Novak Djokovic - Tennis Canada

Nadal and Djokovic Arrive at Rexall Centre

July 18, 2008

With main draw action for the Rogers Cup set to get underway in just a couple of days, players from the ATP Tour have touched down in Toronto and made their way to Rexall Centre for practice.

Many of the sport’s biggest stars have already been spotted around the grounds making last minute preparations before main draw play begins on Monday.

The biggest names seen so far are reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal of Spain and defending Rogers Cup champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia. Djokovic arrived in Toronto on Thursday evening and spent his Friday working on his game on centre court with both countryman Janko Tipsarevic and Croatia’s Mario Ancic. Meanwhile, 2005 Rogers Cup winner Nadal landed at Pearson International Airport early on Friday and showed up at Rexall Centre in the evening for his first practice of the week.

Several other top players have also been on site in the past couple of days. Russia’s Marat Safin, the 2000 Rogers Cup champion who received a wildcard into the main draw after his stunning semifinal run at Wimbledon, was around on Thursday practicing with Spain’s Tommy Robredo. In addition, players like world No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko, No. 10 Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland), Richard Gasquet (France), Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic), Mikhail Youzhny (Russia), Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) and Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) are currently in Toronto warming up for the tournament.

Qualifying action begins Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. and the official main draw will take place on the Stage of Champions at 2:00 p.m.