What Is 2017 Winston-Salem Open – Singles

Overview

The 2017 Winston-Salem Open – Singles was an ATP men's tennis tournament held on hard courts as part of the US Open Series. It took place from August 20 to 26, 2017, at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, serving as a final preparation event for players before the US Open.

As an ATP World Tour 250-level tournament, it attracted a mix of established professionals and rising stars. The event featured a 48-player singles draw, with seeded players receiving first-round byes, and followed a standard single-elimination format.

• Grigor Dimitrov won the title by defeating Ryan Harrison in the final with a score of 6–4, 6–4, marking a breakthrough performance ahead of the US Open.
• The tournament spanned seven days, beginning with qualifying rounds and culminating in the final on August 26, 2017.
• Dimitrov earned 250 ATP ranking points and a first-prize purse of $115,235 for his championship victory.
• As the top seed, Dimitrov did not drop a set throughout the tournament, showcasing dominant form across five matches.
• The event was the 49th edition of the Winston-Salem Open, which has been held annually since 1971, with a move to Winston-Salem in 2011.

How It Works

The Winston-Salem Open follows standard ATP tournament procedures, including player seeding, draw scheduling, and point allocation based on performance. Matches are best-of-three sets, with tiebreaks used in each set except the final set, which may go to a deciding tiebreak.

• ATP 250 Series: This tournament is classified as an ATP 250 event, meaning the winner earns 250 ranking points, contributing to their world standing.
• Player Draw: The singles draw included 48 players, with 16 seeded players receiving first-round byes, reducing their path to the title by one match.
• Hard Court Surface: Played on outdoor hard courts, the surface favors aggressive baseline play and fast rallies, common in the US Open Series.
• Seeding System: Players are seeded based on ATP rankings, with the top eight seeds distributed to avoid early matchups among top contenders.
• Prize Money: The 2017 event had a total prize purse of $617,675, with the champion receiving $115,235.
• Wildcard Entries: A limited number of wildcards were awarded, including one to American Jack Sock, who entered the main draw despite not being ranked high enough.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2017 Winston-Salem Open can be compared to other ATP 250 events in terms of prize money, points, and player participation.

This comparison highlights that the Winston-Salem Open offered competitive prize money, on par with other ATP 250 events, and was particularly significant due to its timing just before the US Open. Its hard court surface made it a preferred tune-up for Grand Slam contenders, unlike clay-court ATP 250s in Europe.

Why It Matters

The 2017 Winston-Salem Open – Singles had notable implications for player rankings, Grand Slam preparation, and tournament prestige. It provided critical ranking points and match experience during a crucial phase of the tennis calendar.

• Dimitrov’s win propelled him into strong contention for a top-10 year-end ranking, eventually finishing 2017 at No. 3.
• The tournament served as a springboard for Dimitrov’s breakthrough 2017 ATP Finals victory, where he defeated Nadal and others.
• For American players like Ryan Harrison, reaching the final boosted domestic interest and media coverage in U.S. tennis.
• The event strengthened Winston-Salem’s reputation as a key stop on the US Open Series, enhancing local economic impact.
• With over 35,000 attendees, the tournament demonstrated strong fan engagement and support for ATP events in smaller markets.
• The success of the 2017 edition helped secure future sponsorships and tournament extensions through 2020.

Overall, the 2017 Winston-Salem Open was more than just a warm-up tournament—it was a pivotal moment in Grigor Dimitrov’s career resurgence and a vital component of the ATP Tour’s summer swing.