win four of the six singles contests, which featured three three-set marathons, as Western took the match 5-2 to bring home the Bronze. 

As the women were wrapping up singles play, the men's bronze medal doubles got underway, with the men's Mustangs battling the Queen's Gaels. This match featured plenty of drama, with the Gaels sweeping doubles play, but with two of the matches going the distance before Queen's prevailed 8-7. That doubles point would loom large for as the two teams each took three singles matches, with the Gaels winning all three in three sets, victories by Dermott Duggan, Jason Nybo and Ben Hilderman to capture the bronze medal. 

Story and photos courtesy of the OUA 

Community Tennis Leagues

Raffle Winner – Julian Biasoni!

On behalf of the Community Tennis Leagues (CTL) team, we’re excited to announce the lucky winner of the Grand Raffle Prize for CTL Summer Session 3 players: Julian Biasoni! Julian is the lucky winner of a $100 Merchant of Tennis Gift Card! 

Julian competed it the CTL Markham/Richmond Hill region and had this to say about his experience: “I had a really enjoyable experience playing in the Community Tennis Leagues - even if my win-loss record suggests I might need a new coach… 

Every opponent I played was super friendly, and I even exchanged contact information with a few people to hit with again outside of league play. The matches were always fun and competitive, with skill levels that felt very evenly matched. It’s an excellent way to meet new people, get in some quality tennis, and play in a friendly but competitive environment. 

I’d highly recommend it to anyone who wants to play competitively but doesn’t have a big network of hitting partners yet.” 

The next CTL Session, Fall Session 2, runs from October 29 to November 29. Entry deadline is October 27. 

To learn more about the CTL, click here. 

To find a league and enter Fall Session 2, click here. 

See you on the courts! 

Play the Game YOU Love…Anywhere!

NEW!!! The Ontario Tennis Association and The Travel Agent Next Door Launch OTA Travel – A Custom Travel Program for Tennis Enthusiasts and Their Families 

The Ontario Tennis Association (OTA) is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with The Travel Agent Next Door (TTAND) to launch OTA Travel, a customized travel platform designed exclusively for OTA members and their families, member clubs, Certified tennis instructors and the broader Canadian tennis community. 

Accessible at www.OTAtravel.ca, this brand-new travel experience provides curated tennis vacations, vacations with tennis options, and all general travel offerings — including ocean and river cruises, all-inclusive resorts, European getaways, and guided tours — all powered by the travel expertise of The Travel Agent Next Door, Canada’s premier host agency with over 1,600 travel professionals and $500M in annual travel sales. 

What sets OTA Travel apart is its concierge-level service, offering members access to dedicated travel advisors who not only understand the Canadian travel business but also share a passion for tennis. These specialized agents provide tailored travel planning for individuals, families, and even entire clubs — with exclusive offers, incentives, and value-added perks available to OTA club and competitive players, member-clubs, Ontario tennis enthusiasts and their guests. The OTA travel team can help you with ALL your travel needs. 

"This partnership is about bringing more value to our members and players, while growing the sport we love,” said Richard Mainella, President & CEO of the OTA. “With OTA Travel, tennis enthusiasts can explore the world while supporting tennis development right here in Ontario." 

Special Launch Offer 

To celebrate the launch of OTA Travel, members who sign up at www.OTAtravel.ca will receive four (4) x $50 travel vouchers that can be used toward future bookings — making it even easier to start planning your next match or adventure. 

Travel With a Purpose 

Every booking made through OTA Travel does more than provide a world-class experience — it also helps fund grassroots tennis initiatives across the province. A portion of every transaction goes directly back to OTA programming, meaning every trip helps grow the game of tennis in Ontario. 

About the Ontario Tennis Association 

The Ontario Tennis Association is the governing body of tennis in Ontario and the largest provincial tennis association in Canada. OTA is committed to growing the game, supporting athletes at all levels, and creating enriching opportunities for its members both on and off the court. 

About The Travel Agent Next Door 

The Travel Agent Next Door is Canada’s leading host travel agency network, supporting over 1,600 travel professionals nationwide. Backed by more than $500 million in annual travel sales, TTAND delivers unparalleled buying power, exclusive offers, and personalized service through its extensive advisor network. 

Merchant of Tennis Warehouse Sale

 Don’t miss out on Merchant of Tennis’ In-Person Warehouse Sale on October 25th from 10am-5pm and October 26th from 11am-4pm! 

Visit their warehouse location during the sale at 95 Research Road, Units 2 & 3, Toronto for blowout prices on footwear, clothing, accessories, racquets and more. 

For directions to their warehouse: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gvMooH1wdHZgT8BL9

Merchant of Tennis is now offering limited services at their Oakville location through a pop up service station. Visit their website for their hours and details about services offered: 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 

Connect with Merchant of Tennis:
www.instagram.com/merchanttennis
www.facebook.com/MerchantTennis 

Yonex Provincial Doubles

Masters Championships, Nov 6th-9th

The Yonex Ontario Masters Doubles Championships are scheduled to take place at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto from November 6th to 9th. Last year, over 150 players took part in the Championships in men’s and women’s doubles competition. The age groups for this year’s event are O30, O40, O50, O60, O70. 

Players must be a registered competitor with the Ontario Tennis Association. The OTA has recently issued a new, lower cost ($20) Single Event Membership category for those wishing to play in only one OTA tournament per year. 

To learn more about the tournament and to sign up, click here. 

To register for a Single Event Membership, click here. 

Girls. Set. Match. Events

at Palgrave and Stephen Leacock

Palgrave Tennis Club (pictured above) and Steven Leacock Tennis Club were the latest sites for Girls.Set.Match. (GSM) events for girls and young women. 

Approximately 20 participants enjoyed a Tie-Breaker Challenge tournament and were treated to lunch, prizes and mentorship opportunities at the two clubs. 

Special Thanks to coach Andres Findlay from Palgrave and OTA GSM Coordinator Matea Roki for organizing at Palgrave, and Tyler Panhuyzen for organizing at Stephen Leacock, and helping the young participants enjoy the virtues of playing tennis and learning the importance of physical activity, personal confidence and mental well-being! 

OTA Club and Regional News

Councillor’s Cup at PRC–Markham

Councillor’s Cup Tournament Celebrates Community and Youth Tennis at PRC–Markham 

Premier Racquet Clubs Markham proudly hosted the Councillor’s Cup Tournament, a spirited celebration of youth tennis and community engagement. The event was highlighted by the special participation of Councillor Karen Rae, who expressed her strong support for the PRC–Markham Tennis Club and its growing role in fostering youth development through sport. 

Councillor Rae took part in the festivities by signing participation certificates, performing the ceremonial coin toss to open one of the matches, and presenting gift cards to players as a gesture of encouragement and appreciation. Her involvement underscored the importance of leadership, community spirit, and opportunities for young athletes to thrive. 

The tournament featured exciting Girls Under-10 (GU10) matches, showcasing the talent, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship of the club’s youngest players. Seeing a female leader championing youth and community sports added a meaningful and inspiring dimension to the day’s events. 

Premier Racquet Clubs Markham extends heartfelt thanks to Councillor Karen Rae for her continued support, and to all volunteers, families, and staff who made the 

tournament such a success. Special thanks go to Cheryl Rankin for her invaluable assistance with the certificates. 

“It was a wonderful day of tennis, teamwork, and community pride,” said the PRC–Markham team. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this celebration possible.” 

Councillor’s Cup Brings

Community Spirit to PRC-Brampton

Premier Racquet Clubs Brampton was proud to host the Councillor’s Cup Tournament, a celebration of youth tennis and community engagement that brought players, families, and local leaders together for a day of exciting matches and shared pride. 

The event was highlighted by the special attendance of Councillor Rowena Santos, who addressed the tournament finalists with words of encouragement and community pride before performing the ceremonial coin toss for the championship match. Her presence and message underscored the value of sport in building confidence, teamwork, and unity among Brampton’s youth. 

Councillor Santos’s participation added a memorable and inspiring touch to the finals, reflecting the City of Brampton’s continued commitment to supporting accessible recreation and grassroots sports development. 

Premier Racquet Clubs Brampton extends a sincere thanks to Councillor Rowena Santos for her time, encouragement, and leadership, as well as to all players, families, and volunteers who helped make the Councillor’s Cup a success. 

“It was an inspiring day of competition and community,” said the PRC–Brampton team. “We are grateful to Councillor Santos for joining us in celebrating the next generation of tennis players.” 

We Want Your Club and Regional News!

Is your club hosting a significant tournament or event, does it have an anniversary coming up, is there a volunteer or player who deserves recognition for their contributions? If so, we want to hear about it. Just send a photo and a short write up to us and we’ll feature it in SPIN in our OTA Club and Regional News section. To submit a story for consideration, just email pmalcomson@tennisontario.com. Tell us why you’re great! 

Tournaments - Community -

Outreach -Courses

Click the calendar above to see the live list of upcoming events

OTA Marketplace

Silent Partner Spooky Season Special Starts October 19!

The Silent Partner Spooky Season Special is on starting October 19, ending October 31! During this period, all Silent Partner machines will be available at a 10% discount; plus purchasers will receive a free case of tennis balls with purchase*! 

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! 

Don’t be scared - visit www.sptennis.ca for promo details and to purchase your new Silent Partner ball machine now! 

*The free case of balls promotion does not apply to the purchase of the SP Smart model. 

Tennispot Business Opportunity

Whether you manage a tennis club, a pro shop, a multi-sport or entertainment complex, a community centre, or just want one in your own home, the Tennispot tennis simulator by On Screen Sports allows you and your customers to experience cutting-edge tennis simulation like never before! With advanced tracking sensors Tennispot captures ball speed, spin, and player movements for realistic training and match play. 

Perfect for all skill levels, Tennispot lets players enjoy tennis anytime, anywhere! 

Start your own tennis simulator business or add it to your existing facility to attract more players and boost revenue - a great way to earn extra income if you’re a seasonal pro with clients who want to keep learning all year. 

To see how you can build your own tennis simulator business and to arrange for a product demo, click here. 

Get in the game today! 

About On Screen Sports
On Screen Sports is part of the Golfzon Newdin Group, the world's largest indoor entertainment company, with over 40,000 sports simulators installed in over 700 locations in 65+ countries. Golfzon North, located in Vaughan is the Canadian distributor of Golfzon golf simulators, Tennispot tennis simulators, Strikezon baseball simulators and Prosimu Auto Racing Simulators. 

A Marketplace for Everything Tennis

Whether you’re pro advertising your coaching services, a company wanting to reach the tennis enthusiast, a club looking for new members or you just want to sell some old wooden tennis racquets – you can reach over 15,000 tennis players in Ontario each week via our weekly newsletter SPIN, with an ad in the OTA Marketplace section. Listings and pictures are only $125 per week and all we need is a horizontal image like the one above (500 pixels deep X 800 pixels wide) and a couple of paragraphs. We’ll do the rest! Need creative help? We offer creative services at a reasonable cost. For more info, email pmalcomson@tennisontario.com. Include “OTA Marketplace" in the Subject line.