ATP Tour Continues Global Tour Suspension Through July 2020
ATLANTA, GA May 15, 2020 – The ATP Tour announced today that tour suspension will continue through the end of July due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. As a result, the 2020 edition of the Truist Atlanta Open will not take place as scheduled. The event was to run July 25 - August 2 at Atlantic Station.
The ATP has been closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation related to COVID-19, taking advice from medical experts and advisors along with consulting with all local regulatory authorities. Professional tennis events around the world since March have been suspended. In Georgia, major leagues and events like The Masters, Peachtree Road Race and MLB, NBA, and MLS have been moved to later in 2020 or to 2021.
“The health and safety of everyone associated with tennis, the ATP Tour and the Truist Atlanta Open is paramount as we navigate the ongoing health crisis and coronavirus pandemic,” stated Eddie Gonzalez, Truist Atlanta Open Tournament Director. “Our thoughts are with everyone around the world that is being affected by COVID-19.”
Gonzalez added that the organization, and ownership group GF Sports & Entertainment, remain committed to making a difference in the Atlanta community. “We will continue to work with our partners to help make a positive impact on our community during these difficult times. As well, our team is now shifting focus to our 2021 event, where we hope to provide a unique and exciting experience for sports and tennis fans.” The 2021 Truist Atlanta Open is scheduled for July 24 - August 1, 2021.
Gonzalez praised the work of the tournament’s staff, volunteers and partners throughout the lead up to the event. “The Truist Atlanta Open wouldn’t be possible every year without the support of so many organizations and people. I’d like to thank our partners, patrons and volunteers for all they do to make this one of the best events in Atlanta each summer. As well, on behalf of the staff at the Truist Atlanta Open and all our partners, we wish safety and good health to you, your families and tennis enthusiasts everywhere.”
Earlier this year the event underwent a name change from BB&T Atlanta Open to Truist Atlanta Open as the popular Midtown Atlanta event was set to celebrate its 10th Anniversary. A new “10th Anniversary” logo also debuted. The Truist Atlanta Open is one of the 10 ATP Tour events in the United States, and annually takes place at Atlantic Station in Midtown. The Truist Atlanta Open is also part of the US Open Series.
All ticket holders will be contacted directly by our team, who can be reached via tickets@atlantaopentennis.com.
About the Truist Atlanta Open
The Truist Atlanta Open is held each year in July in Atlantic Station and is one of the summer tournaments in the US Open Series. The tournament features men’s top world tennis players in singles and doubles competition. Approximately 40,000 fans attend the tournament and bring an estimated economic impact of $10.3 million to Atlanta. Alex de Minaur won the 2019 title and Amerian John Isner won the 2018 singles championship as well as the 2017, 2015, 2014 and 2013 titles. Andy Roddick won his last ATP World Tour title when he defeated Gilles Muller at the 2012 BB&T Atlanta Open. Mardy Fish holds the title for 2011 and 2010. With 275 years of combined BB&T and SunTrust history, Truist is one of the nation's largest financial services holding companies offering a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending and wealth management.
About the US Open Series
The US Open Series serves as a true “regular season” of summer tennis in North America, linking nine summer WTA and ATP Tour tournaments to the US Open. Featuring a cohesive weekly schedule, the Series centralizes the way tennis is viewed in North America, across multiple television and digital platforms. Fans will see today's top champions go head-to-head with tomorrow's emerging stars, as storylines develop throughout the summer season. Each tournament also engages its local community with a variety of outreach initiatives, including grass-roots youth tennis clinics and activities.
About GF Sports
GF Sports is a live events and sports media entertainment company created by New York-based private equity firm GF Capital Management & Advisors, LLC. Formed in July 2015, GF Sports owns two of the ATP Tour's longest running American tournaments, the New York Open and the Truist Atlanta Open, as well as the New York National Lacrosse League team the New York Riptide. In addition, GF Sports is partnered with the American Kennel Club (AKC), the leading registry and governing body of canine events in the United States, to further develop and expand the AKC Meet the Breeds® event platform. GF Sports also incubates new and emerging sport concepts utilizing its global expertise and network to help develop niche sports. Such concepts include Wolf Pack Ninjas, which operates ninja-focused events globally.
About The ATP
The ATP is the governing body of the men's professional tennis circuits - the ATP Tour, the ATP Challenger Tour and the ATP Champions Tour. With 63 tournaments in 30 countries, the ATP Tour showcases the finest male athletes competing in the world’s most exciting venues. From Australia to Europe and the Americas to Asia, the stars of the 2020 ATP Tour will battle for prestigious titles and ATP Rankings points at ATP Masters 1000, 500 and 250 events, as well as Grand Slams (non ATP events). At the end of the season only the world’s top 8 qualified singles players and doubles teams will qualify to compete for the last title of the season at the Nitto ATP Finals. Held at The O2 in London, the event will officially crown the 2020 ATP Tour No. 1. For more information, please visit www.ATPTour.com.
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For more information, contact:
Rick Limpert, Media and Communications Manager, Truist Atlanta Open
rlimpert@gfsportsholdings.com
Becky Robinson for Truist Atlanta Open
678.516.2669
becky@chatterhousecommunications.com