The BB&T Atlanta Open, a signature ATP World Tour event to be held later this month, has announced that former Georgia Gwinnett College men's tennis standout Jordan Cox has been extended an invitation to, and will compete in, the main doubles draw. The event will take place July 24-30 at Atlantic Station in midtown Atlanta.
Cox, a Sarasota, Fla., native who recently helped the GGC men's tennis program to a national championship four-peat this May, has received a Wild Card for the event, where he will be paired in doubles play with Emil Reinberg of the University of Georgia.
This will mark the first time that a former Grizzly has gone on to compete in an ATP World Tour event.
"This is a huge honor for Jordan and GGC Tennis to be represented on the world stage of professional tennis," said GGC head coach Chase Hodges. "We want to extend a big 'thank you' to tournament director Eddie Gonzalez for recognizing Jordan's accomplishments and for this opportunity. We can't wait to see Jordan compete!"
Cox (left) and Reinberg (right) with tournament director Eddie Gonzalez
The draw will be announced at a later time for the single-elimination event, but many of the world's top professionals are declared to compete, including Americans Bob and Mike Bryan, the 16-time Grand Slam champion duo widely considered the greatest doubles tandem in tennis history.
Over 30,000 fans attended last year's BB&T Atlanta Open. The event marks the beginning of the US Open Series. Now in its 14th season, the US Open Series is the five-week summer tennis season that links seven North American hard-court tournaments to the final Grand Slam of the year, the US Open.
Cox was named the Ward-Ballinger Most Outstanding Player at the 2017 NAIA Men's Tennis National Championships as the Grizzlies won their fourth-straight national title to cap a perfect 23-0 season. Cox finished the season second in the Oracle-ITA rankings among NAIA singles players- trailing only teammate Kevin Konfederak- and third in the doubles rankings with teammate Connor Clements. Cox posted a 60-6 career doubles record over three seasons at GGC and won 37 of 40 singles matches as he helped guide the Grizzlies along their current 55-match winning streak against opponents from NCAA Division I, II, III, and the NAIA.
Reinberg, an Atlanta native and rising junior for the Bulldogs, was named Most Valuable Player of the 2017 Southeastern Conference tournament championship as he helped UGA capture the team title. He is ranked 51st in the Oracle-ITA singles Division I rankings, and led the Bulldogs with 35 total singles victories in 2016-17.
Gonzalez commented to Cox and Reinberg, "I want you both to know how committed we are to our youth who attend our BB&T Atlanta Open to 'dream big' in hopes of playing high school tennis, college tennis, or even pro tennis one day. Also, want you both to know how proud I am of your accomplishments this year with your respective college teams."
See complete 2017 BB&T Open tournament and ticket information by clicking here: http://www.bbtatlantaopen.com/TournamentInformation/Overview/
