WOZNIACKI AND ISNER LEAD EARLY COMMITMENTS TO 2016 CITI OPEN
Rising American stars Taylor Fritz and Reilly Opelka also committed to play
WASHINGTON (Feb. 21, 2016) —Top American John Isner and former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki lead the early commitments to play at the 2016 Citi Open® Tennis Tournament, to be held July 16-24, 2016 at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.
The 48th edition of the Capital Tennis Tradition, benefiting the Washington Tennis & Educatiton Foundation (WTEF), features Isner returning to D.C. after a thrilling run to the finals during last year’s Citi Open. The top American on the ATP World Tour at No. 11 is a three-time finalist at the tournament — 2009, 2013, and 2015. A fan favorite, Isner holds 10 career singles titles and started 2016 with an impressive run to the Round of 16 at the Australian Open.
The 2016 Citi Open also features the Washington debut of Wozniacki, a two-time U.S. Open finalist with 23 career singles titles. Earlier this month, the Danish Olympic Committee chose her to be Denmark’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Wozniacki is currently featured in the pages of this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, marking her second consecutive appearance.
“It’s going to be another thrilling year at the Citi Open, and we love offering our fans a mixture of marquee players who support the tournament year after year, such as John, and exciting new players like Caroline as well,” said Jeff Newman, tournament director.
Two rising American stars, Taylor Fritz and Reilly Opelka have also committed to play. Fritz, 18, won the 2015 U.S Open junior title and most recently played in the Memphis Open finals against 2015 Citi Open champion Kei Nishikori. Opelka, also 18, won the 2015 Wimbledon boys’ singles title.
Ticket package sales for the tournament will open March 14 with proceeds benefiting WTEF, the tournament’s nonprofit owner and beneficiary. The organization provides underserved children in the D.C.-area with a safe environment to learn critical life skills both on and off the courts through academic and athletic enrichment.
The Citi Open® Tennis Tournament is one of only 13 elite ATP World Tour 500-level events worldwide and the only one held in the United States. The tournament also features a WTA International Tournament, which provides fans the opportunity to watch simultaneous competitions of both world-class men’s and women’s tennis throughout the nine-day event. It is one of only four U.S. tournaments that include both men’s and women’s fields. Main draw matches of the tournament will be broadcast on Tennis Channel.
For more information, visit www.citiopentennis.com, or follow the Citi Open on www.facebook.com/citiopen, @CitiOpen on Twitter, or CitiOpen on Instagram. The Citi Open® Tennis Tournament is a Lagardère Sports production, and is a registered service mark of its title sponsor Citigroup Inc.
—S. Pegarido
Tennis Atlantic 