The
DC Open (also known as Mubadala Citi DC Open for sponsorship reasons) begins on Monday 29 July. Our
preview looks ahead to Day One with the
schedule now confirmed for the ATP/WTA 500 crossover.
One big name stands out in playing on Monday 29 July with
Emma Raducanu set to return to the court for the first time since losing to Lulu Sun at Wimbledon. She has still been in the headlines though with questioning surrounding her decision not to play the Olympic Games.
Both from pundits and also from her British teammate Heather Watson from a place of her own views on playing the Olympics being the pinnacle. But often, it is very much the fire that burns that provides the tonic for Raducanu to perform.
Raducanu leads Stadium line-up
The former US Open champion will begin her attempted march again towards Flushing Meadows by facing off against Elise Mertens who she found a way past at Wimbledon with a fare amount of ease.
Mertens is eighth seed but doesn't say too much in a field that only really features Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur as bonafide top seeds. Anastasia Pavyluchenkova for instance who kicks off against Ashlyn Krueger is seventh seed. As ever we get a mix of both ATP and WTA action too.
Borna Coric will face off against Emil Ruusuvuori in the first ATP match of the day with
Reilly Opelka's continued return concluding proceedings in between Raducanu. Also
Denis Shapovalov will take on Roberto Bautista Agut interspersed between those two ties.
Sloane Stephens (pictured) faces Amanda Anisimova in one of the leading ties.
Off on outer courts, one of the leading highlights is
Sloane Stephens facing off against
Amanda Anisimova in an all American battle. Losing protected rankings, Anisimova who hasn't made the splash as of yet since returning to the sport in January had to come through qualifying. But it brings a superb potential battle to Washington.
Also on the John Harris court is David Goffin facing Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Shelby Rogers, Karolina Pliskova and J.J Wolf also star on the opening day. There is also the interesting doubles tandem of Ons Jabeur and Paula Badosa. All in the same place as fellow best friend, Aryna Sabalenka. They have jested on social media as a result but will team in doubles over the next week with Sabalenka likely more focused on singles glory.
It begins a week of a tournament that is unique as the only combined ATP 500 and WTA 500 tournament in the world and acts as a pre-cursor for Canada and Cincinnati to come. The event is held at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center and has a rich history, co-founded by tennis legend Arthur Ashe.
Recent Winners and Notable Past Champions
Men's Singles:
- 2023: Daniel Evans defeated Tallon Griekspoor (7-5, 6-3).
- 2022: Nick Kyrgios defeated Yoshihito Nishioka (6-4, 6-3).
- 2019: Nick Kyrgios defeated Daniil Medvedev (7-6(6), 7-6(4)).
Andre Agassi holds the record for the most titles at this tournament, with five wins (1990-91, 1995, 1998-99).
Women's Singles:
- 2023: Coco Gauff defeated Maria Sakkari (6-2, 6-3).
- 2022: Liudmila Samsonova defeated Kaia Kanepi (4-6, 6-3, 6-3).
- 2019: Jessica Pegula defeated Camila Giorgi (6-2, 6-2).
Magdalena Rybarikova has been a notable champion, winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
Historical Significance and Impact
The tournament has been a platform for many prominent tennis players, including Ken Rosewall, Jimmy Connors, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Andy Roddick, and the Williams sisters. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments in tennis, with a history dating back to its founding by Ashe, Donald Dell, and John A. Harris.
Stadium
Starting at 11:00am
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (7) v Ashlyn Krueger (USA) - WTA
Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) v Borna Coric (CRO) ATP
(WC) Denis Shapovalov (CAN) v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) ATP
Elise Mertens (BEL) (8) v (WC) Emma Raducanu (GBR) WTA
(WC) Reilly Opelka (USA) v James Duckworth (AUS) ATP
John Harris
Starting at 11:00am
Federico Coria (ARG) v (WC) J.J. Wolf (USA) ATP
Yafan Wang (CHN) v Karolina Pliskova (CZE) WTA
Shelby Rogers (USA) v (WC) Robin Montgomery (USA) WTA
David Goffin (BEL) v Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG) ATP
Sloane Stephens (USA) v (Q) Amanda Anisimova (USA) WTA
Grandstand
Starting at 11:00am
Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) v Caroline Dolehide (USA) WTA
(Q) Mattia Bellucci (ITA) v Mackenzie McDonald (USA) ATP
Eri Hozumi/Makoto Ninomiya (JPN) v Paula Badosa (ESP) and Ons Jabeur` (TUN) WTA
Harri Heliovaara (FIN) and Henry Patten (GBR) (1) v Ivan Dodig (CRO) and Ben Shelton (USA) ATP
Court 4
Starting at 11:00am
Christopher O'Connell (AUS) v Harold Mayot (FRA) - ATP
(Q) Maxime Cressy (USA) v Daniel Elahi Galan (COL) ATP
Adam Walton (AUS) v (Q) Seongchan Hong (KOR) ATP
Court 5
Starting at 11:00am
Ulrikke Eikeri (NOR) and Ingrid Neel (EST) v Oksana Kalashnikova (GEO) and Kamilla Rakhimova (WTA)
Aslan Karatsev v Cristian Garin (CHI) ATP
Yuki Bhambri (IND) and Albano Olivetti (FRA) v Sadio Doumbia (FRA) and Hugo Nys (MON) (6)