Big Numbers For Citi Open In First Year Under Mark Ein's Stewardship

The first ATP/WTA Citi Open under Mark Ein’s management broke the 51-year old tournament’s attendance record, as more than 78,000 fans watched the tennis action in DC. Ein took over management of the tournament from the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation in late '18. The WTEF still owns the Citi Open and is its charitable beneficiary; a $50,000 check was presented to the WTEF from funds raised on the grounds during this year’s tournament. Citi Open ticket revenue was 20% higher than the previous record. Six of the tournament's nine main draw sessions sold out and merchandise sales were up 100% from '18. Fifteen-year old Coco Gauff lost early in the singles draw, but her run to the doubles title with 17-year old Caty McNally was a huge boost for the event, while the personality of men's singles winner Nick Kyrgios likely drew fans through the tournament’s final day. “We set lofty goals, and it exceeded even our wildest dreams,” Ein said in a statement.