Vibrant lights. Fierce rivals. Canadian fans rallying around her.
Rebecca Marino recalls every moment from her exhilarating performance at the 2021 National Bank Open.
“Facing (American Madison) Keys on the centre court for my first match—a night match—was surreal. The crowd was incredibly supportive, fueling my drive to win. It was just an electrifying experience that I wanted to relive,” she reflected on her first-round triumph. “What I cherish more are the emotions rather than specific points—it’s all about that atmosphere.”
This very emotion is what Marino aims to capture again as she heads back to the tournament in Montreal this weekend.
The 34-year-old from Vancouver secured a wild-card entry into the main draw earlier this week, joining an historic eight Canadian women competing at this hard-court showdown.
“Opportunities to play at home are rare, and the National Bank Open is our biggest event,” she shared. “It’s thrilling to perform in front of family and friends; it feels truly special.”
The Canadian squad features a blend of rising stars like Carson Branstine and Victoria Mboko alongside established favorites, including Leylah Fernandez, Bianca Andreescu, and Genie Bouchard.
Bouchard recently revealed that this tournament will mark her final appearance as a professional athlete. Likewise, Vasek Pospisil from Vernon, B.C., is poised to retire after the men’s tournament in Toronto.
Both are players Marino holds dear from her journey, and if a tribute video plays on the big screen, she anticipates a few tears in the crowd.
“It’s quite poignant to watch my peers retire,” Marino noted, acknowledging that both Bouchard and Pospisil have been pivotal in shaping Canadian tennis.
“They showcased immense Canadian pride. I’m thrilled for them as they get to compete one last time in front of a home audience. It’s a wonderful celebration.”
Marino, however, is not yet ready to retire her racket.
Currently holding the No. 118 spot globally, Marino feels optimistic about her performance, even during the grass season—a surface she admits isn’t her favorite.
She faced the challenges head-on at the Ilkley Open, a WTA 125 event in the U.K. last month, reaching the finals before narrowly losing to American Iva Jovic.
“I’m learning to embrace the grass, and I’m starting to appreciate it,” Marino stated. “Hard court is where I excel, especially during this North American hard court swing. Right now, I feel fit and healthy, and my game is evolving in the right direction.”
Earlier this year, the towering six-foot right-hander made a brief return to the WTA’s top 100, peaking at No. 98 before the Australian Open.
Marino’s journey in Melbourne ended with a tightly contested first-round match against Britain’s Katie Boulter. However, she expresses confidence in her consistent performance throughout the year.
“I just have to maintain that belief that I belong at the top level and can compete there,” she emphasized. “In tennis, you need to regroup after every week. With only one winner per tournament, it’s a tough road.”
Yet she feels that her moment can come at any time. “At Ilkley, everything fell into place for me, and I’m hoping for another moment like that.”
Accepting the highs and lows of the sport has been a journey for Marino.
After reaching a career-high No. 38 in June 2011, she stepped back from competition in 2013 due to personal challenges, including depression and cyberbullying.
During her hiatus, she returned to school, joined the University of British Columbia’s rowing team, and rediscovered her self-belief.
Five years later, Marino resurfaced in tennis with a refreshed mindset.
“That time away gave me the chance to reflect on my identity and how tennis fits into it—not defining me entirely, but as just one piece of my life,” she explained. “It’s like having a piece of the Rebecca puzzle.”
This shift in perspective reignited Marino’s passion for the game.
As long as her love for tennis persists and her health remains intact, Marino intends to continue her journey.
“Returning to tennis allowed me to appreciate it in a new light. It was completely my choice; I wasn’t just going through the motions. I genuinely wanted to be there, and I cherished every moment,” said Marino, who has also found love off the court.
She recently became engaged to her partner, James Wasteneys.
While juggling her tournament schedule and wedding planning will be a challenge, Marino is ready to embrace it all.
But for now, her focus lies on Montreal and the exceptional opportunity to compete in Canada.
“Every opportunity I get feels like a blessing that I didn’t expect,” Marino concluded. “I make the most of every moment because this is my choice, and I love what I do.”
