TORONTO — Liam Draxl certainly showcased his talent, but ultimately, the most pivotal match of his professional tennis journey concluded in disappointment.
On Monday night at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers, the 23-year-old Draxl made his ATP Tour debut, gaining a wild-card entry into this prestigious event. Competing on the center stage of Toronto’s Sobeys Stadium, the Newmarket, Ontario native — who spent countless summers chasing after wristbands and towels from seasoned players — kicked off the match with an electrifying performance, snatching the first set against 34-year-old Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta. However, Draxl’s momentum faltered in the second set, allowing the experienced Carreno Busta — a former NBO champion in 2022 — to secure victory with a three-set scoreline of 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Nevertheless, Draxl found silver linings amid the defeat.
“The feeling was incredible,” he shared. “This was such a special moment for me—playing my first main draw at home, surrounded by family and friends. It’s just unforgettable.”
Draxl certainly brought excitement to the Sobeys crowd, filled with supportive familiar faces from his hometown. The first set was alive with fist pumps as Draxl’s performance soared; he dominated with an impressive 11 of 11 first-serve points. However, his stats took a hit in the second set, where he achieved only 10 of 15 first serves as he struggled to replicate his striking start.
“I came out strong,” he reflected. “It’s all about perspectives—he had a few misses early on, while I was serving like a champ. I broke at 5-2 in the first set, but he steadily improved throughout the match. He’s a seasoned player, and I’m still finding my footing on the tour.”
After losing the second set, Draxl returned with determination to hold serve at the start of the third. However, he faced a setback when Carreno Busta broke him in the third game, leaving him trailing 2-1. Draxl received on-court attention for a troublesome right shoulder but remained optimistic. When he broke Carreno Busta back in the sixth game, leveling the score at 3-3, hope flickered again, only to be overshadowed by three double faults in the following game.
“Ultimately, my shoulder isn’t too bad—just some muscle tightness affecting my serve,” he acknowledged. “But I need to toughen up and avoid those double faults.”
That unfortunate dip proved costly, as Carreno Busta maintained control, securing the win without further resistance.
“It’s disappointing not to sustain my level,” Draxl lamented. “Everyone on the ATP Tour is incredibly skilled. I usually compete on the Challenger Tour, where I face players ranked inside the top 300. The caliber here is phenomenal, which necessitates going for bigger serves and shots. Players like Pablo can capitalize on any slip-up.”
Draxl wasn’t the only Canadian facing a tough outcome on Monday. Just the day before, Dan Martin triumphed over Japanese veteran Taro Daniel in a rain-delayed qualifier, only to falter against Spain’s Jaume Munar, losing 6-3, 6-0.
Despite the setback, Martin found motivation in his NBO experience.
“It was an amazing experience,” he reflected. “I felt both excitement and nerves, but managed to keep them in check during my win yesterday. Today was a new experience, playing in front of such a large crowd. I’m pleased with how I performed and look forward to what lies ahead.”
Amidst the losses, a Canadian victory emerged. Alexis Galarneau, entering as a wild card, triumphed over France’s Arthur Rinderknech in a two-set match (7-6, 6-3) that concluded just before midnight. This victory marked the 26-year-old’s first main draw win on the tour.
This is the kind of success that Draxl anticipates in his journey, believing that experiences like facing Carreno Busta will pave the way for future triumphs.
“I know there’s still a long road ahead on the ATP Tour, but I’m eager to embrace the process of adjusting to this level and the intense atmospheres,” Draxl concluded. “I’ve faced tour veterans and had my chances. My skill level is there; it’s mostly about gaining more experience.”
