Dallas Open Partners With Dallas Cowboys
DALLAS (November 29, 2023) – A unique partnership between GF Sports & Entertainment and the Dallas Cowboys will bring the franchise known worldwide for football into the realm of professional tennis. With its recently announced upgrade to an ATP 500-level tournament, the Dallas Open will bring pro tennis players from around the world to Ford Center at The Star in Frisco – the Dallas Cowboys World Corporate Headquarters and Training Facility, starting in 2025.
“As America’s newest ATP 500-level tournament, the Dallas Open continues to grow the sport offering greater competition, star power and ranking points to American players on the professional tennis circuit, as well as those coming from abroad,” said Peter Lebedevs, Executive Vice President of Tennis Operations & Tournament Director, Dallas Open.
By increasing its status in only two years from an ATP 250 to an ATP 500 event, the Dallas Open will draw its most competitive field since the tournament moved to North Texas in 2022. The upgrade provides players the opportunity to earn more ATP ranking points at the Dallas Open and will offer approximately $2.8 million in prize money.
“The success of this action-packed tournament over such a short time makes it a natural draw for sports fans who flock to Ford Center at The Star in Frisco,” said Charlotte Jones, Owner & Chief Brand Officer for the Dallas Cowboys. “This facility and campus was built not only as the World Corporate Headquarters for the Dallas Cowboys, but also to host world class events like this one, and we’re thrilled to host the stars of pro tennis at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco.”
To literally kick-off this new phase of the Dallas Open, Dallas resident, and 16-time ATP tour winner John Isner made a 30-yard field goal at the Cowboys Training Facility Tuesday, November 28, 2023. The father of four, who retired from professional tennis earlier this year, played a major role in bringing the pro tennis men’s tour to North Texas. His successful kick at the Dallas Open’s future home serves as a celebration of the new collaboration with the Dallas Cowboys and the tournament’s progress, evolution and expansion. Click here for video of John Isner’s Field Goal kick.
The Dallas Open will be one of 16 global events at the 500-level and one of only two in the U.S. Earlier this month, the ATP selected the Dallas Open as one of three tournaments worldwide to be elevated to the 500-level from a pool of 17 applicants. Tournaments in Doha, Qatar, and Munich, Germany were also chosen to host 500-level events.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Dallas Cowboys as the Dallas Open begins a new chapter as an ATP 500 tournament,” said Gary Fuhrman, Chairman, CEO and Founder of GF Capital. “We look forward to welcoming a stronger, more diverse field of players and thousands of enthusiastic tennis fans at The Star in Frisco, the new home of the Dallas Open.”
Even as a 500-level tournament, the Dallas Open will continue its tradition of awarding the top male tennis player at SMU with a singles main draw wildcard. Lebedevs added, “As part of GF Sports & Entertainment’s commitment to supporting the next generation of American players, we are excited to continue this relationship with SMU showcasing the talents of their top-tier players.”
