Wimbledon's done but great tennis is Midtown bound this week

I feel so many emotions, every year, when the final trophy of Wimbledon is awarded on Sunday afternoon. For the past two weeks, Wimbledon has been a constant on my television, on my second monitor at work, and the most used app on my iPhone. As a tennis player and dedicated fan, I have been engrossed in the oldest, biggest, and most prestigious Grand Slam Tournament. 

This year did not disappoint as we saw Serena Williams win her 5th Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles title Saturday, then later joining her sister, Venus, to claim their 5th Wimbledon Ladies’ Doubles trophy. And then perhaps the biggest victory of all – Roger Federer defeating Great Britain’s own, Andy Murray, in a phenomenal four-set match, to obtain his 7th Wimbledon Championship tying Pete Sampras’ record and reclaiming the No. 1 ranking in the world.

If you are like me, there is this sense of somewhat disappointment that the tournament is over and we’ll have to wait another year until it begins again. But avid Atlanta tennis fans and players, do not fret that Wimbledon is over because it is only days before the BB&T Atlanta Open comes to Midtown's Atlantic Station.

The BB&T Atlanta Open will be staged on July 14 – July 22, 2012 and is the first Emirates Airline US Open Series tournament leading up to the U.S. Open.

There will be two days of qualifying rounds on July 14th and 15th, with the main draw of men’s singles and doubles beginning on July 16th.  For more tournament information, see www.bbtatlanta.open.

The construction of the stadium, courts, and seating is virtually done at Atlantic Station. Driving down 17th street from the connector, I was amazed to see how Atlantic Station has been transformed into a state-of-the-art tennis facility. There will be six temporary hard courts, with the largest seating 3,600.

Many of America’s favorites, including the nation’s top three world-ranked players – John Isner, Mardy Fish, Andy Roddick – have joined Atlanta native Donald Young in the main draw.

As a recent University of Georgia graduate, I cannot be more excited to see the former Bulldog Isner play, and keeping my fingers crossed that the championship match will be just as exciting as last year when Fish defeated Isner in a 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-2 for the title. There are other well-known players participating, so see if your favorite is in the draw and click here. 

Special events will be going on the duration of the tournament. Sister Hazel will kick things off after the Player’s party on Saturday, July 14th, at 9 pm. Tickets are only $15 and more information can be found here. There are several appreciation nights and kid-friendly activities during the tournament as well, click here for more details.

Tickets are on sale and available for a week, a weekend, or just a day! Whether a tennis fan or not, come out to watch some of the ATP’s best compete against each other, and participate in all the other activities happening at this year’s 2012 BB&T Atlanta Open!