2018 marks the eighth year for the internationally known ATP tennis tournament, The Winston-Salem Open! This year it will be August 18-25, 2018, at the recently renovated grounds of Wake Forest University’s tennis facility. 2018 ticket sales started June 4, 2018.
The winner of the 2017 championship was Roberto Bautista Agut who returned with his eye on the prize after finishing as the runner up in 2016. Big name tennis stars who signed up to play in 2017 included Sam Querrey (Wimbledon semi-finalist, USA), Steve Johnson (USA), John Isner (two-time WS Open champ, ranked 18 in the world, American and Triad native), Kevin Anderson (former WS Open champ), Pablo Carreno Busta (ranked 14th in the world), Gilles Simon, Ryan Harrison (USA), Nicolas Mahut, Marcos Baghdatis, Pablo Cuevas, Fernando Verdasco, Donald Young (USA), Alexandr Dolgopolov, and Yen-Hsun Lu, among others. Be sure to keep a close watch on these up and coming youngsters – Daniil Medvedev and Hyeon Chung. They have recently upset some big name players and are working hard to make their own mark. Players have not yet been announced for 2018.
Triad-native and top American, John Isner was also back for the 2017 tournament! This is great news because he is a local and he is the original King of the Winston-Salem Open, having won the first two years championship crown. However, he canceled in recent years due to injuries and desire to rest before the U.S. Open, which starts the following week. Isner is also a local who grew up in nearby Greensboro, NC, and his family still calls the Triad home, so he gets to enjoy some of his mom’s home cooking during the tournament.
PowerShares Legends: Andy Roddick, James Blake, Mardy Fish, and Michael Chang
The PowerShares Legends Series made its Winston-Salem premier at the 2016 Open at the Wake Forest tennis complex and featured tennis from great legends including Andy Roddick, James Blake, Jim Courier, and Mark Philippoussis. This year’s PowerShares event features Andy Roddick, James Blake, Michael Chang and a fourth player yet to be announced. Blake won in 2017 and Philippoussis won in 2016!
The event boasts three matches – two semis and one final (one set each). The PowerShare Series is a 30+ year tennis circuit for veteran players – it takes place annually in 12 U.S. cities and Winston-Salem is proud to be added to the mix! James Blake was the 2016 winner of the series and Andy Roddick took the series in 2015. This event is yet another reason to add the Winston-Salem Open to your calendar this year!
By Michelle Schenker Courtesy of MyWinston-salem