Defending champ Taylor Fritz to headline Delray Open
What’s not to like about a prestigious tennis tournament in Delray Beach’s backyard that features local winners and vendors, entertainment and hospitality?
Expect more of the same as the 32nd annual Delray Beach Open returns from Feb. 9-18, 2024.
It’s the only tournament in the world featuring an ATP Champions Tour event and an ATP Tour event in the same week at the same venue, the Delray Beach Stadium and Tennis Center, 201 W. Atlantic Ave. The ATP Tour’s first North American hard court event of the outdoor season is one of just 10 ATP Tour events in the United States.
The three-day, ATP Champions Tour event is in its 15th year and was the first ATP Champions Tour event played on U.S. soil.
“South Florida is such a hotbed for tennis, with so many pro players living or training here,” said tournament director Mark Baron. “We’re thrilled to welcome back Palm Beach County resident Tommy Paul.
“Our returning champion, Taylor Fritz, has lived and trained in Miami, and our doubles champion the past two years, Marcelo Arevalo and Jean-Julien Rojer, live in South Florida and had their families here,” he said. “We’re glad to see that Delray resident and past champion Reilly Opelka is on the comeback trail from injury. Once our entry list comes out in mid-January, I’m sure there will be other players who can sleep at home during the tournament.”
Baron said the tournament has served as a launching pad for players just starting out over the years.
“As an ATP 250 tournament, we get to see many up-and-coming players,” he said. “Future No. 1 players like Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt and Patrick Rafter, future Top 5 players like Juan Martin Del Potro and Kei Nishikori, who announced himself on the tour here in Delray winning his first title here as an 18-year-old qualifier in 2008.
“Taylor Fritz moved up to No. 5 after winning the title last year but first played this tournament in 2016 when he was ranked No. 102,” Baron said. “Tommy Paul won the USTA Boys Clay Court National Championships here in 2013 and 2014, and now he is No. 13 in the world. Of course, last year’s local sensation, Matija Pecotic, qualified for his first ATP Tour main draw at age 33 while working a full-time job.”
Some players return year after year, including Fritz and Sam Querrey, who played in the tournament 12 times, winning in 2016 and is back this year to play the Legends event along with 2006 champion Tommy Haas, who played nine times. Six-time doubles champs Bob and Mike Bryan still come back every year to play the Legends event on opening weekend.
The Legends event coincides with qualifying for the ATP 250 tournament, while the singles and doubles main draw action starts Feb. 12 and concludes with the finals on Feb. 18.
New in 2024, the tournament is adding a Burgers, Bourbon & Brew party and Championship Weekend Brunches to the list of on-site special events that include Ladies’ Day Luncheons, Tacos, Tequila & Tennis, and the Ultimate Pairing event – Game, Set, Pour, as well as USTA Florida Kids Day, Pride Night, Senior Day specials and group discounts.
The tournament annually plays in front of more than 60,000 fans in addition to reaching television audiences in more than 100 countries for 10 days.
“Between our player field, the expansion of our hospitality area and new parties, we really can’t wait for the tournament,” Baron said. “Ticket sales are very strong. We are happy to still be providing a world-class tennis event for the people of Delray Beach that gets better every year.”
Visit yellowtennisball.com or call 561-330-6000 for information and tickets.