What Is 2019 Winston-Salem Open

Overview

The 2019 Winston-Salem Open was a men's professional tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. As part of the ATP Tour 250 series, it served as a crucial warm-up event just before the US Open, attracting players seeking match rhythm and ranking points.

Featuring a 48-player singles draw and 16-team doubles field, the tournament drew several top-50 players despite the absence of top-ranked stars. Held annually since 2011, the 2019 edition marked the 51st overall iteration of the event, continuing its legacy as a key late-summer ATP stop.

• August 17–24, 2019: The tournament spanned eight days, beginning with qualifying rounds and concluding with the singles final on the last day.
• Damir Džumhur won his second career ATP title by defeating American Tennys Sandgren in the final with a score of 6–3, 6–1.
• Łukasz Kubot and João Sousa claimed the doubles title by defeating Marcelo Arévalo and Jonny O'Mara 7–6(5), 6–4 in the championship match.
• The event offered 250 ranking points and a total prize purse of $663,810, standard for an ATP 250 tournament.
• Matches were played on DecoTurf hard courts, the same surface used at the US Open, making it a strategic prep event for Flushing Meadows.

How It Works

The Winston-Salem Open operates as a standard ATP 250 event, following the structure and regulations set by the Association of Tennis Professionals. Players earn ranking points based on their performance, with progression through each round increasing their point accumulation and prize money earnings.

• Qualifying Rounds: Four players advanced to the main draw through qualifying held on August 16–17, offering early-round entry to lower-ranked professionals.
• Main Draw Format: The singles draw featured 48 players, including 7 wild cards and 4 qualifiers, with top-16 seeds receiving first-round byes.
• Ranking Points: The champion earned 250 ATP points, runner-up received 150, semifinalists 90, quarterfinalists 45, and first-round losers 10 points.
• Prize Money: The singles winner received $116,485, approximately 17.5% of the total purse, while doubles teams split their respective earnings.
• Player Participation: Notable entrants included John Isner, Denis Shapovalov, and Steve Johnson, though many top-10 players skipped the event to rest before the US Open.
• Seeding System: The top eight seeds were determined by ATP rankings as of August 12, 2019, with John Isner seeded first before his early exit in the second round.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2019 Winston-Salem Open compares to other similar-tier ATP events in terms of scale, prize money, and player field strength:

The Winston-Salem Open offered competitive prize money among ATP 250 events and provided valuable preparation for the US Open. Its timing and surface made it particularly attractive to players aiming to peak at the season's final Grand Slam.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Winston-Salem Open played a significant role in the ATP calendar, bridging the gap between European summer events and the US Open Series. It offered emerging players a chance to gain confidence and ranking points while allowing veterans to fine-tune their games on a familiar surface.

• Damir Džumhur’s victory marked his first ATP title in over two years, signaling a resurgence in his form after injury struggles.
• The tournament helped 12 players improve their ATP rankings, with several gaining enough points to qualify directly for the US Open main draw.
• Local economic impact was estimated at over $3 million, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and local businesses in Winston-Salem.
• It provided free youth clinics and community engagement programs, promoting tennis among North Carolina youth.
• The event continued its reputation for efficient organization and fan accessibility, with attendance averaging over 12,000 per day.
• As one of the final ATP events before the US Open, it offered crucial match practice and injury assessment opportunities for top contenders.

Overall, the 2019 Winston-Salem Open reinforced its status as a vital late-summer tournament, combining competitive tennis with community outreach and strategic importance on the professional tour.