The BB&T Atlanta Open has signed Richard Gasquet, the tournament’s first non-American Top 10 player, to play in its 2014 tournament. This will be Frenchman Gasquet’s first appearance in the BB&T Atlanta Open, which runs July 19-27.
Focused on giving fans a wide range of entertainment, the tournament is presenting Yacht Rock Revue on Wednesday, July 23, following the last match. The concert is included in the regular ticket price and will take place on Stadium Court.
With defending champ John Isner already signed to play, the tournament now has two players currently in the Top 10 of the Emirates ATP Rankings: Gasquet at No. 9 and Isner at No. 10. Also committed to play in the first men’s event in the Emirates Airline US Open Series, the road to America’s Grand Slam in New York, are No. 2 American Sam Querrey and France’s Gael Monfils.
A versatile player with a fluid, one-handed backhand, Gasquet has taken titles on four surfaces: hard, grass, clay and carpet. All-time great Roger Federer is the only other active player with titles on four surfaces. Gasquet has earned more than $10 million in prize money and reached No. 7 in the world at the age of 20. He has 10 ATP World Tour wins, three of which came in 2013. Gasquet reached the final of this year’s Montpellier tournament, losing to Monfils.
“Atlanta will host some of the most talented players in the world and we’re proud to add Richard Gasquet to the esteemed roster,” said Tournament Director and Chief Development Officer Eddie Gonzalez. “Our vision is for the BB&T Atlanta Open to be a ‘mini US Open,’ and, with this year’s world-class talent, this is our best field ever! We’re also excited to announce fan favorite band Yacht Rock Revue, which ticketholders can hear without leaving their seats. Fans will get to enjoy world-class tennis and then one of Atlanta’s most popular bands, all included in the ticket price.”
With a new emphasis on themed days and nights, the following tentative events are in the works: free concerts in Central Park, the annual “Tennis Night on the Town” fundraising dinner to benefit the YMCA, Kids Day, Military Night, College Night, 80’s Night, Ladies Day, ALTA and USTA Night and Fan Appreciation Day. The USTA Family Zone will also be open throughout the tournament for persons of all ages to play tennis for free.