Canada’s Carol Zhao will receive a main-draw wild card entry for the 2026 National Bank Open, marking the final appearance of her professional tennis career at the tournament. Zhao, 31, from Richmond Hill, Ontario, announced earlier this year that the 2026 season would be her last on the WTA Tour after a decade as a professional, having turned pro in 2016.

Tennis Canada confirmed on Sunday that Zhao, along with fellow Richmond Hill native Ariana Arseneault, secured the final two women’s singles wild cards for the event. The tournament is set to begin next Saturday at Sobeys Stadium. Zhao and Arseneault join a field of notable wild-card recipients that includes seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, as well as Canadian players Bianca Andreescu, Kayla Cross, Katherine Sebov, Cadence Brace, and Rebecca Marino.

In a statement, Noelle van Lottum, head of women’s tennis at Tennis Canada, expressed enthusiasm for awarding the wild cards to Zhao and Arseneault. Van Lottum noted Zhao’s long-standing contribution to Canadian tennis and highlighted the significance of her final participation in her home tournament. She also praised Arseneault for her steady progress and commitment to reaching the highest competitive standards.

In addition to the singles wild cards, Tennis Canada announced doubles wild cards for the pairs of Bianca Andreescu and Kayla Cross, as well as sisters Leylah and Bianca Fernandez from Laval, Quebec.

One of Canada’s emerging talents, Victoria Mboko, who won last year’s National Bank Open in Montreal, will be unable to compete this year due to a knee injury. The absence of Mboko marks a notable change in the tournament lineup as Canada continues to showcase a blend of experienced players and rising stars.