The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour has selected the Dallas Open as one of three tournaments to be upgraded from ATP 250 status to ATP 500 status in 2025.
ATP 500 is the fourth-highest tournament level in tennis, behind the Grand Slams, ATP Finals, and ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.
“I think it goes to show how successful the tournament has been in its first two years here,” retired tennis player, current Dallas resident, and 2023 Dallas Open runner-up John Isner told NBC5 DFW.
“The tour sees this tournament as only getting bigger and better and that’s why it was awarded this 500 level upgrade.”
The Dallas Open moved to the area in 2022 after the ATP held the tournament in New York for four years, following a long run in Memphis after its founding in 1975. The tournament has been played at SMU’s Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex since relocating to the area but will move to a new venue in 2025.
Because of the upgrade, more high-profile tennis players will participate in the tournament, and more prize money and points can be offered. According to the ATP, players must participate in at least four of the 16 ATP 500 tournaments yearly, each awarding 500 world ranking points to the winner.
“There’s a lot of people that believe that this tournament here in Dallas is only going to keep getting bigger and better. And that was a reason for the expansion,” Isner told NBC.
“Being in the Dallas metroplex area, it’s just a great place. It’s got a lot of runway to grow in my opinion. So we’ll see what happens.”
NBC also reports that the Dallas Open will pay its champion about $2.8 million once officially upgraded, a substantial increase from last year’s $792,980 prize pool.
Tournaments in Doha, Qatar, and Munich, Germany, have also been upgraded to ATP 500 status, and the three new venues are estimated to contribute over $51 million in combined winnings over their first five years at the level.
The 2024 Dallas Open will be played at SMU from February 3 through February 11.
