WASHINGTON — After returning from Wimbledon, I’m excited to share some local news as my hometown tournament kicks off in Washington DC.
This event, which has been running since 1969, holds special memories for me. I remember winning tickets to the final in 1996 through a radio contest and watching Michael Chang defeat Wayne Ferreira with my dad from the upper deck.
It’s impressive to see how this tournament has evolved: now a combined men’s and women’s event, it has flourished even as other U.S. tournaments have declined, such as the one previously held in Atlanta during this week last year.
The future of this tournament looks bright in Washington, largely thanks to local businessman Mark Ein, a former ballboy and current owner since 2019. Ein’s hands-on approach is evident; he actively addresses all issues, big or small, that arise during the tournament.
Ein recently shared how his relentless dedication caught the attention of fellow passengers on a flight back from Greece, as he worked through the entire journey. “I didn’t eat or watch anything; it was pretty busy for me,” he recounted.
The Mubadala Citi DC Open, the only combined ATP 500/WTA 500 event since the WTA’s upgrade in 2023, is starting closer to the tail-end of Wimbledon than usual this year, due to expanded 1000 events pushing the calendar forward. During our interview, we discussed strategies, prize money equality, and the surprise return of Venus Williams to competition this year.
Regarding the entry list impacted by the new calendar, Ein noted their success is partly due to being the only combined 500 event in the world. A stronger player experience has also contributed to the tournament’s appeal, bolstered by a loyal local fan base and a high number of American players participating.
