What Is 2018 Winston-Salem Open

Overview

The 2018 Winston-Salem Open was a men's professional tennis event on the ATP Tour, classified as an ATP 250 tournament. Held annually in North Carolina, it serves as a key warm-up event for the US Open, attracting players seeking match practice on hard courts.

This edition marked the 50th anniversary of the tournament, originally founded in 1968. Played at the Wake Forest Tennis Center, it featured a full draw of 48 singles players and 16 doubles teams competing for ranking points and prize money.

• August 19–25, 2018: The tournament spanned seven days, concluding just one week before the start of the US Open in New York.
• ATP 250 status: The event offered 250 ranking points to the singles champion, aligning with other mid-tier ATP events on the calendar.
• Prize money: The total purse was $2,125,430, with the singles winner receiving $370,210 and 250 ATP points.
• Surface: Matches were played on outdoor hard courts, identical to the US Open surface, making it a strategic preparatory tournament.
• Attendance: Over 55,000 fans attended the week-long event, reflecting its strong regional support and growing national profile.

How Players Compete

The Winston-Salem Open follows a standard ATP 250 tournament structure, with players progressing through a single-elimination bracket based on performance. Seeds are determined by ATP rankings, and byes are awarded to top players in the early rounds.

• Single-Elimination Format: Players must win each match to advance; a single loss results in elimination from the tournament. This creates high stakes from the first round.
• Seeding System: The top 8 players are seeded based on ATP rankings to prevent early matchups between top contenders, ensuring competitive balance in later rounds.
• Qualifying Rounds: 24 players compete in a pre-tournament draw for 8 spots in the main singles field, giving lower-ranked players a path to ATP points.
• Doubles Competition: A 16-team bracket uses the same elimination rules, with teams earning 250 points for winning the title and $118,400 in prize money.
• Match Format: All matches are best-of-three sets, with a tiebreak at 6–6 in each set, including the final set, to ensure timely completion.
• Player Withdrawals: In 2018, notable players like Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic withdrew before the event, opening opportunities for qualifiers and lower seeds.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2018 Winston-Salem Open compares to other ATP tournaments in terms of level, prize money, and points awarded:

While the Winston-Salem Open offers fewer points than ATP 500 or Grand Slam events, its timing and surface make it a valuable opportunity for players to gain rhythm before the US Open. The prize money is competitive for an ATP 250, especially in the Americas.

Why It Matters

The 2018 Winston-Salem Open played a crucial role in shaping late-season momentum for several players, especially those outside the top 10. Its position on the calendar allows competitors to fine-tune their games on hard courts just before the final Grand Slam of the year.

• Breakthrough victory: Damir Džumhur won his first ATP title here, boosting his ranking from No. 87 to inside the top 50.
• US Open preparation: Players like Steve Johnson and Pierre-Hugues Herbert used the event to test form and fitness ahead of Flushing Meadows.
• Wildcard opportunities: American players often receive wildcards, supporting domestic talent development and fan engagement.
• Historic milestone: The 2018 edition celebrated the tournament’s 50th anniversary, highlighting its longevity and resilience.
• Surface consistency: The identical hard courts to the US Open make it a reliable training and competitive environment.
• Global participation: The draw included players from 20+ countries, reflecting the ATP Tour’s international reach and appeal.

Overall, the 2018 Winston-Salem Open served as both a competitive proving ground and a celebration of tennis history, contributing meaningfully to the ATP calendar and player development.