Atlanta Tennis Championship Brings Professional Tennis Back

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Atlanta Tennis Championship Brings Professional Tennis Back
July 21, 2010
By Jennifer Mayerle
CBS Atlanta

ATLANTA -- Professional tennis returns to Atlanta with the Atlanta Tennis Championship. Some of the top names in men's tennis are competing this week, including Mardy Fish, James Blake and Lleyton Hewitt.
The last time there was a tournament in the area was 2001 when a young Andy Roddick won his first ATP title. Now he's back along with players with Georgia ties, like Robby Ginepri, John Isner and Donald Young.
More than 100,000 people are involved with tennis in metro-Atlanta and fans alike think this will make tennis even more popular in Atlanta. The tournament is a chance for tennis fans to see their favorite players up close.
“I get to see Isner play,” said Garrett Gardner.
It was the UGA grads first tournament since making history with the longest tennis match ever at Wimbeldon.
“I told myself just to try to compete,” said player John Isner.
Young and older players they say they love having professional tennis back in metro-Atlanta.
“It’s awesome. It's great. Tennis is so big in Atlanta with Alta and all the academies, it's great for the junior players to watch and I think it's great for Atlanta in general,” said fan Shawn Barbee.
“I was really shocked there hasn't been a tournament here in the last 9 years. It’s crazy to think about considering the tennis participation in the city,” said Isner.
Atlanta’s Donald Young believes this tournament will create an even stronger tennis community, and says fans give players a boost.
“Keep coming out and supporting and screaming my name,” said Young.
Isner said he doesn’t think tennis in Atlanta is going anywhere.
“Now that it's back I think it's here to stay. I think the crowds are great. The player field this year is awesome.”