Make Like Naomi Osaka and Stop By the Inaugural Dallas Open This Week
The New Men's Pro Tennis Tournament is Taking Place at SMU Through Sunday
BY Megan Ziots // 02.07.22What fans can only assume was a way to kill some time before her boyfriend’s, rapper Cordae’s, Dallas performance at House of Blues on Sunday night, tennis star Naomi Osaka was spotted in the stands of the inaugural Dallas Open. Taking place at SMU’s Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex from February 6 through 13, the pro tennis tournament is a new men’s ATP World Tour 250 series event.
The only ATP Championship played indoors, the Dallas Open has brought in tons of top men’s players, including one who could probably walk over from his home in Highland Park — John Isner. Competing in singles as the third seed and doubles with fellow American Jack Sock, Isner is somewhat of an ambassador for the tournament.
Several other top American players are competing in the singles draw, including Taylor Fritz (the number one seed), Reilly Opelka (2), Jenson Brooksby (4), Tennys Sandgren, Steve Johnson, Sam Querrey, Brandon Nakashima, and more.
Unfortunately, one of our favorite players from Bulgaria, Grigor Dimitrov, had to drop out of the tournament after testing positive for Covid-19. But, there are still plenty of great matches to catch this week. South African player Kevin Anderson goes head-to-head with Querrey tonight, followed by Australian John Millman versus Nakashima. The next few days can only get more exciting.
The prize pool of the inaugural tournament is $792,980 with $107,770 going to the winner.
Tickets are pretty much sold out with some opening up online throughout the day. If you have Tennis Channel, you can catch matches on TV.