2010 News Archive
Atlanta Tennis Championships opens with gusto
Fans undeterred by threatening weather; tickets still available
7/19/2010
Despite threats of rain, the Atlanta Tennis Championships aced its opening day of action Saturday with 1,500 spectators packing the stands in the first day of qualifying.
Tournament organizers allowed military personnel, police and firefighters to attend the opening weekend for free. During qualifying 32 players battle for four remaining spots on the bracket. The competition begins in earnest Monday. To check the schedule of events, visit www.atlantatennischampionships.com.
The Atlanta Tennis Championships is drawing some big names from across the world, including No. 9 Andy Roddick, John Isner, who played a marathon three-day match at Wimbledon last month, two-time Grand Slam singles champion Lleyton Hewitt, and 2009 ATP Newcomer of the Year Horacio Zeballos of Argentina. Other luminaries include Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia, Mardy Fish, Xavier Malisse of Belgium and Benjamin Becker of Germany.
Daily tickets are available for each of the 11 sessions in the East and West Grandstands. Tickets can be purchased for the day, for multiple days, or for the week. For more information, visit www.atlantatennischampionships.com/TicketsTravel/Tickets.
The Atlanta Tennis Championships, to be broadcast on ESPN2 and the Tennis Channel, will feature a 28-player singles draw and 16-team doubles draw. Players in the tournament, who are ranked 19 to 93 in the world, are competing for a share of $600,000 in prize money.
The men's winners from 16 US Open National Playoffs Qualifying Tournaments, including the Atlanta Tennis Championship, will battle for one spot in the 2010 US Open Qualifying Tournament in Flushing, N.Y.
The tournament is expected to bring in 7,000 spectators a day, which civic leaders hope will bring lots of additional business to Johns Creek, particularly restaurants. Motorists along Medlock Bridge should expect some delays, especially later in the week.
The event also will offer concessions and music.
Parking will be available across Medlock Bridge Road from the Atlanta Athletic Club.