The BB&T Atlanta Open has historically been a men’s affair since its 2010 inception. Seven years later, it’s emphatically shattering the gender barrier with a global icon.
Venus Williams is returning to Atlanta for the first time since 2004. She’ll face Eugenie Bouchard, Canada’s No. 1 player, in an exhibition match July 23.
It will be the first women’s match in Atlanta Open history.
“It’s awesome,” Williams said during media day Tuesday. “I can’t believe I haven’t played more in Atlanta in my career. It’s such a huge tennis town … It’s nice to hear that people are excited.”
The milestone occasion will also be new for Williams. For the first time in her illustrious career, she’ll be the first female playing in a traditionally male tournament.
“I don’t think I’ve had the opportunity,” she said. “… It will be, I feel like, the icing on the cake. It’s a special moment.”
Williams is commonly regarded as one of the most recognizable and successful athletes of all-time, having won seven Grand Slam singles, 14 Grand Slam doubles and four Olympic gold medals.
Bouchard and Williams split their previous two meetings, both three-set matches in 2013 and 2014.
Eddie Gonzalez, the Atlanta Open’s director and chief development officer, said hosting their third competition is a coup.
“We want to be a mini-U.S. Open,” Gonzalez said. “What makes the U.S. Open so special is having men and women. So having men and women, even if it’s just on a one-night exhibition, having Venus … is really a special opportunity for us. We have two of the most well-known female professionals (and that) is something we’re excited about.”
Williams shares an agent with 2016 Atlanta Open winner Nick Kyrgios, which paved the way for negotiation. Gonzalez said the parties opened dialogue before the Australian Open, finalized the deal quickly and announced it in March.
“Growing up in the business environment, we don’t ever want to play for second place,” Gonzalez said. “We want the best. We talk about a world class community, world class talent in a world class venue … This was our chance to take a big step forward. We are pleased. We got one of the premium stars of not just tennis, but sports.”
Heath Campbell, president of BB&T’s northern Atlanta region, said Williams and Atlanta mesh perfectly.
“Our community is not just representative of men’s tennis. It’s female and men’s tennis,” he said. “When we started to analyze all the successes and when we’ve done things right and areas that we can do better, it made a lot of sense to bring women’s tennis to Atlanta. The fact we have someone with this star-power … I think Venus represents everything about our community that makes Atlanta unique, special and great. … We think it’s a pretty big deal.”
Williams said when presented the offer, she couldn’t decline.
“I haven’t had the opportunity to play in Atlanta for a decade,” she said. “So that’s a really long time. A lot of times I’ll take opportunities based on what makes me excited. At this point in my career, I’ve done so much that I really want to do the opportunities that mean something to me, not necessarily every tournament. … The things I do mean something.”
Her visit also means something to Christopher Eubanks. A Georgia Tech star and two-time ACC player of the year, Eubanks is one of the wild-cards slated to participate. He met Williams briefly five years ago while traveling with Donald Young in Madrid, but he couldn’t hide his excitement of seeing Williams again.
“I can’t wait to be able to get out here and hopefully meet her, see her play” Eubanks said. “I met her one other time, but to be able to do it again and to say we’re playing in the same tournament is awesome.”
Kenny Thorne, Georgia Tech’s men’s tennis coach, agreed that Williams and Bouchard are difference-makers for the city. He added their presence should inspire young athletes in the area.
Despite a loaded schedule, Williams said she’ll explore assisting in local youth events before the tournament. She wants to continue shaping young lives, even past her playing career.
“I love the idea of (young people) in sports, especially tennis because of what tennis has done for me,” Williams said. “I’ve been involved with lots of different programs as well and I’ve done great jobs with tennis and education. And for me, I like to see those mired together. Not everyone is going to play professional, but you can tie both together to create something very powerful. The things you learn in sports … and also education, is very powerful. I think that’s where I see myself going, especially when my career is over and I have more time.”
The Atlanta Open is one of the USTA’s run-ups to the U.S. Open. It will take place July 22-30.
