What Is 2017 Winston-Salem Open

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Winston-Salem Open was an ATP 250 tennis tournament held from August 19 to August 26, 2017, at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Grigor Dimitrov won the singles title, defeating Pablo Carreño Busta in the final with a score of 6–4, 6–4.

Key Facts

Tournament dates: August 19–26, 2017
Grigor Dimitrov won the singles title
Pablo Carreño Busta was the runner-up
Dimitrov defeated Carreño Busta 6–4, 6–4 in the final
The event was part of the ATP 250 series

Overview

The 2017 Winston-Salem Open was a men’s professional tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It served as a crucial warm-up event for players preparing for the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season.

As an ATP 250-level tournament, it attracted a mix of top-ranked players and rising stars looking to gain momentum on the North American hard court circuit. The 2017 edition marked the ninth year the event was held in Winston-Salem, continuing its role in the summer US Open Series.

Event duration: The tournament ran from August 19 to August 26, 2017, spanning eight days of competitive matches across singles and doubles draws.
Champion:Grigor Dimitrov claimed his first title of the 2017 season by winning the singles championship, defeating Pablo Carreño Busta in straight sets.
Final score: Dimitrov won the final with a decisive 6–4, 6–4 victory, showcasing strong baseline play and consistent serving.
Prize money: The total prize purse was $697,680, with Dimitrov earning $116,325 for his championship win.
Surface: Matches were played on outdoor hard courts, identical to those used at the US Open, making it ideal preparation for Flushing Meadows.

How It Works

The Winston-Salem Open follows the standard ATP Tour format for men’s professional tennis, featuring a 48-player singles draw and 16-team doubles draw, with matches played in best-of-three sets.

Draw Size: The singles draw included 48 players, with 16 seeded and 16 receiving direct entry based on ATP rankings, plus wild cards and qualifiers.
Qualifying Rounds:Qualifying matches occurred August 19–20, with 16 players competing for eight spots in the main singles draw through best-of-three-set matches.
Seeding:Top seed was Steve Johnson, ranked No. 29 globally, while Dimitrov entered as the fifth seed despite being ranked No. 28 at the time.
Tournament Structure: The event used a single-elimination format, with winners advancing through round of 48, round of 32, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.
Doubles Competition: The doubles title was won by Philipp Petzschner and Tim Pütz, who defeated Nicholas Monroe and John-Patrick Smith 6–2, 6–3 in the final.
Player Participation: Several top players skipped the event, but 10 of the top 50 ATP players participated, including Dimitrov and Carreño Busta.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 Winston-Salem Open compared to other ATP 250 events in terms of prize money, draw size, and player participation:

Tournament	Prize Money	Draw Size	Surface	2017 Winner
Winston-Salem Open	$697,680	48 singles	Hard	Grigor Dimitrov
Swiss Open (Gstaad)	$525,800	28 singles	Clay	Mathias Bourgue
Los Cabos Open	$543,500	28 singles	Hard	Sam Querrey
Atlanta Open	$630,750	28 singles	Hard	John Isner
Vienna Open	$702,550	32 singles	Hard	Roger Federer

The Winston-Salem Open stood out among ATP 250 events due to its larger 48-player draw and timing just before the US Open. Its prize fund was competitive, ranking among the top tier of 250-level tournaments, and it consistently drew high-caliber players seeking match practice on hard courts.

Why It Matters

The 2017 Winston-Salem Open played a strategic role in the ATP calendar, offering players a final opportunity to fine-tune their games before the US Open. Its results often foreshadowed early success at the Grand Slam, as seen with Dimitrov’s subsequent strong performance in New York.

US Open Preparation: The tournament’s identical hard court surface to the US Open allowed players to adapt to conditions they would face in Flushing Meadows.
Ranking Points: The winner earned 250 ATP ranking points, crucial for improving seeding and entry into future tournaments.
Player Momentum: Dimitrov’s victory marked a turning point in his season, leading to a run to the US Open semifinals and a year-end top-10 ranking.
Local Impact: The event brought over 50,000 spectators to Winston-Salem, boosting tourism and local business revenue.
Media Exposure: Broadcast partnerships with Tennis Channel and ESPN provided extensive U.S. coverage, increasing visibility for lesser-known ATP events.
Tournament Legacy: The 2017 edition reinforced Winston-Salem’s reputation as a reliable and well-run ATP stop, contributing to its continued hosting rights.

Overall, the 2017 Winston-Salem Open was more than just another ATP 250 event—it was a pivotal moment for players, fans, and the city itself, combining competitive tennis with broader cultural and economic significance.