NATIONAL BANK OPEN SPONSORS WEIGHT-LOSS DRUG OZEMPIC

The National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto displayed advertising for Ozempic and Wegovy, weight-loss medications, on perimeter boards behind the baseline at Sobeys Stadium during matches this week. The sponsorship prompted online discussion among tennis fans after images of the advertisements circulated on social media. The tournament's official page confirmed a corporate partnership with Ozempic as one of 90 total sponsors for the event, including 24 newly signed for the 2026 edition.

Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide, a medication originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes that has gained prominence for its weight-loss effects by slowing digestion and regulating appetite. Wegovy is the weight-loss formulation of the same drug from the same pharmaceutical company. The medications have become a cultural phenomenon in recent years, appearing in discussions about body image and celebrity weight loss, and their use extends beyond the healthcare industry into corporate sponsorship.

Athletes are traditionally expected to pursue weight loss through natural means and typically avoid weight-loss medications. Serena Williams publicly discussed using GLP-1 medication for weight loss, an approach that remains divisive within professional tennis, with many participants unconvinced of its appropriateness in sport. The regulatory and ethical status of these drugs within competitive athletics remains unresolved.