WELCOME MESSAGE

Welcome to Tennis Canada’s 2020 Annual Report. Though my tenure as Chair of the Board began almost two years ago, this is the first Annual Report for which I have had the opportunity to write the opening remarks. We were unable to publish one last year to reflect on 2019, which is a great shame given the unprecedented success Canada enjoyed on and off the court in what was a record-breaking year.

In contrast, there is no doubt that 2020 was one of the most difficult 12-month periods in our organization’s history as the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged not just our sport, but the entire world. Tournaments across the globe were cancelled or postponed, including our marquee Rogers Cup presented by National Bank (now the National Bank Open presented by Rogers) events in Toronto and Montreal. Facing a staggering $31 million loss, the organization was proactive in its management of the situation and the Board has held numerous meetings dedicated to steering Tennis Canada through the precariousness of COVID-19. We were forced into making some extremely difficult decisions but were able to reduce the financial loss to $8 million. Unfortunately, most of our juniors, seniors and wheelchair tennis events were also cancelled in 2020, but we are confident there are brighter times ahead.

Despite the uncertainties caused by the pandemic, our elite players were still able to produce successful performances on the biggest stage for Canadians to be proud of in 2020. While we were unable to see our 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in action, terrific seasons for Denis Shapovalov, Félix Auger-Aliassime, Milos Raonic and the resurgence of Eugenie Bouchard and Vasek Pospisil were a joy to watch, as was the ever-impressive Gabriela Dabrowski in doubles and Leylah Annie Fernandez’s breakthrough onto the scene.

Away from the court, our ambitious (Re)Build a #TennisNation fundraising campaign enjoyed remarkable success. With 90% of the money we invest in the development of tennis each year being stripped away due to the postponement of our ATP and WTA 1000 events, grassroots tennis program cuts, less competitions and reduced investment in the successful high-performance system were unavoidable. However, thanks to the generosity of past and present players, my fellow board members and Canadian tennis fans, we were able to raise a staggering $850,000 to help us rebuild.

I cannot close my remarks without referencing the bright future Tennis Canada has in store. Already in 2021, we have announced historic ten-year and seven-year partnership agreements with National Bank and Rogers Communications respectively. Their new roles as title and presenting partner of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers, as well as their increased investments in tennis development at all levels, from grassroots to high performance, are a testament to their confidence and belief in our great sport. But, more on that in 2021’s Annual report…

Grassroots (Community and Kids Tennis)

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• 83 Rogers Rookie Tour tournaments were organized across 30 Canadian cities in 2020
• Over 500 kids from underserved communities received subsidized tennis programming through Tennis Canada’s partner organizations in 2020
• The University Championships held at Rogers Cup and Coupe Rogers were cancelled in 2020

The growth of the game begins at the grassroots level and Tennis Canada, along with the Provincial Tennis Associations work with clubs, coaches and not-for-profit organizations to ensure tennis is accessible to children from all backgrounds.

COMMUNITY TENNIS

Regular initiatives with organizations, such as Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and the YMCA, to offer tennis programming to communities across the country had to be discontinued in 2020.

KIDS TENNIS

Rogers Rookie Tour events are designed to act as a bridge between entry-level tennis and the competitive junior circuit. In 2020, 83 events were held in 30 different Canadian cities from coast to coast to coast despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Foundation (Competitive Structure, Coaching, Officiating, TPA, Facilities)

Tennis Professionals Association and Coaching

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 24 in-person courses were delivered by the Provincial Tennis Associations in 2020 with close to 200 participants being certified. Meanwhile, in High Performance coaching, 21 coaches received their Coach 3, seven their Coach 4 and three their Coach 5 qualifications.

The Tennis Professionals Association (TPA) hosted four in-person conferences before the pandemic, with over 300 participants, and held various webinars throughout the remainder of the year to support Tennis Development Centres, High Performance coaches, instructors, club professionals, and club leaders. These webinars included three specifically geared towards the Under-12 pipeline with over 350 participants.

A COVID-19 section was also created on the TPA website and featured on-going communication regarding the pandemic and its impact on the sport for members and clubs.

At year-end, TPA membership stood at over 3,000 with over 80% of coaches working at year-round facilities actively certified. Meanwhile, also by year end, 2,800 members completed their minimum safeguarding requirements, which included the addition of requiring a valid background check.

OFFICIATING

Although 2020 saw a reduction in the number of events held, the Officiating department remained very active. A new streamlined certification program for officials was launched and the membership system continued throughout 2020 to keep officials engaged via increased communication.

Monthly webinars and training sessions were held for current officials to keep their knowledge up to date. An online learning system was developed, and content created for launch in 2021.

In all there were approximately 300 Canadian officials certified in 2020. 26 officials hold an ITF certification of which eight are at the International level.

Safe Sport

Safe Sport remains a one of Tennis Canada’s highest priorities. In 2020, the organization focussed on the following initiatives:

Development of Travel policy with minors – Tennis Canada has implemented a best-in-class policy for individuals in a position of authority while they are travelling with minors nationally or internationally. The policy includes a requirement for ratios and a minimum requirement of two adults. There are also additional requirements when travelling with athletes of both genders or the opposite gender. For example, there must be at least one coach or support staff member of the opposite gender also travelling. All those that are travelling must also be safe sport screened, educated, and bound by the Code of Conduct. Any travel requests must be reviewed and approved by the High Performance and Safe Sport departments.

Implementation of the Universal Code of Conduct as required by Sport Canada – Tennis Canada has adjusted the suggested code to reflect the environment of our sport and to make sure that it can be rolled out to all levels of the organization. The new code is now approved by the Board of Directors and will serve as a fundamental document for safe sport practices.

Education – Tennis Canada is continuing its commitment to educate all those that are in a position of authority and any other stakeholders to ensure tennis in Canada is among the safest sports to participate in. In 2020 Canada had 2,500 coaches and administrators take the Respect in Sport – Activity Leader Program. Tennis Canada continues to work with our Provincial and Territorial partners to make sure that everyone in a position of authority is safe sport certified.

FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT

Tennis Canada continued to advocate for more year-round tennis facilities across the country in 2020. The Municipal Tennis Facilities Strategy and Partnership Framework aims to partner with municipalities and facility operators to create more year-round tennis facilities for Canadians. Numerous municipalities are in consultation with Tennis Canada about developing year-round tennis in their communities.

As it stands, municipalities are the largest owners of tennis courts in Canada, but just 2% of them are covered. A study, commissioned by Tennis Canada, found that there are just 750 accessible covered courts across the country, meaning there is around one indoor court for every 50,000 Canadians. When ranked alongside other developed tennis nations, Canada finishes second to last in that category.

ATLANTIC TENNIS CENTRE

The Atlantic Tennis Centre opened its doors in fall 2020. The facility has become a reality with the support of the Province of Nova Scotia, the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and the Government of Canada as well as lead private donor Jean MacPherson, and Tennis Canada. The facility features a dome covering six clay courts, six new permanent indoor international standard hard courts, six additional outdoor hard courts and three pickleball courts. Tennis Nova Scotia has expanded and now has a community tennis facility that will serve as a hub to grow the sport of tennis across the province, while also serving as a provincial training centre.

PACIFIC TENNIS CENTRE

In 2020, Tennis Canada and the City of Burnaby continued to partner on developing a Pacific Tennis Centre (PTC). A feasibility study was completed. The vision for the PTC remains to create a tennis centre serving grassroots to high performance tennis across British Columbia. Given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tennis Canada has revised the development plan to include phases, starting with Phase I which would see six hard-courts developed for year-round use. Phase II would target additional outdoor courts, including multi-sport courts, and Phase III would complete the vision with the indoor facility.

GIVING BACK – TENNIS CANADA DONORS STEPPED UP!

The generosity and commitment of donors and fundraisers helps make Tennis Canada’s work possible. We are grateful to have the support of passionate and loyal donors who offered incredible support during this rebuild period. Thank you for stepping up!

Through the Rebuild A #TennisNation Campaign that was launched at the end of 2020, over $850,000 was raised. These funds helped Tennis Canada continue to develop athletes at all levels and grow tennis in the community from coast to coast. Tennis Canada would like to thank Anton Rabie and the contingent of Canadian players led by Bianca Andreescu and Félix Auger-Aliassime who inspired donations through their gifts. Special thanks must also go to Famille Le Blanc, Sherry Vanstone, Famille Hon. Michael M. Fortier, cp, for matching the leadership gift. Our gratitude also goes out to the many generous donors who contributed during a year of incredible uncertainty. Tennis Canada is tremendously grateful.

Click here to consult the complete donor listing.

In 2020, Tennis Canada welcomed four new members to the Lifetime Legends, a group of passionate donors whose lifetime contributions exceed $100,000. Thank you to Gary and Jo Barnes, Tony and Moira Cohen, Bruce Hudgins and James MacAulay.

Tennis Canada would also like to recognize the continued support of the Le Blanc family (High Performance), the Green Fischer Family (Junior Nationals, Future Champions Fund), the Tevlin Family (High Performance and Sports Science), the Cynamon Family (Sports Science), Mark and Yael Wilder (Ben Wilder Scholarship Fund), Betty Birmingham (Canadian Wheelchair tennis), the Milavsky Foundation (High Performance tennis) in Memory of Harold P. Milavsky, and various Canadian players including Bianca Andreescu, Félix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez (Rebuild A #TennisNation campaign),  as well as Roger Martin and Milos Raonic.

Donor Spotlight – Green Fischer Family Trust

Karen Green and George Fischer’s support for Tennis Canada started in 2015 when they became major donors to the organization’s kids’ tennis programs across the country and in the Jane and Finch community. In 2018, their burning desire to make a lasting impact on Canada’s high-performance pipeline led to them creating the Future Champions Fund, which helps Canada’s next generation of athletes offset the extreme costs associated with high-performance development.

In 2020 The Green Fischer Family Trust committed a transformational gift of $1M to support Tennis Canada’s Junior Nationals program, now called The Fischer Junior Nationals. Their contribution comes at a crucial time for Tennis Canada, after the organization recorded losses due to COVID-19.

“This investment is a representation of our passion for tennis in Canada,” said George Fischer. “We are determined to do whatever we can to help develop more high-performance players so that we can see more Canadians winning more Grand Slam titles, Olympic medals and our teams make deep runs in the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. We understand the financial difficulties Tennis Canada is currently experiencing as a result of COVID-19 and we see this investment as a legacy gift that will help immensely in the short-term but also to ensure progress is made in the long-term. We hope that in being made aware of the losses incurred by Tennis Canada as a result of the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that more donors come forward and make similar investments. It is a true honour to have the Junior Nationals renamed the Fischer Junior Nationals.”

Competitive Structure

The goal of Tennis Canada’s competitive structure is to provide opportunities for competitive match play for all juniors to prepare them for international tournaments. Over 350 junior tournaments were held across the country in 2020 with over 2,800 U18 players participating in at least one tournament. Tennis Canada’s competitive structure is designed to build a strong junior pipeline that feeds into its high-performance program.

Partnerships

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS

Tennis Canada is proud to count on the support of its many partners year after year. In 2020, the organization relied on the collaboration of leading sponsors such as National Bank, Rogers, IGA/Sobeys, Rolex, BMW, IRIS and Motorola.

Though most of last year’s events were cancelled, the vast majority of our sponsors stood by us. Some even extended their agreements. There is no doubt that their invaluable support helped Tennis Canada get through the global crisis. It also constitutes further proof of the quality of the relationship and communication our organization has cultivated with our business partners over the past several years.

National Bank, which is one of our long-standing major sponsors, also created a scholarship program to support 23 professional tennis and wheelchair tennis players, as well as juniors who are transitioning to the professional tours. The athletes, who were particularly hard hit when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the tennis world to cancel its tournaments, were deeply grateful for the financial support they received.

PROVINCIAL TENNIS ASSOCIATIONS

Tennis Canada works closely with 11 Provincial, Territorial Tennis Associations (PTAs) to continue to grow the sport across the country and make tennis available to all Canadians. Key areas of the partnerships include participation, facilities, high performance and coaching development. Despite the financial losses and the reduction of funding in most focus areas due to the global pandemic, Tennis Canada maintained these partnerships which were especially critical to ensure safe play in 2020 and beyond. Notably, the collaboration between the PTAs and Tennis Canada resulted in the creation and implementation of security and health guidelines that allowed Canadians to play tennis in the safest way possible.

Moreover, for many years Tennis Canada and the PTAs have invested in increasing frequent play among U12 players to help strengthen the junior pipeline and close the gap in the number of U12 participants in tennis compared with other sports. This shared priority ultimately helps achieve long-term growth in the sport through the development of life-long tennis players.

Tournaments

Rogers Cup presented by National Bank

Year after year, Rogers Cup presented by National Bank (now the National Bank Open presented by Rogers) continues to place Canada at the forefront of international tennis, helping to promote and develop the sport across the country.

In 2020, however, the COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted the world-class events in Montreal and Toronto. In fact, due to the pandemic and following the measures imposed by various government officials, Tennis Canada was forced to postpone the tournaments to 2021.

Ticketholders were encouraged to hold on to their tickets for 2021, as 80% of them showed their loyalty to the organization and their optimism for the future by keeping their tickets for the following year.

The implications of this postponement for Tennis Canada were substantial. The National Bank Open events are the engine of tennis development in Canada. 90% of the money that is successfully invested in the development of the sport each year comes from the profits of these two tournaments. It goes without saying that 2020 was a very difficult year for the organization.

Challenger Events

Two National Bank Challenger events were able to take place prior to the shutdown of the tennis season, caused by the pandemic. In Drummondville, Maxime Cressy of the United States was crowned champion over Arthur Rinderknech of France. Nine Canadian players competed in the main draw, with Brayden Schnur and Taha Baadi each reaching the second round. The tournament had another stellar year, notably reaching their highest attendance numbers yet, as 6,257 fans attended the event throughout the week.

The following week in Calgary, the final opposed the same two players, as it was Rinderknech who took the top honours this time around. The final was played in front of a sold-out crowd at the Osten & Victor Alberta Tennis Centre. In doubles, Canadian Filip Peliwo reached the final playing alongside Australian Harry Bourchier.

Other Postponements

• The Rogers Cup events in Montreal and Toronto were not the only tournaments to be affected by the pandemic in 2020. In fact, 58 Canadian tournaments were either cancelled or postponed:
• 26 junior tournaments
• 12 seniors tournaments
• 8 wheelchair tournaments
• 9 professional tournaments*
• 3 University Championships

*Including the Rogers Cup events in Montreal and Toronto.

Wheelchair, Juniors and Seniors Tennis

Rob Shaw, Canada’s top ranked wheelchair athlete, finished 2020 ranked no. 9 in the world and is on track to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympics in August 2021.

Although competition was sporadic across the country, Canada’s top juniors continued to train at the Montreal National Tennis Centre as well as the Regional Training Programs in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. Tennis Canada also announced that its U12, U14, U16 and U18 Junior Nationals will be renamed the Fischer Junior Nationals from 2021 and will remain as strong as ever, thanks to significant investment made by long-time supporters of tennis in Canada, The Green Fischer Family Trust.

(Photo: Scott Grant)

The International Tennis Federation announced that, as of 2021, the Men’s 85 World Team Championships will be renamed the Lorne Main Cup after the late Canadian. Lorne Main was selected for the honour following a unanimous vote by the ITF Seniors Committee, and approval from the ITF Board of Directors, after his name was put forward by Tennis Canada as part of the nomination process.

High performance

Professional Tennis

Despite the exceptional situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there was still plenty to be positive about thanks to the exploits of Canada’s players on the court. Five Canadians finished the season ranked in the Top 25 – four in singles and one in doubles. Despite not playing in 2020, Bianca Andreescu remained Canada’s top-ranked player at No. 7 on the WTA Tour, with Denis Shapovalov a close second at No. 12 on the ATP Tour having reached a career-high No. 10 in September. Gabriela Dabrowski concluded the season ranked inside the WTA’s Top 10 in doubles for the third consecutive year. Milos Raonic (No. 14), who reached the final of the Western & Southern Open Masters 1000 event, and Félix Auger-Aliassime (No. 21), who reached three ATP singles finals of this own and won the doubles title at the Rolex Paris Masters, also featured in the Top 25.

Vasek Pospisil started 2020 at No. 149 but climbed up to No. 61 by year-end. Runs to the finals of the Sofia Open and Open Sud de France in Montpellier were highlights for the 30-year-old. Leylah Annie Fernandez, meanwhile, burst onto the scene in 2020 and finished at a career-high No. 88. The youngster started the year with a major upset in Billie Jean King Cup action as she beat then-World No. 5 Belinda Bencic 6-2, 7-6(3) in Team Canada’s tie against Switzerland in Biel. Fernandez also picked up her first victory in a Grand Slam main draw on her way to a third-round appearance at Roland-Garros in Paris and reached her first WTA final in Acapulco. Eugenie Bouchard enjoyed a resurgent 2020 and finished the year ranked No. 144 in singles – having begun it at No. 224 – having made a run to the final of the Istanbul Open in September.

National Tennis Centre

Since its inauguration, the NTC counts over 41 successful graduates from the program, including the likes of Bianca Andreescu, Eugenie Bouchard, Félix Auger-Aliassime and Milos Raonic who have all gone on to have stellar careers on the professional circuit and represent their country with distinction.

The class of 2020-2021 was composed of Victoria Mboko, Kayla Cross, Mia Kupres, Annabelle Xu, Jaden Weekes, Christophe Clément and Stefan Simeunovic. The coaching staff includes Sylvain Bruneau, who continued to spearhead the women’s program and worked closely with André Labelle and Simon Larose, as well as Guillaume Marx, who oversaw the men’s program working closely with Martin Laurendeau. Nicolas Perrotte and Virginie Tremblay were the fitness coaches and André Barette continued his role as Academic Consultant.

2020 Tennis Canada Excellence Awards

Male

• Player of the Year: Milos Raonic
• Singles Player of the Year: Milos Raonic
• Doubles Player of the Year: Denis Shapovalov
• Most Improved Player of the Year: Vasek Pospisil

Female

• Player of the Year: Leylah Annie Fernandez
• Singles Player of the Year: Leylah Annie Fernandez
• Doubles Player of the Year: Gabriela Dabrowski
• Most Improved Player of the Year: Leylah Annie Fernandez

Hall of Fame Inductees

In 2020, Tennis Canada inducted three new members into its Hall of Fame. In fact, Jack Graham, Q.C. as well as Betty and her late husband Bruce Birmingham were officially inducted into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame as builders for their significant contributions to the success of Canadian tennis.

Mr. Graham has been and continues to be a great builder of Canadian tennis. He helped develop Canadian tennis at the local, national and international level for over 40 years. He was President of the Nova Scotia Tennis Association (1995 to 2001), before being elected on Tennis Canada’s Board of Directors (2001 to 2019). He was Chair of the Board from 2004 to 2006 and helped lay the foundation for Canada to become a leading tennis nation. During his mandate, Tennis Canada made the decision to significantly invest in athlete development, which included opening the organization’s first National Tennis Centre in Montreal. He was also instrumental in bringing the Davis Cup to Nova Scotia, advocating for municipalities to support year-round tennis play and helping build a strong tennis pathway for the country to grow the game. In 2009, he became the first Canadian elected to the International Tennis Federation Board of Directors. In September 2019, he was re-elected for a fifth term, becoming the longest serving Director on the ITF Board.

The Birmingham family’s contribution over the last few decades to Canadian wheelchair tennis has been instrumental in developing the foundation on which the success of the sport has been built. Through the Tennis Matters campaign, the family has donated over $2 Million to provide Canada’s wheelchair tennis athletes with enhanced funding and competitive opportunities. Their involvement has developed over time as they supported Canadian wheelchair tennis players at events, providing so much care and assistance to these athletes. In 2006, they offered funding for the Canadian National Wheelchair Tennis Championships and in 2008, they decided to focus their efforts on Canada’s Paralympic success by creating the Birmingham Excellence Fund to assist with coaching and training support for prospective Canadian Paralympic tennis athletes. Since establishing this fund, Canada has won two Parapan Am medals in 2015 and 2019.

Financials

Total Revenue

Total Expenses

Canadian Open Surplus (in millions)

Sport Canada Funding (in thousands)

Tennis Development Revenue

Tennis Development Expenses

Tennis Development Spending (in thousands)