The Calgary National Bank Challenger announced that Canadian professional tennis player Vasek Pospisil will be joining its second annual tennis tournament hosted at the OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre from February 24 to March 1, 2020.

Pospisil, who has been ranked as high as No. 25 in the world in Singles and No. 4 in Doubles, was most recently named Postmedia’s Male Athlete of the Year for 2019. The Canadian athlete is coming to Calgary following an incredible year having defeated two of the top 10 ranked Singles players in the world – Karen Khachanov (Rus) and Fabio Fognini (ITA). The Vernon B.C. native’s impressive list of accolades includes Wimbledon Singles Quarterfinalist and Wimbledon Doubles Champion, as well as playing in the 2016 Summer Olympics doubles bronze-medal match alongside Daniel Nestor.

“I’m extremely excited to play in the Calgary National Bank Challenger at the Alberta Tennis Centre in February,” said Vasek Pospisil, Canadian Professional Tennis Player. “I’ve heard that the organizers run an incredible event and that the crowds and tennis community in Alberta are amazing. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Following a successful inaugural event in 2018, selling over 6,500 tickets and live streaming to 140,000 viewers, the National Bank Challenger returns to Calgary as the largest indoor men’s professional event in Canada. The tournament will feature some of the best up-and-coming and established men’s professional tennis players in the world competing for ATP (Association of Tennis Professional) rankings.

“We are thrilled to welcome Vasek Pospisil to the second edition of the Calgary National Bank Challenger,” said Danny Da Costa, Tournament Director of the Calgary National Bank Challenger. “Pospisil demonstrates the calibre of talent we host through this exciting tournament, and we look forward to yet another successful event celebrating and recognizing professional tennis in our country and around the world.”

CANADIAN DAVIS CUP PLAYER AND RISING STAR BRAYDEN SCHNUR ADDED TO LINE UP 

On January 23, the Calgary National Bank Challenger announced that Canadian professional tennis player Brayden Schnur will be joining its second annual tennis tournament.

Brayden Schnur, Calgary National Bank Challenger

Schnur, who has been ranked as high as No. 92 (currently 103) in the world in Singles was a member of the Canada’s 2019 Davis Cup team which recently finished in 2nd place at the Davis Cup Finals in Madrid. Schnur is a 3-time All American at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and he is currently ranked #4 in Canada in singles.

In 2019, Schnur advanced to the finals of the New York Open (ATP Tour 250 event), defeating top 100 ranked ATP Players Steve Johnson, Sam Querrey before losing to Reilly Opelka in the final 6-1, 6-7, 7-6. Schnur was also a finalist of the 2019 Charlottesville ATP Challenger losing Vasek Pospisil in three sets and at the Winnipeg National Bank Challenger losing to Norbert Gombos of Slovakia in straight sets in the final. Schnur also participated in the main draw of Wimbledon and US Open events in 2019.

“We are very excited to have Brayden back for the Calgary National Bank Challenger”, said Danny Da Costa, Tournament Director. “Brayden is an emerging star of Canadian Tennis and he was a crowd favourite during his quarter-final run at the 2018 Calgary National Bank Challenger and we feel Brayden can do even better in this year’s event”.

MORE TOURNAMENT ACTIVITIES

In addition to being the largest indoor professional tennis event in Canada, the Calgary National Bank Challenger will feature several exciting activities, including an opportunity to participate in a doubles clinic hosted by former World No. 1 Doubles Player, Olympic Champion and eight-time Grand Slam Champion, Daniel Nestor. The tournament will also provide an opportunity to support children in our community through KidSport Society of Calgary (KidSport), who will be hosting an event on site to raise money for the organization and its partners.

The official player lineup announcement will be made at The CORE Shopping Centre (The CORE) on February 10 at 10 a.m. during an exciting pre-event celebration. The public are encouraged to join tournament organizers at The CORE from February 10 to 21 to play with tennis professionals and buy tickets to the highly anticipated event.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit: www.calgary.nationalbankchallenger.com.

Read more about the Calgary National Bank Challenger’s inaugural year. 

Photo: Vasek Pospisil, Tennis Canada

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