DELRAY BEACH, August 26, 2019 (Press Release)
The Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com announced that ATP TOUR tennis stars Juan Martin del Potro, Kei Nishikori and Bob and Mike Bryan have committed to playing Delray Beach in 2020, the 28th edition of the event. In addition, they are confirming that local Delray Beach teenage sensation Coco Gauff will be making a special appearance on Saturday, February 15th for her hometown fans.
Getting underway February 14-23 at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center, Juan Martin del Potro will be making his sixth appearance in Delray Beach, including winning the 2011 singles title, while 2008 singles Champion Kei Nishikori will be making his fifth appearance and returning Champions Bob and Mike Bryan are making their twelfth appearance to pursue their sixth doubles title.
“Our 2020 field is so strong, already. To see these guys, former champs, all committing and returning, it’s so rewarding for the fans here and our fans who make the annual trip to Delray Beach,” commented Mark Baron, Tournament Director. “We love seeing Nishikori continue to prove his relevancy at the top of the game and Delpo, he’s just Delpo. There’s no bigger heart-warmer in sports. And, of course, Mike and Bob are almost family having been here and succeeded here so many times. Getting to see my youngest son play in their band when they’re all in town is a treat too.”
Taking the court Tuesday night, Feb. 18th (session 8) will be del Potro. Reaching a career-high singles ranking of No. 3 in 2018, del Potro was the 2018 US Open singles finalist and qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals for the fifth time after a season that included winning his first ATP Masters 1000 title. To date, del Potro has captured 22 ATP singles titles including the 2009 US Open and boasts the most wins (10) over No. 1 ranked singles players including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer which is the most by any player who has not been ranked No. 1. In 2016, del Potro led Argentina to their first Davis Cup Title and won the silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
Winning his first singles title in Delray Beach at 19-years-old to make him the youngest singles champion on tour since 1998, Nishikori is the top Asian player in ATP rankings history and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 4 in 2015. Nishikori has won 12 ATP Tour titles and, between 2014-2016 and in 2018, he finished in the top 10 and qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals. Nishikori’s biggest career win was over No. 1 Novak Djokovic at the 2014 US Open to become the first Asian Grand Slam men’s singles finalist. Additionally, Nishikori is the first Asian man to reach the quarterfinals of all four grand slams and captured the 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medal after defeating Rafael Nadal.
In the doubles action on Wednesday night, Feb. 19 (session 10), the winningest tandem of all-time Bob and Mike Bryan are returning to pursue their sixth Delray Beach doubles title and defend their 2019 win. In their 11 appearances, they have reached a record seven finals including capturing the titles in 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2019. Together, the Bryan Brothers share 118 career doubles titles, 16 Grand Slam titles and are the only doubles or singles players to sweep all four Grand Slams, 9 ATP Masters 1000 events, the Nitto ATP Finals and Olympics, winning gold in London (2012) and bronze in Beijing (2008). Additionally, The Bryan Brothers also have the most victories by any doubles team in US Davis Cup history with a 24-5 win/loss record including winning the Davis Cup in 2007. The Bryan Brothers have finished No. 1 in team rankings ten times during their career and were voted ATP Tour Fan favorites for 8 consecutive years (2005-2012).
On Saturday night, February 15th, Coco Gauff will take stadium court at 7:00 p.m. (session 3) in a best of three set match (third set is a match tie-breaker, if needed) that will take place in between the ATP Champions Tour matches played at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. With tickets starting at $30, local residents will have the opportunity to watch Gauff in action up-close after the 15-year-old made a big splash at Wimbledon receiving a wild card into the singles qualification where she won consecutive straight-set matches before defeating Venus Williams in the first round and advancing to the second week. A Florida native who has captured the attention of tennis fans around the world and in her hometown, Gauff is the former no. 1 junior in the world and won the 2018 Roland Garros girls title and was a finalist in the US Open girls singles draw in 2017 at the age of 13.
“We are excited to have spoken with Coco and her team and confirm that she will be part of the February event,” said Mark Baron, Tournament Director. “It’s something we all wanted. It will be a beautiful night for the game, for the community and for Coco to be able to play in a stadium full of family and friends in her own backyard.”
