Tennis Atlantic

Stacked: @CitiOpen With Big Guns Out for 49th Birthday of DC’s Pro Tournament

World No. 8 Dominic Thiem and ATP Next Gen Leader Alexander Zverev headline Men’s Field; World No. 12 Kristina Mladenovic and 2016 Finalist Lauren Davis lead WTA roster

Daria Kasatkina (Photo: Tony Callaio)

WASHINGTON (June 20, 2017) — The 2017 Citi Open® Tennis Tournament boasts one of its strongest men’s and women’s fields in its 49-year history with the announcement of its world-class roster. Collectively, the international fields, representing 26 countries worldwide, account for two Grand Slam singles titles, six Grand Slam finals, 111 ATP/WTA singles titles, including one former World No. 1.

Nick Kyrgios, one of the ATP World Tour’s most electrifying players, will make his Citi Open debut this summer, while top American Jack Sock returns to the DC hard courts for the fifth time. The field showcases five of the top ten ATP Next Gen players, with Hyeon Chung, Daniil Medvedev, Jared Donaldson, and Casper Ruud along with previously announced Alexander Zverev. Other players to watch include South African Kevin Anderson, Americans Steve Johnson, Ryan Harrison and Donald Young, Great Britain’s Kyle Edmund and Daniel Evans, Australian Bernard Tomic, and 2014 Citi Open finalist Vasek Pospisil. They join three-time Citi Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, defending champion Gael Monfils, and three-time Citi Open finalist John Isner.

In addition, Mike and Bob Bryan, the winningest doubles team in ATP history, owners of a record 112 titles, have confirmed their participation. The full doubles field is expected the week of July 17.

Belinda Bencic & Kiki Mladenovic (Photo: Chris Levy @Tennis_Shots)

On the women’s side, Kristina Mladenovic, who recently reached a career-high ranking of WTA World No. 12, joins the Citi Open field after reaching the French Open quarterfinals. Former U.S. Open champion Samantha Stosur and 2016 Citi Open finalist Lauren Davis will also return to the tournament this summer. Daria Kasatkina, who won her first career WTA singles title this year and defeated current WTA World No. 1 Angelique Kerber twice this year, will make her Citi Open debut. Other players to watch who will be joining Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig and Canadian starlet Eugenie Bouchard are 2013 Citi Open finalist Andrea Petkovic, 2014 Citi Open finalist Kurumi Nara, 2013 Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki, Americans Christina McHale and Shelby Rogers, Former WTA World No. 1 Jelena Jankovic and 2012 French Open finalist Sara Errani.

“This is a phenomenal field. The depth on both the men’s and women’s side speaks volumes about the growth of this Tournament,” said Keely O’Brien, Tournament Director. “I’m thrilled that our fans will get to see these stars compete in our backyard in just a few short weeks. The field will continue to evolve up until the start the tournament, so fans should stay tuned for more exciting additions in the coming weeks.”

Single session tickets, weeklong packages and other ticket plans are on sale now at http://www.citiopentennis.com or by calling the hotline 202.721.9500. Each ticket provides fans access to the action on all six courts, with both men’s and women’s matches, for as many as 24 matches per session. Tickets to gain admission to the tournament’s signature events, including tailgate events, a cocktail challenge, and the first-ever Citi Open Kickoff Party are also on the website.

The Citi Open Tennis Tournament benefits underserved and low-income kids in the D.C. community through the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation. It is one of only 13 elite ATP World Tour 500-level events worldwide and the only one at this level held in the United States. The tournament represents a WTA International event and having both ATP and WTA players 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 five U.S. tournaments that include both men’s and women’s fields. Main draw matches of the tournament will be broadcast starting Monday, July 31, on Tennis Channel.

—S. Pegarido, Citi Open