It will be a new-look Rogers Cup this year with Toronto and Montreal each hosting tournaments at the same time instead of over back-to-back weeks.
It’s part of a WTA Tour and ATP Tour initiative for a handful of tournaments this season, where men’s and women’s draws will be combined into one event. The Rogers Cup is the only event that is using a “virtual combined” format with matches being played over a week in two different cities.
However, not everyone is a fan of the new setup, including former world No. 1 Roger Federer.
“Clearly I think it’s a bit unfortunate for Canada to have two big events like this at the very same time,” Federer said Wednesday on a conference call from Switzerland.
“But I guess it’s sometimes what it is.”
The tournaments begin this weekend with qualifying draws — the men are at Uniprix Stadium in Montreal while the women are at Rexall Centre in Toronto.
The field is strong for both events with main draw action set to begin Monday.
“I still think in cities like Montreal and Toronto, I think it’s going to be very successful,” Federer said. “I have no doubt about that because (Tennis Canada) puts on a great event, a great show for the fans. So I think that’s fine but I guess we’ll have to wait and see how it goes.”
Federer said he prefers the traditional schedule that has been used for years.
“You still have two (tournaments) but they’re the same week, you know? I just think it would be nice if you have them spread out like they have been,” Federer said. “Is it good to have them back to back? I don’t know. Or is it good to have one in February or one in September? I don’t know.
“I guess it’s Tennis Canada who really has to answer that question, not me. But I don’t know, maybe it feels like a bigger tournament to some, I’m not sure.”
The Rogers Cup is one of nine Masters 1000 events on the ATP World Tour, a step below the Grand Slams. The tournament is also a premier event on the WTA tournament calendar.
“To grow this sport, we want our events to be as big as they can possibly be,” Toronto tournament director Karl Hale said in a phone interview with The Canadian Press.
“So that’s why we’re going in this direction. With change, there’s going to be some growing pains and some different points of view.
“(Federer’s) point is very valid but I think for the growth of the sport, this will be a tremendous opportunity for us and we’re looking forward to it.”
The new format will allow fans in one venue to view matches from the other on television screens set up at both stadium sites. The TV broadcast will bounce between cities to feature matches from both tournaments.
The official tournament draws will be held Friday afternoon.