We’re hearing it’s a great field this year at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, “the best ever,Ó according to tournament founder Donald Dell. The Legg Mason, now an ATP World Tour 500 event, has a pumped up purse and more ranking points at stake. It has drawn 13 of the world’s top 25 players. So why don’t we know any of these guys?
Ladies and gentlemen, your No. 3 seed, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Recommended Stories
Not to pick on the 24-year-old Frenchman, but who exactly is he?
Tennis fans know that Tsonga emerged at the 2008 Australian Open, where he upset Rafael Nadal, and made it to the finals despite being unseeded. Since then, Tsonga, 24, has won four ATP titles, proving his sudden rise was no fluke.
Tsonga is making his first appearance in Washington, a reason for serious tennis fans to be excited. But those are the same K-Swiss-wearers who show up every year at the Legg Mason, even if Arnaud Clement is in the finals. The trick is to draw the casual fan.
This year’s tournament will likely be considered a dud unless No. 1 Andy Roddick or defending champ and No. 2 seed, Juan Martin Del Potro, advance to the finals.
Message to casual fans — do your homework. This Legg Mason is full of appealing players, not just a bunch of 6-foot-7 Eastern Europeans who become more prevalent each year at Rock Creek Park. Here are a few of them:
Tommy Haas » The German, formerly ranked No. 2 and thought to be on the downside of his career, is resurgent after multiple surgeries. Made the Wimbledon semifinals last month at age 31.
Juan Carlos Ferrero » Like Hass, the Spaniard, a former world No. 1, is extending his career at an advanced age (29). The same applies to another former No. 1, Australian Lleyton Hewitt, who has recovered from hip surgery at age 28.
Somdev Devvarman » Has survived qualifying for the second straight year and pulled off a major upset Tuesday, toppling No. 6 Marin Celic. Could be bound for a quarterfinal match with Roddick.
Yen-Hsun Lu » In a field dominated by Europeans (19 in the Round of 32), Lu, from Taipei, is ranked No. 1 in Asia. The 5-11 scrambler will try to take down the 6-6 Del Potro Thursday night.
