WASHINGTON, July 26, 2023 (by Michael Dickens)
The Mubadala Citi DC Open, the fifth-largest pro tennis event in the U.S. and the only combined ATP-WTA 500 tournament in the world, on Wednesday announced its main draw wild cards in advance of next week’s highly-anticipated 54th edition of the tournament at the William H.G. Fitz Gerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park.
Coming to the nation’s capital city of Washington, D.C. with main draw wild cards are some familiar names to tennis fans, including two Grand Slam champions, four major finalists, fan favorites and an up-and-coming Washington, D.C. junior star.
Main draw wild cards have been awarded to: 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, 2023 Wimbledon semifinalist Elina Svitolina, 2022 Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins, 2014 US Open finalist and 2015 D.C. champion Kei Nishikori, 2016 D.C. champion Gaël Monfils, and two-time Grand Slam finalist and 2017 D.C. runner up Kevin Anderson, who recently came out of retirement.
🚨 Men’s Wild Card Announcement 🚨
Three former Top 🔟 players add to a stacked men’s singles lineup!
🇿🇦 Kevin Anderson
🇯🇵 Kei Nishikori
🇫🇷 Gael Monfils#MubadalaCitiDCOpen pic.twitter.com/QLmmalfXfA— Mubadala Citi DC Open (@mubadalacitidc) July 26, 2023
Also, 2023 Wimbledon junior girls’ singles champion and Washington, D.C. native Clervie Ngounoue, 17, and former University of Michigan standout and Washington, D.C. native Andrew Fenty have been awarded qualifying draw wild cards. Plus, 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez will be among those competing in the qualifying draw.
The 2023 tournament features plenty of main draw depth and star power, including six Top 10 players, five Grand Slam champions, three former World No. 1s and six past D.C. champions.
“We have an incredible player field committed to compete in this year’s Mubadala Citi DC Open, the first and only combined ATP and WTA 500 level tournament in the world,” said tournament chairman Mark Ein. “Awarding two Grand Slam champions and three Grand Slam finalists wild cards into our event only strengthens an already incredibly deep player field.”
🚨 Women’s Wild Card Announcement 🚨
FOUR former Top 10 players will all be competing in DC!
🇨🇦 Bianca Andreescu
🇺🇸 Sofia Kenin
🇺🇦 Elina Svitolina
🇺🇸 Danielle Collins#MubadalaCitiDCOpen pic.twitter.com/H1XHSKLX6Y— Mubadala Citi DC Open (@mubadalacitidc) July 26, 2023
Mubadala Citi DC Open notes
Early commitments Daniil Medvedev, a 2019 D.C. finalist who was projected to be the top seed in the men’s ATP 500 event, and two-time D.C. champion (2019, 2022) Nick Kyrgios have withdrawn from the tournament due to injury. The World No. 3 Medvedev reached the semifinals of Wimbledon earlier this month before losing to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz. Meanwhile, Kyrgios has dealt with multiple injuries that has sidelined him nearly the entire 2023 season. He has appeared in just one match this year, losing to Wu Yibing in the first round at Stuttgart on grass.
