The Delray Beach Open (www.DelrayBeachOpen.com) continues to top itself every year, fully establishing itself not only as a world-class tennis tournament, but also as one of the most prestigious and unparalleled social events of the year.
Celebrating its 32nd year and 26th in Delray Beach, the 2024 Delray Beach Open smashed its own attendance records, hosted more sold-out VIP events than ever and saw its first back-to-back champion in nearly 30 years. The 10-day event, which was held Feb. 9-18, 2024 at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center on Atlantic Avenue in downtown Delray Beach, Florida, is the world’s only combined ATP Champions Tour Legends and ATP 250 Tour event peppered with fabulous parties, special recognition days, clinics, and exclusive events that make its annual appearance a cultural phenomenon.
The total attendance for the Delray Beach Open this year was an all-time record 65,000+ with a crowd comprised of local residents and visitors from across the globe that easily broke 2023’s record of just over 63,000. ATP players at the tournament represented twenty-three countries including Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, India, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Portugal, Serbia, Sweden, Ukraine, USA, and Venezuela.
Defending champion Taylor Fritz dominated the court, defeating Tommy Paul 6-2, 6-3 to become only the second player to win back-to-back championships in the 32 years of the tournament. Last year, Taylor Fritz became the first current Top 10 player to win the DBO title and did it again this year. With Taylor Fritz at No. 9 in the world and Tommy Paul at No. 14, it was also the highest-ranked final in tournament history. This year also marked the first time in tournament history that all four singles semifinalists were American, and the fourth time for an all-American final.
The Delray Beach Open is also known for its generosity in the community, and this year’s tournament hosted clinics for partners Love Serving Autism and ACEing Autism. Opening weekend also saw the return of USTA Florida Kids Day.
The 2024 Delray Beach Open promised more of everything – more tennis, more parties, more fun – and it certainly did not disappoint. Off the court, there was more to do, see, eat, drink, watch and celebrate than ever, including more special events, an expanded hospitality area, and additional food and drink options. Over thirty-five local restaurants participated, and sold-out parties presented attendees with an array of entertainment options off the court, including two new events, “Burgers, Bourbon and Brew” and a Cham-pionship Weekend Brunch.
Kicking off the week was the tournament’s 16th Annual Chamber Bash & Box Series Holders’ Reception, presented by Baptist Health and sponsored by BlueIvy Communications and Carlton Fields, which welcomed members of Delray Beach and Boca Raton Chambers of Commerce and the tournament’s series box holders to a fun evening featuring culinary delights by Chipoys, Ziree Thai & Sushi, Burtons Grill & Bar, A Kitchen Empanadas, Frank Pepe Pizzeria, Proper Ice Cream, Seasons 52 Grill and Wine Bar, American Social Bar & Kitchen and spirits by American Icon Brewery and Raeburn Winery.
The VIP Reception offered Delray Beach Open’s partners and VIPs tasty treats by VIP Caterers. The sold-out Ladies Day Luncheons returned, sponsored by Lucky in Love, Blonde Alchemy, Float 8, Raeburn Winery, Stoli Vodka, and Charleston Bloody Mary Mix, and included more than just lunch, with Stadium Court seats to the day’s tennis matches, wine, Bloody Mary’s, Stoli Cocktails, raffle prizes and gift bags included in the ticket.
“Tacos, Tequila and Tennis,” presented by Dano’s Tequila, returned for its second year and guests got to sample some of the best tacos around while enjoying Dano’s Tequila cocktails, wine (from Raeburn Winery) and beer (from American Icon Brewery) at the on-site Hospitality Pavilion. Guests got to vote for the best tequila cocktail and best taco. A portion of the proceeds benefitted local non-profit Love Serving Autism.
The tournament’s premiere event, Game, Set, Pour – billed as the ‘Ultimate Pairing event’ – served up an array of sampling from some of the best local restaurants and craft breweries in the area. A portion of the proceeds benefitted KulaCares, a crowdfunding platform that connects teachers to the supplies and resources they need. For a complete list of the partner restaurants and beverages go to: GameSetPour.com.
With the success of “Tacos, Tequila and Tennis” and “Game, Set, Pour,” the Delray Beach Open added another instantly popular tasting event called “Burgers, Bourbon and Brew,” which had guests sampling burgers and voting for their best burger, while sipping on beer, wine, and bourbon cocktails from Redwood Empire Whiskey, Kentucky Owl Bourbon, American Icon Brewery, The Cove Brewery and Betty Booze. Burger competitors included American Icon Brewery, American Social Bar & Kitchen, The BBQ Boutique (who took home the judges and patrons award for best burger), M.E.A.T. Eatery and Taproom, MOOYAH, Poblano South, and VIP Caterers.
Finally, the first-ever Championship Weekend Brunch was held on Saturday of finals weekend and featured an upscale brunch complete with an omelet station, waffle iron, charcuterie table, raw bar, caviar, sushi, gourmet salad bar, bottomless Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas, and much more.
More food and beverage options and an expanded 21,000 sq. ft. hospitality area meant guests could enjoy additional food choices and more off-court seating. Brand-new LED video screens glowed on Stadium Court, making it even easier to keep track of the action and made every game feel like a party. Along with DBO favorites like Guaca Go, Proper Ice Cream, That’s Amore Pizza, Subculture Coffee and Mark’s Bistro were new additions, A Kitchen Empanadas and The Knosh Deli. Signature cocktail, the Stoli Slice, boasted a new twist of sparkling strawberry lemonade with Stoli Vodka. And all fans were able to keep their water bottles filled to the brim with the all-new water hydration stations provided by the tournament’s Official Hydration Partner, waterdrop®.
“We aim to get bigger and better every year,” said Adam Baron, Executive Director of the Delray Beach Open. “And this year, we really focused on what we could offer the fans that would improve their experience. The enthusiasm of the crowd every single day and night combined with the record-breaking attendance confirmed that we did it right!”
With all the new offerings and additional events, it’s tough to predict what tournament organizers will come up with next. So, before we see what they have up their sleeves next year, fans are encouraged to book early for the 2025 Delray Beach Open, returning February 7-16, 2025.
In the meantime, stay tuned to www. DelrayBeachOpen.com and Delray Beach Open’s social media for the latest!
