Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame to induct doubles superstar Nestor

TORONTO — Canadian tennis star Daniel Nestor will be getting much more than a traditional sendoff for his final Rogers Cup appearance this summer.

The doubles veteran will be inducted into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame and get the celebratory roast treatment during a gala fundraising event at Roy Thomson Hall on the eve of the ATP Masters Series 1000 tournament.

“We are honoured to induct Daniel at this fantastic event,” Hall chair Robert Bettauer said in a release. “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.”

Nestor, 45, turned pro in 1991 and made a name for himself the following year when he stunned top-ranked Stefan Edberg in a five-set Davis Cup thriller in Vancouver. The Toronto resident later focused on the doubles game and went on to win an incredible 91 titles and had 10 stints as a world No. 1.

Nestor has earned US$12.8 million in prize money over his career and won a whopping 1,062 doubles matches.

“I have been fortunate to have such a long and successful career,” Nestor said. “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.”

Nestor won Olympic gold with Sebastien Lareau at the 2000 Sydney Games.

In 2009, Nestor became the first player — in singles or doubles — to win a title at all four Grand Slams and all nine ATP Masters 1000 events.