McEnroe-Blake, Stephens-Bouchard Headline Opening Night of New York Open

November 20, 2017 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo Credit: Lee Seidner

 

Tennis legend and New York Open honorary ambassador John McEnroe, 2017 US Open women’s tennis champion Sloane Stephens, Canada’s No. 1 WTA player Eugenie Bouchard, and 2007 U.S. Davis Cup champion James Blake will take the court at the inaugural New York Open ATP World Tour event at NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, February 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Following the Sunday, February 11 qualifying rounds (day session), guests who purchase an evening session ticket will have a chance to see John McEnroe play James Blake, followed by a match between Sloane Stephens and Eugenie Bouchard. All four players will take part in a mixed doubles matchup after singles play. All matches will be eight-game pro-sets.

Stephens, 24, is ranked No. 13 in the world and has won five singles titles, including her first Grand Slam title at the 2017 US Open. With the victory, she became the lowest ranked player, at No. 83, to win the women’s singles title and the first American woman aside from Serena and Venus Williams to win a Grand Slam singles title since Jennifer Capriati in 2002. Stephens also reached the semifinals of the 2013 Australian Open, defeating Serena Williams in the quarterfinals. She won her first title on tour at the 2015 Citi Open and holds a career high WTA singles ranking of No. 11.

“It will be great to return to New York for the first time since winning the US Open to play in front of these great fans in February,” said Stephens.  “And I’m looking forward to the fun of playing with Genie, James and, of course, John to help open the New York Open.”    

McEnroe holds four US Open and three Wimbledon singles titles, as well as five Davis Cup titles. He also won nine grand slam doubles titles and one mixed doubles title, and was the top ranked player in the world from 1981 through 1984. McEnroe was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1999.

Bouchard, 23, was the first Canadian tennis player to reach the finals of a Grand Slam in singles at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships. She also reached the semifinals of the 2014 Australian Open and French Open, and in 2012, she won the Wimbledon juniors title.

Blake ended his 14-year ATP career with 10 singles titles and he reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 at the 2013 US Open. Blake helped the U.S. Davis Cup team win the 2007 title, which was the first win for a US team since 1995. He is currently Chairman of the USTA Foundation in which he plays a significant role in helping people enjoy the game of tennis.

“The New York Open will quickly become the winter classic for tennis fans and entertainment seekers in the New York area, and kicking off this first year with the likes of John, Sloane, Genie, and James is a tremendous start,” said Tournament Director Josh Ripple. “Having men and women play together to celebrate our opening will be great fun for the fans, and we are excited to bring back champions that the New York market will want to see.”

Players who will be competing in the main draw include John Isner, Kei Nishikori, Noah Rubin, and the Bryan Brothers. More players will be announced soon.

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Century
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