Kyrgios, young Americans have Atlanta Open fans humming with excitement

Atlanta has long been Nick Kyrgios country, but his run to the Wimbledon final and 2021 finalist Brandon Nakashima’s surprise fourth-round result at the All-England Club have fans in Georgia particularly eager for this year’s event.

I’m in Atlanta again for another edition of the Atlanta Open — the start of the U.S. Open series and the kick-off to the summer North American hard court swing.

There is something a little different here this year, a palpable buzz in the air already that I can hear even over my best Wicked-Witch-of-the-West impression: “I’m mmeeellllttttiiinngggg!” (It’s hot. Liquid cheese scorching the roof of your mouth hot).

Certainly, Nick Kyrgios’ out-of-nowhere run to the Wimbledon final has stoked intense fan interest. Atlantans are Kyrgios people and have been since he won the event back in 2016. Fans line up in the upper deck of the parking garage at the venue to catch a glimpse of the Aussie having a hit during practice sessions and at least half the fan chatter I’ve overheard so far contains the word “Nick.”

But it’s more than that.

There is a crop of young Americans making noise on tour of late. Although original entrant Taylor Fritz withdrew from the event last week, there is still plenty of US talent on the docket. In additional to perennial Atlanta favorite John Isner and top seed Reilly Opelka, Jenson Brooksby, Brandon Nakashima and Sebastian Korda are all here this week.

Kyrgios has an impending court date in Australia on August 2 on a common assault charge, believed to be related a December 2021 incident with former girlfriend Chiara Passari. Distraction may well be a factor this week for the fan favorite, but even if it is, there are plenty of players to delight fans.

Nakashima, who made the final in Atlanta last year, had a breakthrough run at Wimbledon last month, where he upset 2021 semifinalist Denis Shapovalov en route to the round of 16. And Korda, who has been out with shin splints since Eastbourne (and missed Wimbledon), is back in action.

The Atlanta Open is a fine start to the summer hard-court swing.