By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Thursday, June 1, 2023
The long-running tennis event in Washington, D.C. introduced a brand new sponsor and a brand new format in time for its 54th version beginning on July 29.
Event organizers revealed the newly-named Mubadala Citi DC Open will happen beginning on July twenty ninth.
The brand new occasion would be the first and solely mixed ATP and WTA 500 occasion on the calendar.
The occasion combines final yr’s San Jose WTA 250 occasion and the ATP/WTA occasion in Washington D.C. ATP gamers have competed in D.C. for the reason that event’s starting in 1969. The WTA tour joined the occasion in 2012, albeit in a unique tier designation. Now each ATP and WTA occasions will likely be on the similar 500 degree.
One of many nation’s most historic tournaments enters a brand new chapter as DC hosts the primary ever mixed @atptour & @WTA 500 degree occasion and welcome a brand new co-title companion @Mubadala.
Introducing the Mubadala Citi DC Open coming to our nation’s capital this summer season! #MubadalaCitiDC pic.twitter.com/23kB0B6By3
— Mubadala Citi DC Open (@mubadalacitidc) June 1, 2023
“Since we took over the Citi Open in 2019, one in all our high targets was to safe the long-term rights to host an equal degree WTA 500 occasion together with our historic ATP 500 occasion that’s beloved by our group and that has been a spotlight of summers in Washington for 53 years. We’re thrilled to now make {that a} actuality and are deeply grateful to Mubadala and Citi for this distinctive and impactful partnership,” mentioned Mark Ein, Mubadala Citi DC Open’s Chairman. “Having the ability to showcase women and men on the similar highest-level occasions is likely one of the issues that makes tennis so particular, and this transfer solidifies the Mubadala Citi DC Open as one of many premiere skilled tennis tournaments on this planet.”
“We’d prefer to thank the Bay space for over 50 years of help, enthusiasm and keenness. We’ve beloved bringing one of the best in ladies’s tennis to the doorstep yr after yr,” said Josh Ripple, SVP of Tennis Occasions at IMG, the proprietor and operator of the WTA 500 occasion. “Whereas we’re unhappy to go, we’re additionally very enthusiastic about this new chapter within the occasion’s historical past as the one 500-level mixed occasion on the excursions within the U.S. We hope that by bringing this occasion to D.C. we are able to begin new traditions and convey that very same ardour for ladies’s tennis we noticed in San Jose to the capital.”
Steve Simon, WTA Chairman & CEO mentioned: “The Bay Space has performed host to so many unforgettable moments at one of many Hologic WTA Tour’s longest-running tournaments. The legacy of this much-loved occasion will stay on in its new house, in Washington D.C., the place I’m excited to see WTA and ATP stars competing collectively for the primary time on the 500 degree, creating new reminiscences for a lot of extra years to come back.”
The brand new occasion nonetheless should be permitted by the ATP Board.
Season tickets for the 2023 Mubadala Citi DC Open are already on sale.
Picture Credit score: Wealthy Kessler/Citi Open
