The North American hard-court swing is underway, featuring the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, a combined ATP/WTA 500 event that attracts top tennis talent. This year’s tournament, running from July 21 to July 27, will be held at the Fitzgerald Tennis Center and is part of the summer hard-court season leading up to the US Open, the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year.
Among the stars participating are Emma Raducanu, who recently impressed at Wimbledon with a second-round victory over former champion Marketa Vondrousova, and reigning champion Dan Evans, who has received a wild card to compete again in the tournament. The men’s draw includes prominent players such as Daniil Medvedev, Frances Tiafoe, and Holger Rune, while the women’s side features notable names like Jessica Pegula and Wimbledon runner-up Amanda Anisimova.
This year, the tournament will also welcome 45-year-old Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, marking her first tour-level match since March of the previous year.
The qualifying rounds are set for July 19 and 20, with the main draw beginning on July 21 and concluding with the singles finals on July 27. Last year’s champions included Sebastian Korda, who made history as the first American man to win the Washington Open since Andy Roddick in 2007, and Paula Badosa, who will not defend her title this year due to a back injury.
Fans can look forward to exciting matches and a strong display of talent throughout the tournament. It’s a great opportunity for players to fine-tune their game ahead of the crucial US Open, showcasing the resilience and skill inherent in the sport.