Tournament to Showcase Nadal Open Practices for Fans on Stadium Court During Qualifying Weekend, Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1

WASHINGTON D.C. (July 29, 2021) — A month short of a 20-year anniversary marking the professional debut of one of tennis’ most decorated and storied champions, Rafael Nadal is set to descend on our nation’s capital this week to make his first Citi Open appearance at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.

The 20-time Grand Slam tournament singles champion and the world’s No. 3-ranked men’s player at present, Nadal arrives on the Citi Open grounds Saturday for practice on Stadium Court during the tournament’s qualifying weekend in preparation for his eagerly anticipated Citi Open debut at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 4 – a second-round match following a first-round bye. The Citi Open’s full singles draw will be released on Friday.

Nadal, 35, accepted a wild-card entry into the 2021 Citi Open and seeks to earn a career milestone – his 100th ATP Tour title – in Washington D.C. With 88 singles and 11 doubles titles to his iconic name, Nadal’s early Citi Open practice sessions will be on Stadium Court and open to fans.  They are scheduled for:

• Saturday July 31: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The practices are open to ticket holders for the Citi Open’s qualifying weekend and fans are welcome to watch from their Stadium seats. Gates open at 10 a.m. both days and Nadal’s practice schedule is subject to change.

“We are thrilled that the top players in the world, like Rafael Nadal, are choosing to play the Citi Open,” said Citi Open Chairman Mark Ein. “We are gaining a reputation for having some of the best fans in tennis and delivering a world class experience for players in the nation’s capital. Having a player like Rafa competing in Washington continues to solidify the Citi Open’s place as one of America’s classic Summer sports events.

“The interest from our community and fans to see Rafa in person has been overwhelming, so we are thrilled to provide a rare opportunity to witness his legendary preparation in a series of open practices on our Stadium Court this weekend. This will provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a large number of additional fans that bought tickets to the qualifying rounds to see one of tennis’ all-time greats up close.” 

Nadal’s maiden voyage at the Citi Open will mark Nadal’s first ATP event since reaching the semifinals of the French Open at Roland Garros, and it will be his seventh ATP tournament of 2021. The Spaniard won his 87th and 88th ATP singles titles at Barcelona in April and Rome (ATP Masters 1000) in May.

The Citi Open also represents the first tournament in Nadal’s run-up to the US Open, which he has won four times (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019). A fifth US Open title in September would elevate Nadal to the top of the list of all-time Grand Slam singles championships, breaking the tie he currently holds with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Nadal’s seemingly endless list of championship moments includes an all-time record 13 French Open titles (2005-08, 2010-14, 2017-2020), two Wimbledon titles (2008, 2010), one Australian Open title (2009), two Olympic Gold Medals (singles in 2008, doubles in 2016) and five Davis Cup victories with Spain.