I like tennis. But I wouldn’t have called myself a fan–I didn’t follow the sport or know the nuances of the matches. So, it was a pleasantly unexpected surprise that attending the National Bank Open became a highlight of the summer.
Seeing a match wasn’t on my dance card, but I was lucky to be invited by Moët & Chandon to see the women’s single quarter-finals. The invite came with a lovely care package that included a mini Moët Brut Impérial, a fun visor, and a fantastic pair of Givenchy sunglasses through which to view the match. (I’m not sure who was in charge of selecting sunglasses for the dozen-ish invitees, but we all had different styles, and they were all a perfect match. That’s a skill!)
The journey to the stadium was the least sophisticated element of the experience, but it was essential in the emotional arc of the afternoon. The subway is by far the smartest way to access the venue. It requires a long walk across hot pavement from the station into Sobey’s Stadium. On the crowded subway is where the seeds of anticipation are planted, as you catch sight of one of the vibrant NBO exclusive Psycho Bunny tennis jerseys, or a couple dressed in stylish matching tennis gear. As you filter off the train at Pioneer Village Station, you feel yourself moving in unison with others headed for the NBO. By the time you are walking along the road to the stadium, you see people coming from every direction, emerging from doors, around corners, across streets, coming together, flowing towards the stadium. By the way many are dressed, it’s obvious they are there for tennis. But more than appearance, there is a shared jubilation that is palpable as you move with the crowd.
It all culminates as you enter the venue and are immersed in the happy chaos of the vendor village. It’s not overwhelming, but it is a little hot and hectic. This made our next stop so enjoyable: the Moët & Chandon terrace.
In the midst of the vendor village, the Moët Terrace is an elegant refuge. The pace slows down as you relax into the comfy sofas tucked between verdant plants. Sun dapples through the fabric in the pergola. You can feel the buzz of the event around you, but the vibe is decidedly relaxed and inviting, as you make new friends over a glass of champagne. The bubbly of choice here was Moët’s Ice Imperial, designed to be served exclusively over ice. Hard to imagine a more perfect beverage for this setting and situation. The sips were complemented with oysters and a caviar bump, and everything felt easy, fun, and lux.
Of course, the tennis remained the star.
From the Moët & Chandon box, there was a cinematic quality to the match. The rhythm of each rally. The crowd going from hush to hurrah. You could feel the players’ emotions as they fluctuated from frustration to elation. The colours of the sunset filled the space above the stadium, as though the sky itself was applauding the efforts on the court.
The match between Ekaterina Alexandrova and Elina Svitolina was particularly compelling. Alexandrova took the opening set 6–3, playing with the kind of clean, aggressive ball-striking that can make a match appear almost effortless. But Svitolina gradually found another gear.
The second set belonged entirely to Svitolina. She broke Alexandrova three times and swept through the set 6–0, transforming the momentum of the match in the space of a few minutes. The deciding set was closer and considerably more tense, with longer rallies and a crowd increasingly invested in every point. Svitolina eventually prevailed 6–3, completing a comeback that was even more impressive for the composure with which she produced it.
From my seat, the Champagne added a delightful dimension to the afternoon. Moët & Chandon’s lineup was a particularly fitting companion, the The Brut Impérial and Rosé easily pleasing our small party. The highlight, though, was finishing the evening with a Grand Vintage. There is something reassuring about the house’s ability to make Champagne feel both celebratory and effortless.
When I got on the subway earlier in the day, I expected to go watch a tennis match, which I anticipated would be mildly interesting. I left with a newfound appreciation for the sport and the experience of attending the National Bank Open. It was a moment I plan on turning into a new summer ritual. And that ain’t just the champagne talking.
