What Is 2011 Winston-Salem Open

Overview

The 2011 Winston-Salem Open marked the inaugural edition of the ATP tennis tournament held annually in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It replaced the Indianapolis Tennis Championships in the ATP calendar and was positioned the week before the US Open, serving as a crucial warm-up event for players transitioning from summer hard courts.

This tournament was part of the ATP World Tour 250 series and featured a 48-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw. Played on outdoor hard courts at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex, it attracted a mix of established ATP professionals and rising talents looking to gain momentum ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year.

• Event Dates: The tournament ran from August 21 to August 27, 2011, aligning with the pre-US Open ATP schedule.
• Location: Matches were held at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex on the campus of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC.
• Surface: The event was played on outdoor hard courts, identical to the surface used at the US Open in Flushing Meadows.
• ATP Classification: It was an ATP World Tour 250 level tournament, offering 250 ranking points to the singles champion.
• Prize Money: The total prize purse was $575,000 USD, typical for events in the 250 series tier.

How It Works

The Winston-Salem Open followed standard ATP tournament structure, with single-elimination draws in both singles and doubles, seeded players, and best-of-three-set matches (except the final).

• Draw Size: The singles draw included 48 players, with 16 seeded and 12 qualifiers advancing from preliminary rounds.
• Seeding: Top seed John Isner (USA) entered ranked No. 20 in the world and received a first-round bye.
• Final Match: Isner defeated Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) in the championship, winning 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 after a comeback in the second set.
• Doubles Champions: The title was won by Michaël Llodra (FRA) and Mark Knowles (BAH), defeating Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski.
• Qualifying Rounds: Held August 20–21, 12 players emerged from qualifying to join the main singles draw.
• Player Participation: The event attracted several top-50 players, including Isner, Baghdatis, and Kei Nishikori, using it as US Open preparation.

Comparison at a Glance

Compared to other ATP 250 events in 2011, the Winston-Salem Open stood out due to its timing and location.

While the Winston-Salem Open shared surface and timing with other U.S. summer hard-court events, its $575,000 purse and post-Indianapolis scheduling made it a strategic choice for players aiming to peak at the US Open. The shift from Indianapolis to Winston-Salem reflected the ATP's efforts to stabilize tournament locations and boost attendance in new markets.

Why It Matters

The 2011 Winston-Salem Open played a significant role in the ATP calendar, especially for American players and those fine-tuning their game before the US Open.

• US Open Preparation: The tournament offered real-match experience on similar hard courts, helping players adjust to US Open conditions.
• Boost for Local Tennis: Winston-Salem gained prominence as a tennis host city, boosting tourism and local engagement.
• John Isner’s Momentum: Isner’s win provided a confidence boost, contributing to his strong US Open performance later that year.
• Tournament Relocation: The move from Indianapolis to Winston-Salem ensured the continuity of a U.S. summer ATP event.
• Player Development: Younger players used the event to earn ranking points and gain experience against top competition.
• ATP Calendar Stability: The event helped maintain a consistent pre-US Open schedule, benefiting player preparation and fan engagement.

Overall, the 2011 Winston-Salem Open was more than just another ATP 250 tournament—it was a strategic, well-timed event that enhanced player readiness, supported the ATP tour structure, and established a new tennis tradition in North Carolina.