Cross secures wild card entry
London tennis player Kayla Cross has secured a wild-card spot in the main draw of the National Bank Open, set to take place in Toronto from August 1-13. This marks her second consecutive main-draw wild card entry into Canada’s largest tennis tournament. Cross achieved a career-high ranking of 168 and recently won the women’s singles title at the Granby National Bank Open.
Reflecting on her previous experience, Cross noted feeling more nervous last year. This time, she approached the opportunity with a more open mind, focusing on her game. She mentioned that she knew winning a particular match would secure her the wild card, but she managed to concentrate on her play during the match itself, only learning of her success afterward.
Granby victory a career highlight
Cross described her recent victory in Granby as the biggest singles title of her career. Winning on home soil was particularly meaningful to her. She highlighted that her first professional final two years prior was also in Granby, making this win a significant turnaround. The triumph in Granby not only provided a personal achievement but also helped improve her ranking and secure entries into other tournaments, including the wild card for the National Bank Open.
Playing in Canada, Cross finds, offers a distinct advantage due to the supportive crowds. She recounted instances in Granby where the crowd’s energy helped her overcome deficits in matches. The prospect of playing in Toronto, surrounded by friends and family, is anticipated to be a special experience. While acknowledging a degree of pressure, she believes the knowledge that her loved ones wish for her success outweighs any apprehension. Canadian crowds are seen as particularly enthusiastic in their support for local players.
Journey to professional tennis
Cross began playing tennis at a young age, influenced by her father and two older brothers. She stated that she cannot recall a time when she was not playing the sport, indicating an early start around the age of four. Her pursuit of competitive tennis intensified around the age of 12, and by 15, she was solely dedicated to tennis, aiming to build a career from it. Her training involved locations such as the Hunt Club and Greenhills, eventually leading to a more intensive schedule in Toronto.
The commitment to her training involved significant travel, with her mother driving her daily to Toronto for several years. This eventually led to her family renting a place in Toronto to facilitate her training during the week. This dedication underscores her long-term ambition in the sport.
Motivation for Cross comes from the prospect of competing on major stages like the National Bank Open and the main draws of Grand Slams. She emphasizes the continuous drive for the next level while also recognizing the importance of celebrating smaller victories along the way to maintain momentum and avoid feeling overwhelmed by long-term goals.
The National Bank Open will also feature other Canadian talents. Carol Zhao, who will be making her final home open appearance, received a main-draw singles wild card. Ariana Arseneault also received a main-draw singles wild card. In doubles, Leylah Annie Fernandez will reunite with her sister, Bianca Jolie Fernandez, while Bianca Andreescu will team up with Kayla Cross. This pairing of Andreescu and Cross recently represented Canada together at the Billie Jean King Cup. Tournament director Karl Hale noted that having eight Canadians in the main draw reflects the growth of tennis in the country.
Other main-draw wild card recipients include Katherine Sebov, Cadence Brace, Rebecca Marino, and Venus Williams. Additionally, Avery Alexander and Ana Grubor have received qualifying wild cards for the tournament.
Source: lfpress.com
