Tickets to Tournament Available Beginning May 10

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (APRIL 20, 2011) – The Winston-Salem Open at Wake Forest University announces that John Isner – ranked No. 4 among American male players and No. 29 among worldwide players on the ATP Rankings – as the second player signed to compete in the inaugural tournament.  Isner grew up in Greensboro, graduated from Page High School and was a four-time All American at the University of Georgia.

Tickets to the Winston-Salem Open go on sale to the public beginning May 10.  For more information or to purchase tickets (on or after May 10), please go to www.winstonsalemopen.com.

Isner joins Mardy Fish, who signed to the Winston-Salem Open earlier this month.  Fish moved into a coveted top 10 position (at No. 10) in this week’s ATP worldwide ranking of male players.  He remains No. 1 among American males on the ATP Ranking.

"Since his professional career began in 2007, John has been widely recognized as one of the future stars of American tennis," said tournament director Bill Oakes.  "We’re incredibly excited to have two of the top five male tennis players in America as the first to sign on with the Winston-Salem Open.  We’re also anticipating a groundswell of local fan enthusiasm for John since he grew up in the Triad and maintains many friendships here."

A current player on the U.S. Davis Cup team, Isner is well known in tennis circles as the only player in the top 150 to attend college for four years, for being the second tallest player on tour (6’9") and for his fast rise on the ATP ranking.  He has one of the hardest serves among current pros and holds the record for the longest match ever played in tennis history. Isner’s heroic battle at Wimbledon against Frenchman Nicolas Mahut lasted for 11 hours and 5 minutes, ending with his 70-68 victory in the fifth set.