The Nexo Dallas Open begins Saturday, and players have christened the court at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco. The Dallas Open launched five years ago, and Nexo became the first title sponsor of the tournament this year.
Grigor Dimitrov and John Isner played a volley on the court as construction crews finished getting stands in place.
"I'm very happy to be back," Dimitrov says. "It's so nice to be in Dallas. Being able to experience, not only the tournament, but Grant Chen, one of my best friends and coach at SMU, has been showing me around and giving me the background of the tournament and city."
"It's great," Isner says. "It's grown every single year. Last year, the first year here at The Star, was a huge success. I expect more of the same this year, but even better. The field is, in my mind, a little bit better than last year, and that's saying something. So many good players and so many good matches to watch."
Isner says players should adjust quickly to the court. The Nexo Dallas Open is the only ATP tour event in the United States played inside. The hardcourt is placed on top of the turf of the Cowboys' practice field.
"It's like a perfect indoor court. I think a lot of players would agree," he says. "I think the variance on a court like this will lie with the balls. As you beat up the balls, five, six, seven games in, they get a little fluffier and heavier."
He says hardcourts have less variance than a clay or grass court, so after a couple days of practice, athletes should have a feel for the surface.
"That was the goal when we started out here was, 'Let's build a tennis tournament on a football field,'" says Nexo Dallas Open Director Peter Lebedevs. "Year one was great, year two was even better. We're excited how we're improving everything for the players and the fans."
Lebedevs says improvements for the fans include more activities in the village outside. He says the tournament has also made seats more comfortable.
"We're excited with how we're really incorporating the fans and taking care of them even more," he says. "We want them to come back. We want them to tell their friends and say, 'Hey, you can't miss out on that experience.' The tennis is unbelievable. We all know that, but it's the other little things for the average person who might say, 'I'm not sure if I'm going to go.' But when you're this close to the athletes, that's so exciting. No other sports are this close."
He says the collegiate doubles wildcard can show kids just getting interested in tennis what they can achieve.
"We're giving a wildcard to Michael Zheng who plays at Columbia, but he used to train at our owners' tennis center. He got to hit with John Isner before he was 'somebody,' and he's now going to be playing in the main draw here at the Nexo Dallas Open. When I was talking to him, he said, 'I remember hitting with John,' and John remembers hitting with him. That's part of what we want to nurture in that up-and-coming player, really give them the opportunity," Lebedevs says.
He says fans came from 19 states and 17 countries last year, so the Nexo Dallas Open can also introduce fans from other places to the Metroplex. He says last year's event had a $51 million economic impact.
"That's tremendous for a nine day event," Lebedevs says. "We go out on TV to over 160 countries around the world, so our reach for the Dallas area is that large."
The Nexo Dallas Open runs from Saturday through Sunday, February 15. More information is available at https://www.dallasopen.com/en.