The BB&T Atlanta Open has announced a series of special events to further raise the bar for the tournament taking place July 20-28 at Atlantic Station. Special events will include the Bro Down Showdown, Tennis Night on the Town, Clos Du Bois Barrels to Balls, Military Appreciation Night, a USTA Member Appreciation Reception, ALTA Night, and the USTA Family Zone featuring daily free play opportunities. For more information on upcoming special events or to purchase tickets to the BB&T Atlanta Open, visit www.BBTAtlantaOpen.com.
Saturday, July 20
The BB&T Atlanta Open will kick off the 2013 tournament with Tennis Night on the Town, an exciting charity event benefiting youth tennis programs at YMCA’s across Atlanta. The special evening will feature the BB&T Atlanta Open official Player Party and Draw Ceremony, a pro exhibition for the Youth’s 10 & Under tennis program, a chance to meet and mingle with ATP World Tour pros, creative cuisine and signature cocktails, special musical entertainment by Ronald Agenor (former world No. 22 ATP World Tour pro), a silent auction with elite prizes and the opportunity to make a difference. Festivities will be held at the Twelve Hotel Ballroom in Atlantic Station from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are available to the public for $500 each and may be purchased at www.AtlantaYMCATennis.org.
Monday, July 22
Matching up four sets of brothers who have all battled on the ATP World Tour, the Bro Down Showdown will delight the crowdprior to the featured Monday night first-round match. Brothers Bob and Mike Bryan, James and Thomas Blake, Ryan and Christian Harrison, and Jack and Eric Sock will go head to head for the chance to be the top “bros” and win bragging rights. Expect to hear our players entertain the fans with spirited on-court comments. The exhibition starts at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, July 23
Atlanta enjoys the distinction of having the largest number of tennis league players in the world with more than 42,000 USTA members and 80,000 ALTA members. This dynamic tennis community will be recognized with ALTA Night. Attending ALTA members will receive a $10 ticket discount. The top five boys and girls from their respective ALTA Junior Challenge ladders will be recognized and the on-court coin toss will be performed by ALTA President Dorian Jefferson.
Wednesday, July 24
USTA members throughout the country will also be honored on Wednesday, July 24 with a Member Appreciation Day Reception from 2-3:30 p.m. in the VIP Lounge and a $10 ticket discount available for Wednesday’s matches. USTA members are asked to provide membership cards for entrance and so they can enjoy complimentary refreshments, gifts, player appearances and giveaways.
Thursday, July 25
The Clos du Bois Barrels to Balls event will feature wine tasting with food pairings and Wine 101, with lessons on successful food pairings, how to choose the right wine at a restaurant and explaining wine terms. The event, which will run from 2-4 p.m., will also feature appearances by ATP World Tour players, music by local artists and a silent auction. Proceeds of the silent auction will benefit the YMCA of Metro Atlanta.
Also on July 25, the USTA will honor the men and women who have served our country’s military with Military Appreciation Night. The tournament will salute the United States military with on-court appearances by a military Color Guard and national anthem singer Lauren-Ashley Blake.
Saturday, July 20 – Sunday, July 28
The USTA Family Zone will be the place to be for young tennis players and the young at heart. Come and enjoy hitting tennis balls and having fun on the USTA 10 and Under Tennis 36’ courts on Atlantic Station’s Central Park. Open free to the public, USTA staffers will have age-appropriate tennis racquets, balls, courts and nets for kids to exercise, hit a few balls and enjoy tennis. The courts will be open from noon-7 p.m.
”Our goal for the BB&T Atlanta Open is to continually improve the overall experience for both players and guests,” says Tournament Director Bob Bryant. “With our headline event — The Bro Down — this year’s special event lineup is sure to entertain our crowds both on and off the courts.” In addition to exceptional tennis, we have a variety of buzz-worthy events for both adults and kids to choose from.”
The BB&T Atlanta Open is the first men’s event in the Emirates Airline US Open Series. Last July, the BB&T Atlanta Open set a new standard for tennis events during its’ inaugural year at Atlantic Station, which was universally praised as an outstanding site for fans, players and sponsors.
Connect with the BB&T Atlanta Open on their social media networks by liking their Facebook Page, www.Facebook.com/BBTAtlOpen, and following on Twitter, www.Twitter.com/BBTAtlantaOpen with the hashtag #ATLOpen. For more information about the BB&T Atlanta Open, visit www.BBTAtlantaOpen.com.