Delray Beach Open Finalists Fritz and Paul Back to Battle for History
Oct 30, 2024
Can you say three-peat?
That’s what two-time defending champion Taylor Fritz will attempt at the 2025 Delray Beach Open, Feb. 7-16, as the ATP tournament has announced the return of the world Top 10 player. Last February, the American became just the second player to win back-to-back DBO titles in the 32 years of the tournament. Nobody has won it three times, much less three times in a row.
Fritz would join an elite list of players who have won a tournament three years in a row. In the Open Era of professional tennis that started in 1968, 33 men have accomplished the feat at least once including legends Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg. Fritz would be the first American born after 1990 to three-peat.
Above: Two-time DBO champion Taylor Fritz. Photo credit: Delray Beach Open/Andrew Patron.
After defending his title in Delray Beach and winning in Eastbourne, Fritz’s successful year continued in September when he reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, becoming the first American man to reach the final there since Andy Roddick in 2006. Fritz is in good position to qualify for the year-end ATP Finals and will represent the United States at the Davis Cup Finals and the United Cup.
Also returning to the tournament in 2025 is Palm Beach County resident Tommy Paul. The runner-up to his good friend Fritz in 2024, he will try to go one step further in February. Paul won three titles this year and reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals. He briefly overtook Fritz twice this year as the No. 1 American and has equaled his career-high ranking of world No. 12. The two teamed up to win the doubles Olympic bronze medal in Paris this year, and Paul will join Fritz on the US team at the Davis Cup Finals.
Above: Last year's DBO finalist Tommy Paul. Photo credit: Delray Beach Open/Andrew Patron.
“We are ecstatic to have both of our 2024 finalists back for 2025, and can’t wait to see if Taylor can pull off the three-peat for the first time in tournament history,” said Adam Baron, executive director of the Delray Beach Open. “We are proud to carry on the tradition of giving our fans a closeup view of Grand Slam finalists and their amazing games, and to offer an opportunity for Americans to play in front of their home fans. There is a resurgence of men’s U.S. tennis with five Americans ranked in the world’s Top 25, and the DBO is one of just eight ATP tournaments in the country to see them.”
Off the court there is always something for everybody at the Delray Beach Open. It’s a 10-day party on Atlantic Avenue in the height of the winter season in sunny South Florida.
Above: Enjoying the party at the DBO. Photo credit: Delray Beach Open/Gina Fontana.
“The Delray Beach Open will once again offer our fans the tennis, the parties, the food and the entertainment they have come to know and love,” said Baron. “We are excited to once again host the Delray Beach Open Food & Wine Series, which sold out last year. New to the list of food events for 2025 are the Grand Tasting and Valentine’s & Volleys events to go along with the ever-popular Ladies Day Luncheons; Burgers, Bourbon & Brew; Tacos, Tequila & Tennis and crowd favorite Game, Set, Pour. Also, the Championship Weekend Brunches are a can’t miss.”
The party will begin with a Legends event opening weekend, Feb. 7-9, featuring 16-time Grand Slam and six-time DBO winners Bob and Mike Bryan, French Open champions Luke and Murphy Jensen, and former DBO singles champions Tommy Haas, Jack Sock and Xavier Malisse. The qualifying rounds for the ATP 250 event will run Feb. 8-9, and singles and doubles main draw action starts Monday, Feb. 10 with the finals on Sunday, Feb. 16.
Above: Doubles legends Bob and Mike Bryan. Photo credit: Delray Beach Open/Andrew Patron.
The Delray Beach stop on the global ATP Tour annually plays in front of more than 60,000 fans and reaches television audiences in over 100 countries.
Some of the world’s best players launched their careers at the Delray Beach Open. Delray Beach champions include former US Open winners Marin Cilic and Juan Martin del Potro, Grand Slam finalist Kevin Anderson, and multiple Grand Slam doubles titlist Jack Sock. Other competitors over the tournament’s 32 years of ATP tennis include a roster of Hall of Famers and fan favorites such as Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Tommy Haas, Patrick Rafter, Jim Courier, Michael Chang, Ivan Lendl, Mats Wilander and Jimmy Connors.
Individual session and series packages are available now at DelrayBeachOpen.com. A variety of up-close, unique seating experiences including On Court Best Seats in the House, shaded Veranda seats, courtside box and reserved seats are available.
Don’t miss the party!
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Source: Delray Beach Open. Top photo: Photo credit: Delray Beach Open/Andrew Patron.