FAN FEST Opening Weekend Free For Kids!
Former U.S. Open and Delray Beach Open (DBO) champion Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina is returning to the DBO to play in the tournament’s Legends event during FAN FEST Opening Weekend, Feb. 13 to 15, the tournament announced recently. He will play on opening night, Friday, Feb. 13 and Sunday, Feb. 15. Tickets are available at DelrayBeachOpen.com.
Fans will be entertained by some of the best tennis players to ever play the sport. Grand Slam champion del Potro will be joined by Bob and Mike Bryan, the best doubles team of all time who won 16 Grand Slam titles and six DBO trophies together. French Open champs Luke and Murphy Jensen, Delray singles titlists Tommy Haas, Xavier Malisse and Jan-Michael Gambill, former doubles finalist Ryan Harrison, along with fan-favorite local pros Jesse Levine and Scoville Jenkins will round out a stellar Legends FAN FEST Opening Weekend, Feb. 13 to 15. Qualifying matches for the ATP event are also part of the weekend’s ticket.
New this year, FAN FEST Opening Weekend will be free for kids 14 and under with a paying adult. Kids’ tickets must be purchased in person at the box office on the day of the event. There are no limits on the number of kids with an adult. Kids can also register to participate in fun tennis games at the USTA Florida Kids’ Day that will take place on the courts Saturday morning, Feb. 14.
In 2009 del Potro, the 6-foot, 6-inch “gentle giant” with a big serve and ferocious forehand, defeated five-time defending champion Roger Federer to win the U.S. Open as a 20-year-old, after beating Rafael Nadal in the semifinals.
The Delray Beach Open was the first title in his 2011 comeback from injury. He returned to the tournament four more years, the last being in 2019 when he was ranked No. 4 in the world. He is tied for sixth on the tournament’s all-time match wins list with 14.
Del Potro won 22 titles over his career, reached a ranking of No. 3 in the world and won Olympic silver at the 2016 Rio Games.
“I had a great time last year playing against my old rivals in the Delray Beach Open Legends event and seeing my fans and friends,” said 37-year-old del Potro. “It’s a special tournament for me, having won the title there in 2011. I’m excited to be coming back.”
The main draw of the ATP tournament runs Feb. 16 to 22 featuring two-time champion and world No. 6, Taylor Fritz, along with hometown favorite No. 20, Tommy Paul and three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud of Norway, currently world-ranked No. 12, who will be making his tournament debut.
Tickets for individual sessions and series packages are available now at DelrayBeachOpen.com.
Here’s the FAN FEST Opening Weekend lineup:
Friday, Feb. 13 (Session 1)
Legends matches:
6 p.m. – Luke Jensen / Murphy Jensen vs. Tommy Haas / Jan-Michael Gambill
8 p.m. – Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan vs. Juan Martin del Potro / Jesse Levine
Events and offers: Mixed Doubles Mega Mixer, Kids free with paying adult
Saturday, Feb. 14
Day Session – (Session 2)
10 a.m. – ATP 250 qualifying match
Followed by ATP 250 qualifying match
Not before 2:30 p.m. – Legends match – Xavier Malisse / Ryan Harrison vs. Tommy Haas / Scoville Jenkins
Followed by ATP 250 qualifying match
Plus ATP 250 qualifying matches on Court 1
Events and offers: Legends Clinic, Senior Discounts, USTA Florida Kids’ Day Clinic, Military and First Responders Appreciation Day, Kids free with paying adult
Night Session – (Session 3)
Legends matches:
6 p.m. – Ryan Harrison / Jesse Levine vs. Xavier Malisse / Jan-Michael Gambill
8 p.m. – Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan vs. Luke Jensen / Murphy Jensen
Events and offers: Military and First Responders Appreciation Day, Kids free with paying adult
Sunday, Feb. 15: (Session 4)
10 a.m. – Final Round ATP 250 qualifying match
11:30 a.m. – Legends match – Jan-Michael Gambill / Ryan Harrison vs. Luke Jensen / Murphy Jensen
1:30 p.m. – Legends match – Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan vs. Juan Martin del Potro / Tommy Haas
Plus Final Round ATP qualifying matches on Court 1
Events and offers: ATP Doubles Pro-Am, Teacher Appreciation Day, Kids free with paying adult
The Delray Beach stop on the global ATP Tour annually plays in front of over 60,000 fans in addition to reaching television audiences in more than 135 countries over the course of 10 days.
Disclaimer – Match schedule, including number of sessions, dates, times, number of matches and players scheduled are subject to change. Tickets are not eligible for refund or exchange.
In southeast Palm Beach County, along the Atlantic seashore, a village by the sea that began as an agricultural community in 1895 has become one of Florida’s most popular destinations for visitors, new families and seasonal residents. The City of Delray Beach encompasses slightly over 16 square miles with a permanent population of nearly 65,000 and growing. The city’s charm continues to garner national awards. In 2017 alone the city received three awards: the “All-America City” award from the National Civic League (NCL) for literacy strides (the NCL also recognized Delray Beach in 1993 and 2001), a “Playful City USA” designation for providing 24 playgrounds for residents, and the recognition of Atlantic Avenue as one of the “10 Great American Shopping Streets” by USA Today. In 2012 during the nationally televised Best of the Road special, Delray Beach was chosen by Rand McNally, USA Today and the Travel Channel as the “Most Fun Small Town” in America. In 2014, USA Today named Delray as one of the “Best Atlantic Beaches in Florida.”
For more information about the Delray Beach Open please visit DelrayBeachOpen.com.
For more information about the ATP Tour, please visit http://www.ATPTour.com.
