DELRAY BEACH, January 10, 2020 (Press Release)
The Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com announced their 2020 main draw singles field for the Feb. 14-23 ATP 250 event. In addition to already-committed Juan Martin del Potro (ARG), Nick Kyrgios (AUS), Milos Raonic (CAN) and Kei Nishikori (JPN), defending champion Radu Albot (MDA) and 2018 winner Frances Tiafoe (USA) are returning as are fan-favorite Americans Taylor Fritz and Reilly Opelka. ATP Next Gen international stars Ugo Humbert (FRA) and Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) also made the cut, giving fans an opportunity to see tennis’ next wave of superstars.
Capturing his first career singles title in 2019 in Delray Beach, Albot (no. 46) defeated Nick Kyrgios, Steve Johnson, and Mackenzie McDonald en route to the final where he won a thrilling three set match against Daniel Evans after saving three match points. Following this, Albot went on to reach a career-high singles ranking of No. 30 in 2019.
In 2018, Tiafoe (No. 47) had the most successful week of his young career when he captured his first singles title at the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com. Tiafoe was the first wild card winner in the tournament’s history and is the youngest American to win an ATP title since 19-year-old Andy Roddick won in Houston in 2002. He was also the first Next-Gen American to win a title and the eighth player to capture his first ATP title at Delray Beach.
“Our field gets stronger through its diversity every year,” said Tournament Director Mark Baron. “With so many returning champions and stars at one end of the spectrum and these young guys who fear nothing on the other side, it’s going to be a real treat for fans.”
Making tennis fans must see list for 2020 are ATP Next Gen stars Humbert (No. 56) and Kecmanovic (No. 62). Breaking into the top 50 in 2019, Humbert has been ranked as high as No. 46 in singles and qualified for the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals with impressive wins last year over Borna Coric (No. 13) and fellow countryman Gael Monfils (No. 9) at Wimbledon where he advanced to the fourth round before falling to champion Novak Djokovic (No. 1).
Reaching a career-high ranking of No. 47 after breaking into the top 100 in 2019, Kecmanovic reached the semifinals of the Next Gen ATP Finals in addition to the quarterfinals at the ATP Masters 1000 in Indian Wells. His biggest win came last year against Alexander Zverev (No. 6) at the Cincinnati Masters prior to reaching the semifinals of Antalya.
Delray Beach’s complete acceptance list includes the following ATP Tour stars: Radu Albot (MDA), Damir Dzumhur (BIH), Kyle Edmund (GBR), Taylor Fritz (USA), Ugo Humbert (FRA), Steve Johnson (USA), Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB), Soonwoo Kwon (KOR), Nick Kyrgios (AUS), Adrian Mannarino (FRA), Mackenzie McDonald (USA), John Millman (AUS), Kei Nishikori (JPN), Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN), Reilly Opelka (USA), Tommy Paul (USA), Milos Raonic (CAN), Tennys Sandgren (USA), Andreas Seppi (ITA), Cedrik-Marcel Stebe (GER), Jordan Thompson (AUS), Frances Tiafoe (USA), and Yasutaka Uchiyama (JPN). The tournament still holds two wildcards and two special exempts that will round out the 32-player ATP 250 main event.
The 10-day tournament will open Valentine’s Day weekend with the ATP Champions Tour team event and a special exhibition match starring local teen tennis star Coco Gauff. The Team Europe vs Team World match-up will showcase tennis legends David Ferrer, James Blake, Tommy Haas, Marcos Baghdatis and other fan-favorites.
On President’s Day Monday, Feb. 17, the game’s reigning stars take center court commencing the ATP 250 matches. Fans can book now for the tournament’s “Super Tuesday” featuring Juan Martin del Potro, Kei Nishikori, Nick Kyrgios, Milos Raonic and the winningest team of all-time Bob and Mike Bryan making their final Tour appearance in Delray Beach on Wednesday night, Feb. 19.
