Kei Nishikori has entered the qualifying draw for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Montreal, tournament organizers confirmed ahead of the ATP Masters 1000 event beginning August 3, 2025. The former world No. 4 joins a contingent of Japanese players heading to Canada as the hard-court circuit ramps up its preparation for the US Open.
Montreal Qualifying Field Takes Shape
The hard-court tournament at Stade IGA in Montreal marks the sixth ATP Masters 1000 event of the season. Nishikori, working his way back through the rankings following various injury layoffs, accepted an entry into the qualifying rounds to secure crucial match play ahead of the North American summer major. Tour officials confirmed the qualifying matches will kick off the tournament schedule on the weekend preceding the main draw.
Japanese players feature prominently across the entry lists for the Montreal stop. Alongside Nishikori, other compatriots are scheduled to compete in the qualifying rounds or have earned direct acceptance depending on their rankings. The influx of Japanese contenders highlights the nation’s continued depth on the ATP Tour as players seek hard-court momentum.
US Open Preparation Shifts to Canada
The timing of the Montreal Masters places it directly into the critical summer stretch leading straight into Flushing Meadows. Players view the Canadian Masters—which alternates yearly between Montreal and Toronto—as an essential testing ground for adaptation to North American hard courts. Conditions in Montreal typically feature medium-fast acrylic courts and humid summer weather, demanding immediate physical sharpness from the opening round.
Nishikori’s appearance in the qualifying draw reflects his ongoing quest for ranking points and match rhythm. Winning two qualifying matches will be required for the veteran star to advance to the main draw of 56 players. Tournament organizers noted that wild-card announcements and late withdrawals could still shift the qualifying cutoff lines as the August 3 start date approaches.
Tournament Context and Schedule
Main draw action at the ATP 1000 event runs from August 3 through August 10, 2025. Matches take place at Stade IGA within Jarry Park, offering seating capacity across multiple courts for the qualifying weekend. Fans following the event can check the official ATP Tour website or the tournament’s portal for daily order of play announcements and broadcast schedules.
Next up for the competitors is the official qualifying draw ceremony, which will determine the initial matchups for Nishikori and the rest of the qualifying field. Tournament updates and live scoring will be available via the official ATP Tour feed as the tournament gets underway.
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