Two of the world’s top tennis players have committed to play in the BB&T Atlanta Open.
Sam Querrey, who at No. 57 is the ATP Tour’s second-highest ranked U.S. player, and Gael Monfils, ranked No. 24, will compete in the event, which is scheduled for July 19-27 at Atlantic Station.
Both players will make their first appearances in the tournament. Defending champion John Isner also will return.
“I’ve always wanted to play it,” Querrey said. “It’s great preparation for the U.S. Open.”
Querrey said he hasn’t played in the event because it was difficult to fit into his schedule. The move of the Los Angeles tournament to Bogota, Colombia, this year opened a spot in his schedule.
Querrey said he has always heard good things about the event and the site from Isner — whom he said is one of his best friends on the tour — Ryan Harrison and Mardy Fish, who have played in the tournament many times.
Querrey said the typical summer weather will help his body get ready for the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 25 in New York. Querrey said he also will benefit because the court and the balls used are the same as in New York.
Plus, it’s better to stay in the United States.
“As an American, it’s fun to play in a U.S. city as opposed to Europe,” he said.
Querrey, whose ranking reached as high as No. 17 in 2011, has won seven career titles, the most recent in Los Angeles two years ago. He is 3-6 in singles this year, which he described as an “OK” start. He reached the third round of the Australian Open, where he was defeated by Italy’s Fabio Fognini.
“Hopefully, in the next few tournaments I can get a few wins,” Querrey said.
Monfils may challenge Isner for the tournament’s top seed. Monfils has five singles titles, the most recent this year at Montpellier, France. His ranking reached as high as No. 7 in 2011. He is 12-3 this year.
Etc.: The BB&T Atlanta Open will start a week later in 2015, on July 27, because the tours are adding a week between the French Open and Wimbledon.
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