| COCO GAUFF TO PLAY REIGNING NCAA SINGLES CHAMPION ESTELA PEREZ-SOMARRIBA IN FIRST-EVER WOMEN’S MATCH AT DELRAY BEACH OPEN BY VITACOST.COM |
| DECEMBER 23, 2019, DELRAY BEACH, FL – Today, the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com (https://yellowtennisball.com/) announced that global teen tennis star and local Delray Beach resident Coco Gauff will play 2019 NCAA Division I Singles Champion Estela Perez-Somarriba in the first women’s match held in the event’s history on Saturday, February 15th at 7 p.m. Cori “Coco” Gauff made her splash on the tennis scene earlier this year at Wimbledon receiving a wild card into the singles qualifying tournament where she won consecutive straight-set matches before defeating Venus Williams in the first round and advancing to the second week. Following that, Gauff went on to capture her first WTA doubles title in Washington D.C. followed by her first WTA singles title in Linz, Austria. A Florida native who has captured the attention of tennis fans around the world and in her hometown, the former no. 1 junior in the world has risen from #686 in the WTA singles rankings prior to Wimbledon to her current ranking, #68. Taking on Gauff will be University of Miami Senior and 2019 NCAA Division I Singles Champion, Estela Perez-Somarriba, who is coming off of one of the best seasons in her collegiate career boasting a 43-5 win/loss record in singles during the 2018-2019 season and claiming the second NCAA Division I Singles Championship title in the program’s history. The third player in program history to reach the Sweet 16 three times, and the second to do so in back-to-back years, Perez-Somarriba received the Honda Sport Award for Tennis, was named ACC Player of the Year, ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, ITA All-American (singles), ITA Collegiate All-Star Team, First Team All-ACC, All-ACC Academic Team, and received the ITA Southeast Region Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship & Leadership Award amongst other awards. “This will be a test, for both players. Not just their tennis, as both are obviously playing fantastic right now, but their minds as well, playing in front of a lot of fans with Coco growing up here and Estela playing her college tennis in South Florida,” said Mark Baron, Delray Beach Open Tournament Director. “It’s going to be a spirited match and a loud crowd.” |
| Delray Beach Teen Tennis Sensation Coco Gauff – Photo Credit New Balance |
| Following their match, Gauff and Perez-Somarriba will head to the VITACOST.com sponsor booth for a special autograph signing open to all fans in attendance. The 10-day tournament will open Valentine’s Day weekend with an ATP Champions Tour legends event. The Team World vs. Team Europe match-up will showcase tennis greats David Ferrer, James Blake, Tommy Haas, Marcos Baghdatis and other fan-favorites. Tickets are now available for the opening weekend schedule of matches as follows: SESSION 1: Fri., Feb. 146:00 p.m. Haas vs. LevineNB 8:00 pm Ferrer vs. Blake SESSION 2: Sat., Feb.1512:30 p.m. Blake vs. BaghdatisNB 2:30 p.m. Ferrer vs. Levine SESSION 3: Sat., Feb.155:30 p.m. Baghdatis/Pernfors vs. Spadea/KriekNB 7:00 p.m. Coco Gauff vs. Estela Perez-SomarribaNB 8:30 p.m. Haas vs. Spadea SESSION 4: Sun., Feb.1612:30 p.m. Baghdatis/Ferrer vs. Spadea/LevineNB 2:30 pm Haas vs. Blake On President’s Day Monday, Feb. 17, the game’s reigning stars take center court for the ATP 250 event. Fans can book now for the tournament’s “Super Tuesday” featuring Juan Martin del Potro, Kei Nishikori, Nick Kyrgios, Milos Raonic and the winningest team of all-time Bob and Mike Bryan kicking off their final Tour appearance in Delray Beach on Wednesday night. Tickets can be purchased now for the following pre-scheduled ATP 250 matches: SESSION 7: Tues., Feb. 1812:30 p.m. Milos Raonic vs. TBDNB 2:30 p.m. Kei Nishikori vs. TBD SESSION 8: Tues., Feb. 186:00 p.m. Nick Kyrgios vs. TBDNB 8:00 p.m. Juan Martin del Potro vs. TBD SESSION 10: Wed., Feb. 196:00 p.m. 2nd Rounds Singles MatchNB 8 p.m. Bob and Mike Bryan (the “Bryan Brothers”) vs. TBD |
| 2019 NCAA Singles Champion Estela Perez Somarriba – Photo Credit JC Ridley Miami Athletics |
| For those who are hands-on tennis fans, they can get on-court and play with the tournament’s players, or purchase tickets for their loved ones, for the following one-on-one opportunities:Legends Clinic: Featuring ATP Champions Tour players, train one-on-one with members of Team World and Team Europe including James Blake, Tommy Haas, David Ferrer, Marcos Baghdatis and more. Cost $599 + tax per person.ATP Doubles Pro-Am: An opportunity to “partner-up” with doubles players competing in the main draw at Delray Beach Open. Cost: $500 + tax per person.Bryan Brothers Clinic: A once-in-a-lifetime and final opportunity to learn from the winningest doubles team – the Bryan Brothers – in an exclusive one-hour clinic. Cost $599 + tax per person. Whether you’re spending all 10 days at “The Beach” or a few preferred sessions, the tournament offers a perfect ticket for everyone. Aside from the above promotional offers, individual tickets for all sessions are on sale now and start as low as $30. The economical “Flex-Three” package offers 20% off box and reserved stadium court seats when three or more tournament sessions are purchased (offer ends January 19, 2020 and excludes the Sunday ATP 250 Finals, February 23, 2020). Tennis fans can also take advantage of the “Daily Double” special with ticket buyers receiving 10% off box and reserved stadium court seats when tickets are purchased for the day and evening session for the same day (offer ends January 19, 2020). See the full lineup of offers, parties, special events, food and beverage options and more at YellowTennisBall.com or call 561-330-6000.### |
| To view all press releases, visit: www.yellowtennisball.com/releases/ |
| Disclaimer – Match schedule, including number of sessions, dates, times, number of matches and players scheduled are subject to change. Tickets are not eligible for refund or exchange. |
| About The Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com: The only tournament in the world featuring an ATP Champions Tour event and an ATP Tour event in the same week at the same venue is held in Delray Beach, Florida, February 14-23 at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center. The ATP Tour’s first North American hard court event of the outdoor season is one of just 10 ATP World Tour events in the United States. 2020 will be its 22nd year in Delray Beach, and 28th overall. The 3-day, ATP Champions Tour team-event is in its 11th year and was the first-ever event played on US soil. Each year the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com brings world-class tennis players and thousands of visitors to Delray Beach and Palm Beach County. In 2010, the tournament received the Discover The Palm Beaches Florida’s annual Providencia Award for its extraordinary contribution to tourism. The City of Delray Beach was also a finalist for the USTA’s “Best Tennis Town” Award and in 2003, the tournament was the recipient of an “ATP Award of Excellence.” For more information please visit www.YellowTennisBall.com. About the ATP: The ATP is the governing body of the men’s professional tennis circuits – the ATP Tour, the ATP Challenger Tour and the ATP Champions Tour. With 63 tournaments in 30 countries, the 2020 ATP Tour showcases the finest male athletes competing in the world’s most exciting venues. From Australia to Europe and the Americas to Asia, the stars of the 2020 ATP Tour will battle for prestigious titles and ATP Rankings points at ATP Masters 1000, 500 and 250 events, as well as Grand Slams (non-ATP events). At the end of the season only the world’s top 8 qualified singles players and doubles teams will qualify to compete for the last title of the season at the Nitto ATP Finals. Held at The O2 in London, the event will officially crown the 2020 ATP Tour No. 1. For more information, please visit www.ATPTour.com. About the ATP Champions Tour: The ATP Champions Tour brings together many of the greatest tennis players in history for nostalgic, competitive and entertaining tournaments around the world. Players are either formerly ranked No. 1 in the world in singles, a Grand Slam singles champion or finalist, or a singles player on a winning Davis Cup team. Players must be retired from ATP Tour competition and each event can invite wild card entrants of its choice. The Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com features a 3-day team-format. About The City of Delray Beach: In the southeast corner of Palm Beach County on the Atlantic seashore, a Village by the Sea that began as an agricultural community in 1895 has become one of Florida’s most popular destinations for visitors, new families and seasonal residents. The City of Delray Beach encompasses slightly over 16 square miles with a permanent population of nearly 65,000 and growing. The City’s charm continues to garner national awards, including three in 2017: an “All-America City” award from the National Civic League for literacy strides (the city was also recognized in 1993 and 2001), a “Playful City USA” designation for providing 24 playgrounds for residents, and the recognition of Atlantic Ave as one of the “10 Great American Shopping Streets” by USA Today. In 2012 during the nationally televised “Best of the Road” special, Delray Beach was chosen by Rand McNally, USA Today and the Travel Channel as the “Most Fun Small Town” in America. In 2014, USA Today named it as one of the “Best Atlantic Beaches in Florida.” |
Coco Gauff · Delray Beach Open
Jon King · December 24, 2019 at 8:27 am
Delray Beach is a fun little tournament. Several of the kids in our group do the ball kid thing. One got to work a del Potro match last year and she was giddy for days afterwards!
Scoop Malinowski · December 24, 2019 at 9:19 am
Delray Beach is a very appealing event and it always has high quality draws. Great tennis experience. And now it will feature a WTA match too. Seniors, ATP and now WTA all in one week. I wonder if one single ATP player will go out to watch Coco play?
catherine · December 24, 2019 at 9:27 am
Let me guess – is Gauff the first woman to appear at Delray Beach in a playing capacity ?
Scoop Malinowski · December 24, 2019 at 9:43 am
I believe the WTA had a tournament in Delray many many moons ago, also a Fed Cup tie was played there.
Jon King · December 24, 2019 at 10:25 am
Gauff grew up in the area and practiced a bunch on the local courts. Her family owns a sports bar in town.
Some of the Gauff hype things have been a bit cringe worthy…..but an exhibition like this makes perfect sense since she has close ties to the town.
Hartt · December 24, 2019 at 10:31 am
If Andy Murray were playing Delray Beach, I bet he would go out to watch Coco. I guess as a retired player James Blake doesn’t count as an “ATP player,” but you can imagine him watching her because he is playing the team event there. As far as Delpo, Kyrgios, Milos and Kei, somehow I doubt it.
Jon King · December 24, 2019 at 4:05 pm
To be fair, not really an indictment on ATP players. Gauff has 1 win ever against a top 50 player.
If you went to a WTA event and told the players a 15 year old guy is playing an exhibition vs a college player, this guy is ranked 70th, and he has 1 win ever against a top 50 player….I doubt even one of them would go watch either.
Scoop Malinowski · December 24, 2019 at 4:56 pm
Jon, I guarantee you Coco will slay a top ten player this year and maybe a top five too. Maybe a no. 1.
Jon King · December 24, 2019 at 6:38 pm
Scoop, she already beat a top 10, Bertens. Thats the top 50 I was thinking of. And she will beat more top players in her career.
I was just saying I doubt many WTA players would go watch an exhibition of the 70th ranked ATP player of any age vs a college guy so the fact no ATP guys in Delray would watch is not a slam on them or her. I would think most players have seen young prodigies of various ages all along their journey and know to wait for results before thinking someone is a can not miss, must see.
Hingis, Austin, Seles won Grand Slams at 16, Pova, Sanchez at 17. From the hype, I would expect thats the goal of Gauff and her camp next year since she turns 16 in March.
Scoop Malinowski · December 25, 2019 at 6:01 pm
Gauff vs Ostapenko on Tennis Channel now as we speak. Overhype continues for Gauff, just wait till the season starts, they might broadcast her matches three times a day. They should just induct her into Newport now. It may be a mistake for Tennis Channel to over saturate the market with too much Gauff, instead of letting the demand create itself. Some may already be getting sick of too much of it. Questionable moves by Tennis Channel. Let the star earn their star power instead of appointing it at age 15.
Jon King · December 25, 2019 at 6:39 pm
Wow, again? They showed like 4 of her matches last week also.
Harold · December 25, 2019 at 7:47 pm
Gauff will never play on an outer court again.. without ever winning anything ..should piss off a lot of veterans
Scoop Malinowski · December 25, 2019 at 7:56 pm
Media will protect the womens tennis savior and golden child. The entire establishment wants her to be the next face of tennis. She will get preferential treatment and special privilege from here on out.
Scoop Malinowski · December 25, 2019 at 7:57 pm
Jon, every day I check on TC and see her old matches.
Jon King · December 25, 2019 at 9:16 pm
Like Hartt said, lots of motivated opponents no doubt.
Seems like she has gone from the cute story teen who opponent’s dreaded playing because no one wants to lose to the new kid, to the ‘big name’ opponent viewed as a prize if they beat her.
The only problem is the big name is more result of media, WTA, her dad, Patrick M., and the Tennis Channel that it is from winning huge tournaments like past big names had to do first.
Jon King · December 26, 2019 at 12:10 am
This Gauff thing gets very strange. Her grandmother is suing her father because she bought the sports bar in Delray Beach for $500,000. Once it started making money she says her son forced her out of the business and is keeping the money for himself.
Co Co is under 18 so you have to wonder whats going on financially with dad running the show. If his own mother is suing him, wow, what a mess.
Harold · December 26, 2019 at 8:05 am
Gruff will play night matches at the Open, and featured day matches over Labor Day weekend if she’s still in the tournament..
The WTA will tell the rest of the players” she’s our new meal ticket into the next ten years, Bite your tongues and lets hope she makes us all a ton of money”
catherine · December 26, 2019 at 8:23 am
Gruff ? Love it.
She’ll also play all her matches on the Centre Court at W’don and Federer will be on Court 13. No crowd problems because no one will be watching him,
Scoop Malinowski · December 26, 2019 at 8:38 am
“The WTA will tell the rest of the players” she’s our new meal ticket into the next ten years, Bite your tongues and lets hope she makes us all a ton of money”
Harold I fear there could be a secret agenda at play to install Gauff as the new next Face of Tennis. They do it in boxing now, they manufacture fraud champions via all rigged fake fixed fights. Deontay Wilder, Canelo Alvarez, Floyd Mayweather are all frauds built up with fixed rigged fights. Mayweather confessed in a media roundtable that “Yeah I’m a rich coward” when the media was pressing him on why he would not fight Manny Pacquiao for over $100m. The big fight he later got forced into by the head of CBS Showtime Les Moonves and won via rigged judges. I fear American tennis is so desperate for a big selling meal ticket that they could rig Gauff like they do in boxing but hopefully that is not the case and she will earn it on her own. But we will be watching closely.
Scoop Malinowski · December 26, 2019 at 8:40 am
Whoa that is a major mess that grandma Gauff is suing her own son over business. Of course the tennis media in USA will probably ignore that story. Can’t see Tennis Channel or Chrissie Evert discussing that dirty laundry.
Jon King · December 26, 2019 at 9:24 am
Scopp, you read my mind. I thought the same thing yesterday, to watch Gauff’s matches and draws closely for signs of suspicious results.
You see the shady camp that is forming around her. Patrick M., the ultimate slick talking salesman. Her dad who we now know will allegedly rip off his own mother for money, and is leading the charge to cash in as quick as possible. Nike deal….Nike’s notorious for shady dealings with basketball players and its elite running program is in the news for all kinds of nefarious acts.
Harold · December 26, 2019 at 9:36 am
The WTA will tell the players, it’s a progression. Saw, and VW took up further than Chrissie, and Martina ever could. They got us equal pay, big courts, let the WTA glom on to big Mens events..
Did she leave New Balance for Nike? Scoop where’s your “ poaching” reporting?
Jon King · December 26, 2019 at 9:40 am
You are correct Harold, Gauff is New Balance. Its Anisimova who signed the huge Nike deal.
Jon King · December 26, 2019 at 10:11 am
I need to keep my teen queen, next big thing, players straight.
Gauff….next Serena, African American, also spars with Mike Tyson like Serena, also involved with Patrick M. like Serena, has deal with New Balance.
Anisimova…..next Sharapova, tall and blond, same agent as Sharapova, has deal with Nike.
There, I think I have it and all ready for 2020.
Harold · December 26, 2019 at 10:20 am
SW is a Nike rep, not NB
Jon King · December 26, 2019 at 10:25 am
True Harold, thats why I left out the ‘like Serena’ after New Balance deal in the comparison.
I am very surprised New Balance got Gauff over Nike. But if you look back in the news, New Balance apparently gave the Gauffs $1 million even before she played a pro match. So looks like they ‘out Niked’ Nike.
Scoop Malinowski · December 26, 2019 at 10:28 am
Jon, Gauff is with New Banance not nike. I even wonder about some of her results earlier this year.
Scoop Malinowski · December 26, 2019 at 10:31 am
New Balance is aggressive for certain players, they will spend the money – Opelka, Collins, Raonic. But yes it is a big surprise Nike lost the chase for Coco, you know they had to be in on it.
Harold · December 26, 2019 at 10:37 am
In the early to mid 80’s NB had some of the best Tennis shoes around. think Lotto swiped their shoes style in the late 80’s, then they disappeared from the Tennis scene..Raonic was probably their biggest score in a long while. Funny, that Luby probably signed with NB when he was with Raonic, and is still repping them years later
Scoop Malinowski · December 26, 2019 at 10:48 am
Harold, New Balance did not venture into the tennis shoes market until the late 90s or early 2000s. In the 80s NB was strictly running, jogging shoes. Yes their 80s shoes were very good, comfortable, stylish, had many pairs. But they were not designed for tennis durability. I first remember NB tennis in the later 90s early 2000s as one guy I played with wore them and loved them. The first pro to wear NB was maybe Guccione or Karlovic but not sure.
Harold · December 26, 2019 at 11:05 am
Had NB’s in the 80’s…Holabird Sports in the back of Tennis magazine was where I was getting them….they might not have had shirts, or shorts, but they definitely had shoes..no pros were wearing them…
Harold · December 26, 2019 at 11:10 am
Was wearing NB’s on a trip to Jamaica in 84..tennis pro at the hotel saw them and was trying to get me to trade them to him for , hitting sessions, money, pot….trust me, NB had tennis shoes in the 80’s
Harold · December 26, 2019 at 11:13 am
Had two pair that I remember, one was a high quality playing shoe, the other was like a Laver/Adidas shoe, more comfort, that hardcore tennis shoe
Harold · December 26, 2019 at 11:15 am
Moved on to Diadora Becker’s after that, before becoming a Nike Oscillator freak for as long as I could get them
Scoop Malinowski · December 26, 2019 at 11:38 am
NB 80s tennis must have been really rare, I bought many NB running shoes and never saw any tennis. I would like to see how they looked. Really liked the running shoes, still have a throwback pair. Tried the NB tennis and they are good too, wear out fast though.
Scoop Malinowski · December 26, 2019 at 11:38 am
Nike reissued new Oscillates, they look great.
Jon King · December 26, 2019 at 4:32 pm
My daughter will only wear men’s New Balance because they offer extra wide shoes off the shelf where few brands have 4E tennis shoes. She likes to fill them with thick socks and all kinds of foam, lambs wool, etc.
Amazing how much time and effort is needed to keep a tennis players feet comfortable.