The BB&T Atlanta Open, which will take place in early August during the U.S. Open Series, announced its player field on Tuesday. It is headlined, as expected, by three-time defending champion John Isner–who has reached the final five times in six appearances.
Only once in the tournament’s six-year history has Isner failed to reach the title match, and even then he advanced to the semis in 2012 before falling to eventual winner Andy Roddick in three sets.
While Isner, a Greensboro, N.C. native and former University of Georgia star, is the biggest name among local fans, Nick Kyrgios will arguably be the most famous player in the draw. Making his first appearance in Atlanta, Kyrgios registers at 18th in the world–but his notoriety far exceeds his ranking.
“He has an edge,” tournament director Eddie Gonzalez said of the 21-year-old Australian. “He wears his heart on his sleeve, and he lets you know what he’s thinking and feeling. I think that’s great for tennis.”
Among others in the lineup are Kevin Anderson, Alexandr Dolgopolov, Borna Coric, Fernando Verdasco, fast-rising American Taylor Fritz, and Atlanta’s own Donald Young.
So far two wild cards have been given to Americans Reilly Opelka, the 2015 Wimbledon junior champion, and Austin Smith, who recently led Georgia to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.
The rest of the field:
solid
It’s gonna be epic. I live in ATL and went every day last year and this year the tourney is during my first week of school. I’m still gonna go for night sessions and get out early one day maybe two. I gotta see NK play. Gosh Coric Fritz kyrgios Isner Paire. That’s an awesome lineup. I wanna see all those guys play live. And I can witness at least one epic racket smash from Paire especially if he loses.
Paire? You mean Pouille?
It says Paire is playing too on the tournament website.
Here’s the list on the website: http://www.bbtatlantaopen.com/news/2016_player_field_announced/
wow. Some missed Paire on the previous list.
And opelka and rampras too?? Yes!!
Benny,
Your enthusiasm is contagious! I hope you get to see some great matches!
Also a Paire racket smash! 🙂
And Verdasco too. Just awesome. I wish I could go the whole time again. I wanna see the first match for all these dudes to be honest cuz I don’t want one to lose early or something. Only thing I’m sad about is no muller. He was really fun to watch there last year.
Kyrgios: gag. I’ll stay home before I risk contributing to that punk’s prize money.