Everything You Need to Know About the Washington Open

The Washington Open, officially known as the Mubadala DC Open, is one of the biggest tennis events of the North American hard-court season. Every year, some of the world’s best ATP and WTA stars head to Washington, D.C., to compete for an important title before the US Open. 

The 2026 tournament takes place from 25 July to 2 August at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park. You can expect more than a week of top-class tennis, featuring Grand Slam champions, rising stars, and all your favourites battling it out on hard courts. 

Washington Open offers plenty of exciting matches and early clues about which players are in great form heading into the final Grand Slam of the year. 

What is the Washington Open? 

The Washington Open is one of the longest-running professional tennis tournaments in the United States. It is unique because it hosts both ATP and WTA events during the same week, giving fans the chance to watch both the men’s and women’s tours at one venue. 

Played on outdoor hard courts, the tournament is a key stop in the summer tennis calendar. Many players use it to fine-tune their game before travelling to bigger events like the Canadian Open, the Cincinnati Open, and finally the US Open. 

Winning in Washington is a major confidence boost, as the fast courts reward aggressive tennis and strong serving, making it the perfect preparation for the busy hard-court swing. 

Why the Washington Open Matters 

Although it is not a Grand Slam, the Washington Open is an important tournament for several reasons. Players have the chance to earn valuable ATP and WTA ranking points while building momentum before New York. A strong performance can improve rankings, boost confidence, and help players secure favourable seedings at upcoming tournaments. 

The event also attracts many of the biggest names in tennis, making it one of the strongest tournaments outside the four Grand Slams. Fans often get to see blockbuster matches from the very first rounds. 

Players to Watch 

The 2026 Washington Open features a talented field packed with experienced champions and exciting young stars. Here are some of the biggest names to keep an eye on. 

Frances Tiafoe 

American favourite Frances Tiafoe always enjoys strong support whenever he plays close to home. Born in Maryland, Washington is one of the most special stops on his calendar. 

Known for his powerful forehand, athletic movement, and entertaining style, Tiafoe has the ability to raise his level in front of home crowds. If he finds his rhythm early, he could put together another deep run. 

Alex de Minaur 

Defending champion Alex de Minaur returns looking to protect his title after lifting the trophy last year. The Australian has built a reputation as one of the toughest competitors on the ATP Tour.

His incredible speed, consistency, and ability to chase down almost every ball make him a difficult opponent on hard courts. As one of the highest-ranked players in the draw, he will once again be among the favourites. 

Taylor Fritz 

Taylor Fritz has become one of America’s leading tennis stars and continues to perform well on hard courts. His powerful serve and aggressive baseline game make him dangerous against any opponent.

Fritz has regularly challenged the best players in the world and will be aiming to add another big title to his growing collection. With plenty of experience on this surface, he is expected to be one of the strongest contenders. 

Ben Shelton 

Ben Shelton continues to impress with his fearless style of play. The young American possesses one of the fastest serves on tour and loves attacking from the first shot. His confidence keeps growing with every season, making him one of the most exciting players to watch. 

Shelton’s aggressive approach often produces entertaining matches, especially on quicker hard courts like those in Washington. 

Ben Shelton has all the talent in the world 🔥👀 pic.twitter.com/RXa2V2Mk21

— NBS Tennis (@NBSTennis) July 19, 2026

Women’s Players to Watch 

The women’s field is equally impressive, with Grand Slam champions, former world number ones, and rising stars all competing for the title. 

Leylah Fernandez 

Defending women’s champion Leylah Fernandez returns hoping to repeat last year’s success. 

Her speed, fighting spirit, and ability to turn defence into attack make her a difficult player to beat. Fernandez has shown that she can perform under pressure and will arrive full of confidence after her previous title run. 

Jessica Pegula 

Jessica Pegula enters the tournament as one of the highest-ranked players in the field. The American is known for her consistency and smart shot selection.

She regularly reaches the later stages of big tournaments and has developed into one of the most reliable players on the WTA Tour. Playing in front of home fans could give her an extra boost. 

Naomi Osaka 

Naomi Osaka remains one of the biggest names in women’s tennis. A multiple Grand Slam champion, Osaka is always dangerous on hard courts, where her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes can dominate matches. When she is playing with confidence, very few players can match her level. Fans will be eager to see how far she can go this year. 

Venus Williams 

Few players have had a greater impact on tennis than Venus Williams. Her experience, achievements, and legendary career continue to attract huge crowds wherever she competes. Every appearance is a reminder of the incredible legacy she has built in the sport. Watching Venus compete alongside the next generation of stars is one of the highlights of the tournament. 

Elina Svitolina 

Elina Svitolina is another player capable of making a deep run. 

Known for her consistency and excellent movement, the Ukrainian has enjoyed success on hard courts throughout her career. Her experience in big matches makes her a dangerous opponent for anyone in the draw. 

Elina Svitolina won this match
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/ZuasIBBxo3

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 1, 2025

Why Washington Open? 

The Washington Open has built a reputation for producing exciting matches and unexpected results. 

The tournament arrives at the perfect point in the season, with players eager to build form before the US Open. That often leads to competitive matches from the opening round, as every player looks to gain confidence and valuable ranking points. 

The relaxed atmosphere, combined with world-class tennis, has helped make Washington one of the most popular stops on the tennis calendar. 

Bet on Tennis with Bet.co.za 

The Washington Open is the perfect tournament for tennis fans looking to follow the action before the US Open. With elite players, exciting matchups, and plenty at stake, there are betting opportunities throughout the tournament. 

From match winners and outright champions to live betting markets, Bet.co.za gives you plenty of ways to get closer to every serve, break point, and championship moment. 

Sign up on Bet.co.za today, explore the latest Washington Open odds, and back your favourite players throughout the tournament.