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Rogers Cup 2017 has certainly left its mark on Canadian tennis, with the mighty Federer’s first appearance here since 2011, young Denis Shapovalov’s run to the semifinals and an unbeatable attendance record that was finally broken. Once again, the tournament in Montréal is among the world’s leading events.

Here are ten fun facts you may (or may not!) know about Rogers Cup.

No volunteers, no tournament
After the final match is played and all is said and done, there’s a reason the winner and runner up at tournaments around the world take the time to thank the volunteers, who make the event possible. Rogers Cup 2017 is 1 288 volunteers on 21 committees that all aim to create the best possible experience for the players, the media and the fans. On behalf of Rogers Cup presented by National Bank and Tennis Canada, thank you 1 288 times!



36 years at Rogers Cup
Sylvie Houle has seen quite a few Rogers Cup tournaments. The event’s most senior volunteer was at her 36th edition this year. She started out on the program committee and then moved to the Tennis Canada boutique committee. For the past decade, she has been part of the Salon Henri-Rochon team. She remembers the time when the main sponsor was a tobacco company and she was thanked with a huge carton of cigarettes. Times certainly have changed!



Record ticket sales
The Roger Federer effect and Denis Shapovalov’s amazing run were just some of the factors that helped boost tickets sales. The final count has yet to come in but the 2011 attendance record of 213 760 tickets sold has already been surpassed by nearly 3 000 tickets. Indeed, the tournament estimates that 216 097 fans passed through the gates. Approximately 200 standing area tickets on Centre Court were sold every day since Tuesday.



Sky tennis
First seed Rafael Nadal of Spain and third seed Dominic Thiem of Austria hit a few balls on a kids’ tennis court built on the world’s highest leaning tower at Olympic Stadium. A film crew was on hand to mark the event and capture the spectacular views.



The Green Plan turns 10!
This year, the Green Plan turned 10, marking a decade of ecoresponsible actions at Rogers Cup. The tournament has been certified carbon neutral since 2008, meaning that the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the players, employees, volunteers and tournament operations are entirely offset. The tournament’s zero waste objective, alternative transportation, responsible procurement guidelines for suppliers and partners, social commitment and awareness building are among the initiatives that make Rogers Cup one of the greenest events in Canada.

Japan comes to Uniprix Stadium
This year, a few new items were added to the Rogers Cup players’ menu: Junichi Ikematsu, chef at Jun I on avenue Laurier ouest, was on hand every day between noon and 2 p.m. to prepare fresh sushi for the competitors and their guests. After hearing from other tournaments that ATP players ate sushi morning, noon and night, Tennis Canada decided to include the Japanese specialities to the menu this year.



Young guns in the final four
At the age of 18, Denis Shapovalov became the youngest semifinalist in a Masters 1000 event since the series was created in 1990 and the youngest Rogers Cup semifinalist since the start of the Open Era. His match against 20-year-old Alexander Zverev is also the youngest Masters 1000 semi since two 18-year-olds, Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet, battled in Monte Carlo in 2005.



Weekend at the Trois-Rivières Grand Prix
Rogers Cup provides each Top 10 player with his or her own driver. They are volunteers on the transportation committee and often have quite a few great stories to tell. Committee leader Martin Choquette remembers a tournament when a driver got to spend the entire weekend, all expenses paid, with a player who loved car racing at the Trois-Rivières Grand Prix—an unforgettable experience!

It rains, it pours
Through light showers, heavy rain and major storms, the 20 members of the operations team are in charge of drying the courts, sometimes with the help of the ball boys and girls. Needless to say, they are ready for anything. With ten members assigned to Centre Court and ten to National Bank Court, the committee rushes when the ATP calls to begin the drying process. The drying time depends on weather conditions, such as the sun and wind. For example, it takes more time to dry a court in the evening than it does in the daytime when the sun is shining. The main courts are usually dried first, but the match courts are always the priority.

And winner is . . . Canadian tennis!
With over 216 000 tickets sold for the 2017 edition of Rogers cup, tennis development in Canada will once again receive incredible support as a result of the tournament. Because Tennis Canada is a non-profit national sports organization, all the profits support the expansion, promotion and visibility of the sport across the nation.

ATP MONTREAL

5 - Alexander Zverev's titles this year: Montpellier, Monaco, Roma, Washington, Montreal. Only a final lost, to Roger Federer in Halle.
2 - Masters 1000 titles won in a row by Zverev. Last player outside of "Fab Four" to do it was David Nalbandian (2007 Madrid and Paris Bercy).
142 - Career-finals played by Roger Federer, who won 93 titles and lost 49. He would have equalled Ivan Lendl at 94.
45 - Masters 1000 finals played by Federer, who equalled Nadal's record. He also played 59 semifinals.
35 - Matches won by Federer this year, best start since 2006 when he began 38-2. Three losses: Donskoy (Dubai), Haas (Stuttgart), Zverev (Montreal).
38 - Zverev and Denis Shapovalov's combined years. They played the youngest ATP semifinal since 2008 Delray Beach with Nishikori vs Querrey. The youngest one in Masters 1000s since Nadal vs Gasquet in 2005 Monte Carlo.
3 - Shapovalov's matches won on the ATP Tour before Rogers Cup. His five opponents faced in the event won 1.464.
76 - Places earned by Shapovalov in the rankings, from No. 143 to 67. He was the lowest-ranked semifinal in Masters 1000s since 2003 Paris Bercy (No. 191 Andrei Pavel).
18 years and 3 months - Shapovalov's age. He became the youngest Masters 1000 semifinalist ever (category was introduced in 1990). He also was the youngest one to beat a top 2 player since 2004 Miami when 17-year-old Nadal defeated Federer.
220.000 - Dollars earned by Shapovalov reaching semifinals. Before Montreal, 197.000 in the whole career.
1 - Masters 1000 semifinals for Robin Haase. His opponent Federer played 59. The Dutch player had reached his first ATP 500 semifinal ever earlier this year in Dubai.
17 - David Ferrer's losses to Roger Federer on 17 matches played. Among players who lost most matches to Federer without winning one, there is also Mikhail Youzhny (16), Jarkko Nieminen (15), Feliciano Lopez (12), Philipp Kohlschreiber (11).
20 - Matches won on hard-courts by Nadal this year and 24 on clay. No one won more than 20 on this surface.
32 - Masters 1000 events played by Adrian Mannarino, who reached his first quarter-final at this tournament' category.
5 - Players who won saving match points: Shapovalov vs Dutra Silva, Schwartzman vs Thiem, Monfils vs Nishikori, Bautista Agut vs Monfils, A. Zverev vs Gasquet.
4 - Unseeded players who played and lost Masters 1000 semifinals this year: Fognini (Miami), Cuevas (Monte Carlo), Isner (Rome), Shapovalov (Montreal).

Alexander Zverev on winning his second consecutive title

“I played well, winning Washington and here. It’s something amazing, back-to-back weeks. I feel great. I feel like I’m playing some of the best tennis of my life.

But, you know, Cincinnati is a very tough draw. I don’t know if I will be able to go far there because I’m a little bit tired. But game-wise and confidence-wise, I’m super happy the way everything is standing.”

Zverev on his quick rise in the rankings

“I mean, the faster the better for me, actually. I don’t mind that I’m winning tournaments. I don’t think anybody would. But, I mean, I feel fine. I’ve been in the Top 10 since Rome. I was outside for a few weeks, but I’m back in it.

I feel like I’m playing the right tennis, good enough tennis to be there. I don’t feel like things are going unnaturally. I think everything is going pretty naturally. Obviously, winning the two Masters 1000 events, anybody would be proud of that and nobody would have expected it, but I’m happy that it happened.”

Roger Federer on his takeaway from Montréal

“It’s positive, nevertheless. The final was a bit unexpected but it continues on a positive note like the rest of the season. Of course, it’s a bit disappointing today because I would have liked to do better and fight more to make the match tighter. But Alex played really well all week. I congratulate him. He deserves the win.”

Federer on rising stars Denis Shapovalov and Alexander Zverev

“I loved watching Denis play. I think he had the matches of the tournament, with all these great three-setters that he had. Especially the one against Rafa. I think he caught the attention of the tennis world, and rightfully so. I really enjoyed watching him.

Alexander has been around for a while now. Not a whole long time. I’m just really happy for him, to see that he’s taking everything not just to the next level but the two next levels, winning two Masters 1000. It’s extremely difficult to win.

It’s a wonderful achievement for him. I wish him the best for the coming months and hope he can finish the season very strong because there are opportunities now.”

Nicolas Mahut on his doubles win with Pierre-Hugues Herbert

“This was the win that gives us confidence because it hinged on so little. They [Rohan Bopana and Ivan Dodig] served well and it was complicated to find solutions but we got off to a good start. What I also really liked is that every time we got into trouble this week, we stuck together and didn’t panic. There were some tough moments against Mike and Bob Bryan but we stayed strong. In the first round also against Jo and Lucas, we dominated and then lost the second set but we came back in the super tiebreaker. It was the same thing again today. In terms of game, in terms of complementarity and attitude on the court, I think we had a really great week.”