Stepping Out

New York Open a smash hit

Defending champ Anderson leads strong field

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Coming off a dynamic debut, including a thrilling singles final that saw Kevin Anderson outlast Sam Querrey in three sets, the New York Open ATP World Tour men’s tennis tournament returns to NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Feb. 9-17, with a full field of top-notch players.

“We’re thrilled to welcome a very strong mix of past and present ATP stars to NYCB LIVE for the return of the New York Open,” said Josh Ripple, Tournament Chairman and GF Sports EVP. “We think we’ve curated a can’t-miss offering of former No. 1s in singles and doubles, Hall of Famers, a Celebrity Chef, and a strong line-up of American youth and veterans to celebrate the only United States indoor championship on the ATP Tour.”

Headlining the 28-player main singles draw is Anderson, the defending champion, who rallied to defeat Querrey, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 for the inaugural title on Long Island. The South African – ranked No. 6 in the world – is seeking to once again make his mark on the tournament’s iconic black courts.

Alongside Anderson at the top of the field is the top-ranked American player in the world, John Isner. Ranked No. 10 worldwide, Isner is hoping to take the title to add to an already impressive career resume.

In addition to Anderson and Isner, many of the top-ranked Americans in the sport will arrive on Long Island eyeing the crown. Steve Johnson, behind Isner as the second-highest ranked American men’s singles player, will be part of the strong American presence in the field. The 29-year-old will be eyeing his fifth career title. Querrey, ranked 51st in the world, will be looking for a measure of revenge upon his return. And 27-year-old Tennys Sandgren, will be in the field for the first time, along with past Memphis Open winner Ryan Harrison. 

Former top-ranked American and the current world’s No. 2 ranked doubles star Jack Sock has entered and is looking to regain his top singles form. Additionally, Long Island native Noah Rubin, of Merrick, will play in front of a home crowd for the second straight year.

Joining them will be a cadre of top talent, including one of the game’s rising stars: Alex de Minaur. The 19-year-old Australian, who is ranked 31st in the world, will be a part of the field, and is fresh off a breakout 2018 campaign in which earned him the ATP’s Newcomer of the Year Award. de Minaur will also compete in doubles with former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt in an equally star-studded field.

Also on the doubles side, No. 1 ATP-ranked doubles player Mike Bryan is reuniting with his brother Bob, the No. 6-ranked player, bringing the sport’s greatest doubles team to the area.

“The team has done a great job securing several of the world’s top-10 players in singles and doubles and attracting legends who will also play in the main doubles competition,” Ripple said. “Quite frankly, there’s nothing like a major, world-class sporting event in New York, and we think the play on the on-court will surpass what was an exceptional competition in 2018.”

This year’s New York Open will kick off in a big way on Saturday Feb. 9 with the return of the free-to-the-public New York Tennis Expo (10:30 a.m.) followed by opening night, when a pair of International Tennis Hall of Fame members – and former world No. 1s – will face off in an exhibition match: Andy Roddick and Jim Courier. The two American stars combined for five major titles, 55 ATP Tour singles titles, and nearly $35 million in career earnings.

The “Taste of New York Open” will debut at 6 p.m., prior to the Roddick-Courier match. The event will host the official ATP Player Party and feature a one-of-a-kind menu created by world-renowned chef David Burke – a two-time James Beard Foundation winner as “Best Chef in New York.”

“Long Island has a rich sporting tradition and in just two years, the New York Open has quickly become a part of it,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “We are thrilled to welcome some of the best tennis players in the world back to the beautiful Nassau Coliseum. Fans in this area will once again be treated to the best the sport has to offer – both on the court, and off of it.”

Tickets for the 2019 New York Open are on sale and can be purchased via either newyorkopen.com/tickets or nycblive.com/events, at the Ticketmaster Box Office located at NYCB LIVE, or by calling (800) 745-3000.