Former World No.1 Daniel Nestor to be honoured in recognition of his retirement and inducted into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame
Tennis Canada – All-star gala to take place at Roy Thompson Hall with a celebratory roast led by Shaun Majumder
TORONTO, June 15, 2018 – Legendary Canadian doubles player Daniel Nestor will hang up his racquet this fall after a brilliant professional tennis career that has brought him 91 titles, more than 1,000 victories and 10 stints as World No.1. The 45-year-old Nestor, who will play in his 30th and final Rogers Cup this summer, will be honoured in a two-part celebration at Roy Thomson Hall on Sunday, August 5.
The Game. Set. Match. Daniel Nestor presented by Sandeep Lal and Tennis Fans like you gala fundraising event will feature a star-studded roast led by Shaun Majumder, with help from Sportsnet’s Caroline Cameron. A host of current and former ATP and Canadian Davis Cup players will take part in the roasting, which will be followed by Nestor’s emotional induction into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame.
“I have been fortunate to have such a long and successful career,” said Nestor. “It feels surreal for it to be coming to an end, but I’m ready to give my body some rest and spend more time with my family. I’m honoured that a fund will be created in my name for the next generation of players. I cannot think of a better way to go out than being surrounded by my friends and family, I just hope that the guys take it easy on me!”
Nestor’s accomplishments make him one of the most celebrated doubles players in tennis history. In 2009, he became the first player – in singles or doubles – to win a title at all four Grand Slams and all nine ATP Masters 1000 events. In total, he has amassed 12 Grand Slam doubles titles, participated in six Olympic Games, where he notably won a gold medal in 2000, and has represented Canada in no less than 52 Davis Cup ties.
“Daniel first played Rogers Cup as a 16-year-old wild card back in 1989 and his contribution to our sport since that day has been nothing short of outstanding,” said Tennis Canada CEO Michael Downey. “Daniel’s accomplishments will define Canadian tennis long into the future and we look forward to celebrating his remarkable career with a fitting send-off in August.”
Sandeep Lal, Owner of Lucero Homes in Boquete, Panama, will be the presenting sponsor of this world-class event that is expected to draw 2,000 guests on the first Sunday of the 2018 Rogers Cup. “As committed supporters of tennis in Canada, we were delighted to be a partner for this event,” said Lal. “Daniel is a legendary tennis player and we always want to step up and show our support.”
Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame Chair Robert Bettaeur added: “We are honored to induct Daniel at this fantastic event. The committee was unanimous in deciding to induct Daniel at his final Rogers Cup, waiving the normal three-year waiting period. His achievements are worthy of immediate induction.”
Individual tickets are now on sale and range from $50 to $200. To purchase tickets or for more information, please call 416-872-4255 or visit us online at www.roythomsonhall.com/tickets/DanielNestor. Proceeds from this event will be used to create an award in Nestor’s name to support the next generation of High Performance Canadian players.
Watch the event teaser video: http://bit.ly/2L6DotE
About Rogers Cup presented by National Bank
Rogers Cup presented by National Bank is a Tennis Canada owned and operated world-class tournament celebrating its 126th anniversary of the women’s event from August 3-12, 2018 at IGA Stadium in Montreal and its 138th anniversary of the men’s event from August 4-12, 2018 at Aviva Centre in Toronto. As a WTA Premier 5 tournament, ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament, and US Open Series event, Rogers Cup presented by National Bank will showcase the world’s best players. Rogers Cup presented by National Bank is the third-oldest title in tennis, behind only Wimbledon and the US Open. For more information and tickets visit www.rogerscup.com.
About Tennis Canada
Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association with a mission to lead the growth of tennis in Canada and a vision to become a world-leading tennis nation. We value teamwork, passion, integrity, innovation and excellence. Tennis Canada owns and operates the premier Rogers Cup presented by National Bank WTA and ATP World Tour events, 9 professional ITF sanctioned events and financially supports 13 other professional tournaments in Canada. Tennis Canada operates junior national training centres/programs in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Tennis Association, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and senior national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on Tennis Canada please visit our Web site at: www.tenniscanada.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Shuan Majumder
Raised in rural Newfoundland, this Gemini award-winning actor/comedian started performing as a teenager and has been at it ever since. His work has taken him through the world of theatre, stand-up comedy, improv and more recently, to his role as Andrew Palmer on NBC/Global Television’s The Firm, starring Josh Lucas and Juliette Lewis. In 2010, he starred as Detective Vik Mahajan in the critically acclaimed crime drama Detroit 1-8-7 on ABC.
For additional information contact: Katie Spellman, katie@katiespellman.com