5-Time Champ Isner, Bryans, Tiafoe Return, Auger-Aliassime Makes Atlanta Debut
Get Tickets for Venus Williams/Madison Keys, Roddick/Ginepri Matches
Among the Announcements Made at 2019 BB&T Atlanta Open Media Day
ATLANTA, June 11, 2019 – Five-time BB&T Atlanta Open singles champion, John Isner, also a former University of Georgia All-American, will return to Atlanta and Atlantic Station for the 2019 edition of the event, to be held July 20 - 28, 2019. Isner will be joined by Canadian up and comer, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and the Bryan Brothers.
BB&T Atlanta Open Tournament Director Eddie Gonzalez made these announcements at BB&T Atlanta Open Media Day on June 11.
Isner is coming off his most successful year in 2018, and a fast start to 2019, before being sidelined with an injury for the entire clay court season.
"Obviously I love to play in Georgia and to compete at the BB&T Atlanta Open where I feel at home and have had so much success,” stated Isner. “I can’t wait to get back on court at Atlantic Station in front of all those supportive tennis and Bulldog fans.”
The current ATP World Tour No. 11 is now shooting for something rare and special: winning the same title six times. Isner holds a career mark of 31-4 in Atlanta and is looking to join the ranks of Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors as the fifth American to win an ATP World Tour title on six occasions.
Tennis fans in the South will be treated to the first appearance by a fast-rising Canadian teenager in Felix Auger-Aliassime. The 18-year old who turned pro in 2017 is up to a career high No. 21 in the current rankings. He reached the finals earlier this year in Rio and Lyon, along with the semis at Miami, losing to Isner.
“Atlanta tennis fans are in for a treat with the exciting Felix Auger-Aliassime making his debut in the BB&T Atlanta Open,” stated Gonzalez.
"I'm looking forward to starting my summer in Atlanta," said Auger-Aliassime. "I've heard so many positive things about Atlanta and this event. I can't wait to experience it for myself."
Filling out the initial entry list are Americans Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, Reilly Opelka and Denis Kudla. They join a new mix of young upstarts and current ATP World Tour top-60 players for the 2019 event.
Gonzalez loves to call the BB&T Atlanta Open a “Mini U.S. Open” and that again is evident in 2019 when Venus WIlliams, winner of seven Grand Slam singles titles, takes on former US Open finalist, Madison Keys, in a special "Sunday Showdown” on July 21.
Both players have had a chance to experience the BB&T Atlanta Open over the last two years, and Venus is excited to get back.
“I’m really looking forward to playing Madison on Stadium Court in Atlanta,” said Williams. “I had such a great time playing in Atlanta in 2017 and I am excited to play this showcase event to kick off the 2019 BB&T Atlanta Open.”
Andy Roddick is also coming back to Atlanta. He won his first and final ATP World Tour event in Atlanta, and tennis fans have one more chance to show their appreciation for this champion. On Monday night, June 22, Roddick takes on former rival and metro Atlanta resident, Robby Ginepri.
The 2019 singles field features four top-25 players. No. 23, Diego Schwartzman of Argentina makes his Atlanta debut, and Aussie, Alex de Minaur, returns to the BB&T Atlanta Open.
Subject to change, here is the 2019 BB&T Atlanta entry list (the ATP World Tour rank is the number in the left hand column):
2019 BB&T Atlanta Open Entry List With Cut Off Date of 6/10/19
List subject to change
11 Isner, John, USA
21 Auger-Aliassime, Felix CAN
23 Schwartzman, Diego ARG
24 de Minaur, Alex AUS
35 Tiafoe, Frances USA
40 Albot, Radu MDA ;
41 Fritz, Taylor USA
45 Herbert, Pierre-Hugues FRA
50 Norrie, Cameron GBR
54 Hurkacz, Hubert POL
56 Millman, John AUS
61 Opelka, Reilly USA
62 Thompson, Jordan AUS
64 Humbert, Ugo FRA
66 Ebden, Matthew AUS
70 Evans, Daniel GBR
80 Copil, Marius ROU
83 Kecmanovic, Miomir SRB
84 Kudla, Denis USA
*Doubles teams will be announced at a later date.
Play begins on Saturday, July 20, with the singles qualifying draw.
Media Day also put the spotlight on some of the supportive tournament partners and sponsors, the new location at Atlantic Station, as well as The Giving Kitchen as the charity partner.
Media Day is also a chance to introduce new partners. First Data, a global leader in commerce-enabling technology and solutions, has been announced as a presenting sponsor.
“We are excited to announce a presenting sponsor to our 2019 event in First Data,” stated Gonzalez. “It’s a sign of positive growth and momentum of our BB&T Atlanta Open as we have the addition of new corporate partners.”
Companies like First Data align perfectly with the BB&T Atlanta Open and how they interact with the community.
"First Data is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2019 BB&T Atlanta Open,” said Chris Foskett, Executive Vice President, Head of Corporate and Business Development, First Data. “We have a strong connection to the city of Atlanta and are committed to supporting great events like the BB&T Atlanta Open for the Atlanta community."
Speakers, including Heath Campbell of BB&T, took the stage to explain how the BB&T Atlanta fits perfectly with the message they are trying to convey. Other speakers were from Cigna and Atlantic Station. Players Robby Ginepri and Cole Gromley were present at Media Day and met with reporters.
The new tournament venue, just steps from the previous entrance, will offer more shade and air conditioning, more space for activations and suite location closer to court - just five rows from the action. Every seat in the stadium is close to the court and sight lines are some of the best in tennis. All week long there will be sponsor activities, player autograph sessions and delicious food and drink to go along with special events - like Kid’s Day, College Night, Military Appreciation Night, and more.
Tournament Facts
- Main Draw cutoff this year is No. 84
- 2018 cutoff was No. 94
- Number of different countries represented in the Singles Main Draw entry list this year – 10
- Number of Americans in initial entry list – 5
- Number of different countries represented in 2018 BB&T Atlanta Open (Singles and Doubles) - 23
John Isner
The current ATP World Tour No. 11, is now shooting for something rare and special. Winning the same title six times. Isner holds a career mark of 31-4 in Atlanta and is looking to join the ranks of Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors as the fifth American to win an ATP World Tour title on six occasions.
Felix Auger-Aliassime - Canada
The 18-year old who turned pro in 2017 is up to a career high No. 21 in the current rankings. He reached the finals earlier this year in Rio and Lyon, along with the semis at Miami, losing to Isner.
Diego Schwartzman – Argentina
He has won two ATP singles titles, and reached his career-high singles ranking of world No. 11 on June 11, 2018. Standing at just 5’7”, he is known for his high-quality return game.
Frances Tiafoe – USA
The 21-year old American has a career-high ranking of No. 29 in the world. He won his first ATP title at the 2018 Delray Beach Open. He earned his first ATP World Tour level win in Atlanta in the qualifying draw in 2015.
Reilly Opelka -USA
Former BB&T Atlanta Open semifinalist. Won his first ATP World Tour title earlier this year at The New York Open.
The Bryans
118 career titles. No. 3 doubles team on the 2019 Race to London Two BB&T Atlanta Open titles. 8-0 career mark as a team at the BB&T.
Venus and Madison
They have played 4 times on tour with each player winning 2 matches. Last meeting was 2016 in Montreal with Keys winning.
Cole Gromley – Georgia Tech – College Night
The 6’3” native of Norcross, Ga., just completed his first year with the Yellow Jacket tennis team.
He was 12-9 in singles for the Jackets this season, playing every singles spot at some point. He was 5-10 in doubles action for 2018-19.
He was a five-star recruit and the No. 4 student-athlete in the state of Georgia for the class of 2018. Amassed an overall record of 24-8 for the last year of junior career, including an impressive 14-1 mark all-time against four-star recruits.
Andy Roddick – Monday Night vs. Robby Ginepri
Former BB&T Atlanta Open champion. Roddick became No. 1 in the world shortly after he won the title at the 2003 US Open defeating French Open champion defeating Juan Carlos Ferreo in the final and overtaking him as the top-ranked player in the process. Three-time Wimbledon finalist, 2006 US Open finalist. Lost all four of those finals to Federer.
Robby Ginepri – Monday Night vs. Andy Roddick
A Georgia resident, Ginepri played 10 years full-time on the ATP World Tour, winning three singles titles in his career.
Ginepri, who reached a career high ATP ranking of No. 15, now coaches on the ATP World Tour. He’s a native of Marietta and reached the semifinals of the 2005 US Open. He reached the fourth round of the other three majors.
He holds wins over Andy Roddick, Juan Carlos Ferrero, James Blake and Marat Safin in a career where he posted almost 200 singles wins.
He is now the founder of the Ginepri Performance Academy in Marietta, developing top tennis player.
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