The DC Open will take place between 31 July - 6 August in Washington and will be the first ever ATP-WTA combined 500 tournament.

This means that both will play for the same points, albeit not the same prize money with that being the main part that is not equal.

As ever, TennisUpToDate will preview the tournament ahead of the start of the US Open swing in full with the Atlanta Open proving to be a taster for the run-up to Flushing Meadows beginning in Washington.

The tournament was established in 1969 and has a long and prestigious history. It is played on hard courts at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center, located in Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C. The venue provides a picturesque setting for the matches.

Throughout the years, the DC Open has seen some of the biggest names in tennis compete for the titles. Past champions include Andy Murray, Juan Martín del Potro, Kei Nishikori, Sloane Stephens, and Svetlana Kuznetsova, among others.

But this time around, it will be combined for the first time with both tournaments being on the 500 level.d

On the Men's side, a big line-up was announced initially featuring Nick Kyrgios and Daniil Medvedev. Many of the other big names are taking a break or are playing European Clay (for example Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev etc.)

So in many ways, it was a coup to get the duo with the former being defending champion, but injury has paid heed to that.

Taylor Fritz who at time of writing is in the final in Atlanta will hot foot it over and play as the top seed, with his compatriot and fellow American high flier, Frances Tiafoe second seed.

Others involved this week include Andy Murray's return for the first time since Wimbledon, Christopher Eubanks, Alexander Bublik, Hubert Hurkacz, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Sebastian Korda and Grigor Dimitrov.

As well as Ben Shelton, J.J Wolf among the Americans involved.

A similar line-up in many ways to Atlanta, but with a few more star names, the interesting aspect of whether they will benefit from playing early compared to Toronto remains to be seen.

The interest potentially comes from the WTA Draw with a smaller draw as called out by Katie Boulter but a stacked draw full of big names albeit playing for considerably less prize money.

Jessica Pegula is top seed and could face Sofia Kenin in the second round. Elina Svitolina and Victoria Azarenka face off again after the infamous but brilliant Wimbledon clash.

Bianca Andreescu faces Marta Kostyuk with the winner facing Caroline Garcia, Coco Gauff is in action and could face Karolina Pliskova.

In addition, Jennifer Brady plays her first main level WTA tournament since returning, while Maria Sakkari, Daria Kasatkina, Madison Keys, Liudmila Samsonova and Danielle Collins as well as Belinda Bencic play in an utterly stacked line-up.

So stacked that Leylah Fernandez for instance has had to play qualifying as has young American prodigy, Peyton Stearns.

With a new surface and barring Kasatkina, many have not played since Wimbledon meaning that it will provide an interesting gauge as to where many are at.

But with such a packed draw, it will provide likely a big name winner going into Canada. An exciting week awaits in Washington in both draws.

Join us on TennisUpToDate for coverage all of this next week as the action heads to DC.