John Isner poses with the trophy after winning the 2013 BB&T Atlanta Open.
© Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
The view of the stadium court in downtown Atlanta.
© Getty Images
The "Fuzzy Lexus" will be roving the Atlanta area promoting the event.
2014 Emirates Airline US Open Series Tournament Preview: The BB&T Atlanta Open
Where: Atlantic Station, Atlanta, GA
When: July 21-27 (qualifying starts July 19)
Defending Champions: John Isner (singles); Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Igor Sijsling (doubles)
Tournament Website: www.bbtatlantaopen.com
History: The BB&T Atlanta Open kicked off in 2010, with the tournament previously being played in Indianapolis starting in 1921. Past champions in Atlanta include Mardy Fish, John Isner and Andy Roddick.
2013 Recap: Isner, the 2011 runner-up, broke through in a match that went the maximum number of games, defeating South Africa’s Kevin Anderson, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6. The two former collegiate stars – Isner at the University of Georgia, making him the partisan favorite, and Anderson at the University of Illinois – held serve throughout, with Isner denying Anderson on 11 break-point opportunities. In doubles, Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Igor Sijsling defeated Colin Fleming and Jonathan Marray, 7-6, 6-3.
2014 Preview: Played in the center of downtown Atlanta, with a view of the city’s skyline in the background, the BB&T Atlanta Open is one of the more unique venues in tennis. And as the first Series event of the season, it annually draws a top field that in recent years has included Fish, Isner, Roddick, James Blake, Robby Ginepri, Lleyton Hewitt and Kei Nishikori, as well as rising young Americans Ryan Harrison, Denis Kudla and Jack Sock.
Fun Fact: The 2013 singles final between 6-foot-9 Isner and 6-7 Anderson registered as the tallest combined singles final in ATP World Tour history.
Double Your Fun: This year’s BB&T Atlanta Open will feature a “Double Advantage” giveaway presented by Wilson and Lexus. Starting April 1 and running through the end of the event, Wilson and Lexus will offer weekly prizes ranging from autographed tennis racquets and gear to a one-on-one hitting session with a Wilson-sponsored player. For your chance to win, follow the BB&T Atlanta Open on Facebook and Twitter and use the hashtag #DoubleAdvantage. And if you’re in the Atlanta area, be on the lookout for the #FuzzyLexus, a 2014 Lexus IS wrapped to look like a roving tennis ball.
Bulldog Day: Former University of Georgia football star Herschel Walker, the 1982 Heisman winner, will make an appearance and flip the coin for the Tuesday, July 22, College Night matches. Fans also will get the opportunity to meet and greet Walker during Tuesday’s festivities. Four-year Georgia tennis standout John Isner is the event's defending champion.
– E.J. Crawford