While he won’t be playing, his majesty Roger Federer will be present at the fifth edition of the event that he and super agent Tony Godsick founded in 2018: the Laver Cup. The 20-time Grand Slam champion will take to the “black court” — the competition’s signature surface — to commemorate the one-year anniversary of his last competitive match. But to see Roger, fans have to stay until the very last match of the last day. He’ll also stick around for a Q&A with Jim Courier, the first person to interview Roger after Ellie Goulding serenaded his departing moments at London’s O2 arena last year. So far, Roger’s last doubles partner, Rafael Nadal, remains mum on his commitment to Team Europe. But Russian-born Andrey Rublev (ATP No. 6) Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime (ATP No. 9) and Americans Taylor Fritz (ATP No. 10) and Frances Tiafoe (ATP No. 12) will be there, fresh off the U.S. Open. Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe have committed to captain Teams Europe and World, respectively.
GO ALONG
Here’s an idea! How about going along to the final day to see Fed in the flesh? Drop shot your details below and our concierge will help you procure tickets.
The rogers arena
Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club
Since all courts at Roger’s Arena (ahem… we’ve renamed it for the event) are spoken for, the nearby Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club (VCLT & BC) is the next best place to hit a few balls. Founded in 1897 — when the city of Vancouver was barely on the map — the VCLT & BC provided a home for the pioneers of both Van City and Canadian Racquet Sports. Originally located in the West End, the club first featured grass and cinder courts, in addition to a croquet lawn — as was fashionable in the day. In 1914, The Club moved to land bought from the Canadian Pacific Railway and added nine tennis courts and four grass courts, expanding again in 1970 with indoor and “roof” tennis courts. Guests are welcome at the club, but like many other historic clubs, each article of visible clothing, excluding shoes, may not have more than 10 percent colour, including hats and warm-up suits — not especially sporting for a city also known as Raincouver.
If you’re looking for a playing partner in Van City, we can hook you up! Just drop your details below and our concierge team will be in touch.
MUST SEE IN Vancouver
Roger couldn’t have asked for a better place to hold a tennis tournament than Roger’s Arena. Located near everything interesting in Van City, some quick attractions include the Marine Building, an exquisite Art-Deco stand-in for superhero comic book skyscrapers, such as the Baxter Building in two Fantastic Four films and Superman’s The Daily Planet, as well as the Gastown Steam Clock, one of the world’s few working steam clocks in the Victorian Gastown district.
When not playing a scavenger hunt to find a seat in the vast array of Rogers, the VanDusen Garden’s Elizabethan Hedge Maze — made out of 3,000 pyramidal cedars — provides potentially endless entertainment. It’s located in VanDusen Botanical Garden. And if the seemingly never ending rain keeps falling, the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coastal Art features traditional and contemporary art from First Nations and other cultures.
SHOP
For a hit of retail therapy, Vancouver has all the iconic Canadian brands (Canada Goose, Roots, Reigning Champ, Herschel Supply Co., Hudson’s Bay Company, Sorel and Raised By Wolves) at several shopping centres in the city, most notably the CF Pacific Center or in Gastown.
A stroll down Robson Street is another sure bet for an afternoon paroozing the city’s high end boutiques. Lastly, nothing beats the Granville Island Public Market for some tasty Canadian cheese, bread and meats over a glass of red.
Eat, drink and BE merry
In Vancouver, Indian food is otherwise known as Indigenous food, and Van City has the best native places in the North American Northwest. Renowned for its contemporary Native cuisine, Salmon n’ Bannock “feeds your spirit” with organic and free range game meats, as well as fresh vegetables and Bannock, a pan-fried Indigenous bread made with basic pantry staples. Salmon n’ Bannock is situated on territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh, who also comprise the majority of its staff.
AnnaLena received its Michelin star last October for its monthly tasting menus (called “chapters”) carefully constructed with a focus on local artisanal products, including, walla walla onions from Klippers Organics in Cawston, and steelhead trout from Lois Lake.
Situated along the Burrard Inlet next to Canada Place, Miku Waterfront first introduced Aburi-style cuisine to Vancouver in 2008 by combining light Japanese blow torch searing with fresh Pacific Northwest fish and other flavours. After dinner, cruise Granville Street downtown or Gastown’s cobblestone streets for a night cap, where the Shameful Tiki Room offers Polynesian flair and exotic cocktails.
SLEEP
Vancouver is the second most expensive city in Canada and the cost of living is relatively high, so the Canadian dollar doesn’t stretch as far as in other Western cities. Yet, look hard enough and value for price is around the corner. The Rosewood Hotel Georgia, a historic and opulent hotel in the heart of downtown, is a short walk from renowned Stanley Park, art galleries, world-class museums, boutiques and the city’s finest dining, including its own, Hawksworth Restaurant. Plus, book two nights and the third is free.
The Opus Hotel is a chic boutique hotel in Yaletown known for its vibrant design, excellent service, and proximity to trendy bars and shops. The Loden Hotel focuses on wellness and sustainability, including complimentary town cruiser bicycles and a nightly turndown service.
Lastly, the Burrard is a converted motor hotel from 1956 that exudes character from every joist, railing and sightline. It also features extras like free WiFi, Nespresso machines in all 72 rooms, and an insider city guide.
All Court Tennis Club partners with luxury resorts and hotels around the world, providing members with unique benefits such as preferential rates and perks. If you’d like to become a complimentary member of the All Court Tennis Club (and we’d certainly like that!) visit our membership page here.
