What Is 2015 Winston-Salem Open

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 Winston-Salem Open was an ATP 250 tennis tournament held from August 23 to 29, 2015, at the Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Kevin Anderson won the singles title, defeating Lukáš Rosol in the final.

Key Facts

Tournament held from August 23–29, 2015
ATP 250-level event on the men's professional tour
Played on hard courts at Wake Forest University
Kevin Anderson won the singles title
Lukáš Rosol was the runner-up in singles

Overview

The 2015 Winston-Salem Open was a men's professional tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts as part of the ATP World Tour 250 series. Held annually in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, it served as a key warm-up event for the US Open, attracting top players preparing for the final Grand Slam of the season.

This edition marked the seventh running of the tournament in Winston-Salem, which relocated from New Haven in 2011. The 2015 event featured a full 48-player singles draw and 16-team doubles draw, with prize money totaling $743,000. Matches were held at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex, drawing thousands of fans over the week.

August 23–29, 2015 was the official tournament week, directly preceding the US Open main draw, allowing players to transition smoothly into Grand Slam competition.
The tournament was classified as an ATP 250 event, offering 250 ranking points to the singles champion, which helped players fine-tune their form and seeding.
Kevin Anderson claimed his first title of the 2015 season by winning the singles championship, defeating Lukáš Rosol in straight sets, 6–7(9), 6–4, 6–1.
The event featured a strong field, including Marin Čilić, the defending champion, who was eliminated in the second round by Pablo Carreño Busta.
Prize money was set at $743,000, with the singles winner receiving $116,000 and 250 ATP ranking points, typical for an ATP 250 tournament.

How It Works

The Winston-Salem Open follows the standard structure of ATP 250 tournaments, combining qualifying rounds with a main draw in both singles and doubles. Players earn ranking points and prize money based on how far they advance in the tournament.

Singles Draw: A 48-player main draw with 16 seeded players. The top 16 seeds received first-round byes, reducing early-round fatigue for higher-ranked entrants.
Doubles Draw: A 16-team draw with standard best-of-three sets, including a match tiebreak in place of a third set, common in ATP events.
Hard Courts: The tournament used Laykold hard courts, the same surface used at the US Open, making it ideal for players adjusting to New York conditions.
Qualifying Rounds: Held over two days, with 24 players competing for eight spots in the main singles draw through best-of-three set matches.
Player Participation: Many top-50 players use this event to prepare for the US Open; in 2015, entrants included John Isner and Ernests Gulbis.
ATP Rankings: Points awarded ranged from 250 for the champion to 0 for first-round losers, influencing seeding for the upcoming US Open.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2015 Winston-Salem Open with other similar ATP 250 events held in August 2015:

Tournament	Location	Surface	Prize Money	2015 Singles Champion
Winston-Salem Open	Winston-Salem, USA	Hard	$743,000	Kevin Anderson
Atlanta Open	Atlanta, USA	Hard	$575,700	Kevin Anderson
US Men's Clay Court Championship	Houston, USA	Clay	$575,700	Jack Sock
Swiss Open	Gstaad, Switzerland	Clay	$1,000,000	Tommy Robredo
Chennai Open	Chennai, India	Hard	$425,000	Stan Wawrinka

The Winston-Salem Open stood out due to its timing and surface, aligning perfectly with the US Open Series. While prize money was higher than some comparable events like Chennai, it was slightly less than Atlanta’s total. However, its hard court surface and late-August scheduling made it a preferred tune-up for Grand Slam contenders. The tournament also benefited from strong attendance and media coverage, enhancing its reputation on the ATP calendar.

Why It Matters

The 2015 Winston-Salem Open played a significant role in the lead-up to the US Open, offering players a competitive environment to test their form. Its inclusion in the US Open Series also meant performance here could influence bonus incentives and public momentum heading into Flushing Meadows.

Transitional Role: The tournament provided a critical bridge between summer hard-court events and the US Open, helping players adjust to surface and scheduling demands.
Ranking Impact: Kevin Anderson’s victory lifted him into better US Open seeding, demonstrating how ATP 250 wins can shape Grand Slam draws.
Player Development: Younger or lower-ranked players used the event to gain experience against top-tier competition in a Grand Slam-like setting.
Economic Benefit: The event brought over $3 million in economic impact to Winston-Salem, supporting local businesses and tourism.
Media Exposure: Broadcast by Tennis Channel and streamed globally, it increased visibility for both the city and the ATP Tour.
Tournament Legacy: The 2015 edition reinforced Winston-Salem’s status as a reliable host, contributing to its continued presence on the ATP calendar through 2024.

Overall, the 2015 Winston-Salem Open was more than just a preparatory tournament—it was a pivotal moment in the season for players, organizers, and fans alike, blending competitive tennis with regional significance and global reach.