Dallas-based John Isner is holding court come February when he, along with fellow sports fans, will host some of the top tennis players from around the globe. Isner will also be hitting the court as well, so mark your calendars for Feb. 6 as the Dallas Open (dallasopen.com) makes its grand debut.
Professional tennis is finally returning to Dallas and we are absolutely thrilled to hear it! What are you most looking forward to in terms of the forthcoming Dallas Open? Dallas has an incredibly passionate, knowledgeable tennis community, so it’s really exciting to have ATP Tour-level tennis back. Personally, I am excited to be able to show off my home city to the fellow players on tour. I am sure they are going to love everything that Dallas has to offer.
How will the Dallas Open be unique compared to other professional tennis tournaments around the globe? The Dallas Open will be the only ATP Tour indoor championship in the U.S., and the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex at SMU is going to provide a really intimate atmosphere for fans and players. The farthest seat will be only 60 feet away from the court, which means the fans are going to really be part of the action.
This is a huge coup for the city. What kind of reception has the Dallas Open received from the tennis community? The reaction has been incredible. Peter [Lebedevs, tournament director] and his team have been embraced by the city, and everyone I talk to is asking me for tickets!
Tell us more about your nonprofit organization. The Isner Family Foundation provides financial support for qualified families to obtain necessities, such as meals, clothing, transportation, convenient lodging, car seats and medical supplies, while their children are under the care of Children’s Health. I am proud to have the Isner Family Foundation be one of the nonprofit partners for the Dallas Open, and we are excited to be hosting our first major event for the foundation on Friday, Feb. 4, to help kick off the tournament.
What kind of experience can fans and fellow sports enthusiasts expect? The Dallas Open is going to be a first-class event that celebrates Dallas and features some of the top tennis players in the world. The unique, intimate atmosphere will allow for more interaction with players for fans, which is sure to make it a good time.
Photography by: ATP TOUR
