What Is 2019 Winston-Salem Open - Doubles

Overview

The 2019 Winston-Salem Open – Doubles was a professional men's tennis doubles tournament held as part of the ATP Tour 250 series. It served as a key preparatory event for players ahead of the US Open, offering ranking points and prize money. Played on outdoor hard courts, the event attracted a competitive field of established and rising doubles specialists.

Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Neal Skupski of Great Britain emerged victorious, claiming their first title together as a team. Their triumph in Winston-Salem marked a breakthrough performance, defeating several top-seeded pairs en route to the championship. The final was held on August 24, 2019, concluding a week-long tournament.

• Champions: Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski won the title by defeating Alexander Dodig and Ivan Dodig in the final with a score of 6–3, 6–4.
• Tournament dates: The event ran from August 18 to August 24, 2019, aligning with the North American hard court season leading into the US Open.
• Location: Matches were played at the Wake Forest University Tennis Complex in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
• Surface: The tournament used outdoor hard courts, identical to those used at the US Open, helping players acclimate.
• ATP points: The winners earned 250 ATP ranking points, valuable for seeding in upcoming Grand Slam events.

How It Works

The Winston-Salem Open is structured as a standard ATP 250 tournament, featuring both singles and doubles competitions. The doubles draw typically includes 16 teams, with seeding based on ATP rankings. Matches are best-of-three sets, including a match tiebreak in lieu of a third set in most cases.

• Format:Doubles matches are played in a knockout format with 16 teams; winners advance until the final determines the champion.
• Seeding: The top four seeded pairs are determined by combined ATP rankings to prevent early-round matchups between top teams.
• Match structure: Matches use best-of-three sets, with a 10-point match tiebreak replacing the third set if needed.
• Prize money: The 2019 doubles event had a total purse of $589,000, with the champions splitting $71,220.
• Draw size: The doubles draw featured 16 teams, including direct acceptances, wild cards, and qualifiers.
• Player eligibility: Teams qualify based on ATP rankings, wild cards, or entry through the alternate list if withdrawals occur.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2019 Winston-Salem Open – Doubles compares to other ATP 250 events:

While all ATP 250 events award the same maximum of 250 ranking points, surface and timing influence player participation. Winston-Salem’s outdoor hard courts make it a strategic choice for players preparing for the US Open, unlike indoor or clay-court 250s held earlier in the year.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Winston-Salem Open – Doubles had significant implications for player rankings, team chemistry, and Grand Slam preparation. Its timing just before the US Open makes it a crucial tune-up event for doubles specialists aiming to build momentum.

• US Open prep: The identical hard court surface allows players to fine-tune their game under similar conditions.
• Rankings boost: Earning 250 ATP points helped Koolhof and Skupski improve their seeding in future tournaments.
• New partnerships: The title marked the first win for Koolhof and Skupski as a team, boosting their confidence.
• Wildcard opportunities: Strong performances can influence wildcard selections for Grand Slam events.
• Financial gain: The prize money, though modest compared to Grand Slams, contributes to players’ annual earnings and travel budgets.
• Exposure: Winning a U.S. summer swing event increases media visibility and sponsorship appeal.

Overall, the 2019 Winston-Salem Open – Doubles played a vital role in the ATP calendar, bridging the gap between summer hard court events and the final Grand Slam of the year.