Atlanta Open – Fan-friendly Hotlanta boasts a strong Fritz-led field

Despite no Nick Kyrgios in the draw this year, the Atlanta Open has plenty to keep heat-impervious fans happy for the week–including top seed Taylor Fritz, an appearance by Gael Monfils, and popular Americans Ben Shelton and Chris Eubanks.

I have once again made my annual trek to enjoy the various enticements of Atlanta in July — which is to say I withstand the heat and humidity for a chance to participate in one of my favorite live events of the year. For real. North America’s handful of 250-level events offers the opportunity to meet, greet, and observe the next crop of up-and-coming players in a far more accessible way than any major could provide.

Sure, there is no Novak Djokovic or Daniil Medevedev; but top American Taylor Fritz is here this year. And it sure does provide a chance to pull out the old “I knew him when” stories.

Last year, for example, the Atlanta Open was Ben Shelton’s first ever professional tournament. I sensed immediately that the young NCAA champion was poised to be a big story (read my piece here). Six months later, he made his way to the quarterfinals of his first Australian Open.

There is always a story here in Atlanta.

Sometimes that story has been Nick Kyrgios, in whatever capacity he’s producing news at the time. Sometimes it’s the NCAA champion winning his first tour-level match and charming everyone around him. This year it feels like it’s going to be Chris Eubanks, who shocked everyone (including me) by storming his way to stardom during the grass-court season. We shall see. But whatever else is happening, there IS always a story here.

On Monday evening, Gael Monfils will take the court in an ATP match for the first time since withdrawing from the French Open with a wrist injury. He participated in a UTS (Ultimate Tennis Showdown) league event in Los Angeles on the weekend and the Frenchman has reported feeling confidence in his wrist after his league play in L.A. He will take on Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first evening session in Hotlanta.

Should the world No. 322 get some match wins this week, that would be a story, too. After all, there is no rule that says there can only be ONE big story, right?