THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL — The top 30 men and top 25 women players have accepted invitations to play at the Rogers Cup tennis tournaments, which for the first time will be held the same week in Montreal and Toronto.
Uniprix Stadium in Montreal will play host to the men, while the Rexall Centre in Toronto will host the women the week of Aug. 8-14, with each preceded by a qualifying tournament.
"Our tournament has a history of attracting the best of the best and this year is no different," Montreal tournament director Eugene Lapierre said in a release Wednesday.
The men’s entry list includes back-to-back Rogers Cup champion Andy Murray, 16-time grand slam winner Roger Federer, six-time French Open champ Rafael Nadal and Wimbledon winner and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Robin Soderling, Andy Roddick and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are among the other big names entered.
Nadal won the Rogers Cup in 2005 and 2008.
"I’m gong to relax a little bit now, start to practice and try to have a good American (hardcourt) season in Montreal and Cincinnati," the Spaniard said.
Included in the 56-player women’s draw are both Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, Wimbledon finalists Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova, and world No. 1 Caroline Wozniaki.
"The women’s game has been a joy to watch this year with so many emerging talents and rising stars making a name for themselves alongside established pros and fan favourites," said Toronto tournament director Karl Hale.
The Rexall Centre will also host a mini-tournament between tennis legends Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Jim Courier and Michael Chang Aug. 12-14.
Cisco will provide a high definition video link for fans and media in both cities to help follow the on-court action, news conferences and other events between the two "virtually combined" tournaments.