ATLANTA, May 26, 2016 – ATP World Tour, No. 20, Kevin Anderson, has committed to the 2016 BB&T Atlanta Open, an ATP World Tour 250 event and one of the eight Emirates Airline U.S. Open Series events on the summer calendar. The 2016 BB&T Atlanta Open will be held July 30 – August 7, at Atlantic Station in Midtown Atlanta.
Anderson's best result in Atlanta was in 2013 when he was defeated by Isner, in a three-set marathon, 6-7(3), 7-6(2), 7-6(2). The match reached new heights and made history in other ways as the two players -- 6’10" Isner and the 6’8" Anderson.-- combined for the tallest size of two singles finalists in ATP history.
“Atlanta is one of the great tennis towns in the world with a huge number of players who are also knowledgeable fans,” states Anderson. “So for the tour players to come there is really fun because they know the crowd appreciates good tennis. Having had some success on court in Atlanta, I am looking forward to returning and hope to see everyone come out and support the event.”
“It's a pleasure to welcome Kevin back to Atlanta,” said Eddie Gonzalez, Chief Business Officer and Tournament Director for BB&T Atlanta Open. “Kevin plays his best tennis in the summer on hardcourts and adding another top-20 player to our event is something special for our fans.”
With Isner, Vedasco, Anderson and Andre Agassi, the 2016 BB&T Atlanta Open is positioning itself to be the “sporting event of the summer” in Metro Atlanta.
Agassi will play a rematch of his 1996 Olympic Games Singles Gold Medal match on Sunday, July 31 on the Stadium Court against former rival Sergi Bruguera of Spain. Agassi, the face of tennis during a career that stretched more than two decades, won all four Grand Slam titles, including the U.S. Open twice and the Australian Open four times.
Agassi has stated that tennis was his destiny, and he had assumed from a very young age that he was going to be a tennis professional. In his 40's, Agassi is the definition of someone who achieved that dream in American Sports: He won eight Grand Slam singles titles and an Olympic gold medal and is one of just seven male tennis greats to achieve a Career Grand Slam (winning an Australian Open, French Open, US Open, and Wimbledon).
The BB&T Atlanta Open has welcomed over 250,000 fans to Atlantic Station over the past six years, establishing itself as one of the top ATP tennis events in the US. Tickets for the 2016 BB&T Atlanta Open can be purchased at http://www.bbtatlantaopen.com/
About the BB&T Atlanta Open
The BB&T Atlanta Open is held each year in July in Atlantic Station and is one of eight summer tournaments in the Emirates Airline US Open Series. The tournament features men’s top world tennis players in singles and doubles competition. Approximately 40,000 fans attend the tournament and bring an estimated economic impact of $10.3 million to Atlanta. John Isner holds the 2015, 2014 and the 2013 titles. Andy Roddick won his last ATP World Tour title when he defeated Gilles Muller at the 2012 BB&T Atlanta Open. Mardy Fish holds the title for 2011 and 2010.
About GF Sports
After the successful completion of the BB&T Atlanta Open in August 2015, GF Sports, LLC, a newly formed integrated event content company, formed by the New York-based financial management company GF Capital Private Equity Fund, and its founder Gary Fuhrman, along with long time sports executive, Jerry Solomon and his Lynnfield-based company, StarGames acquired the tournament. GF Sports has committed to reinvigorating the BB&T Atlanta Open brand and bringing a World Class Field-World Class Fun to many local, regional and national tennis fans for years to come.