Andre Agassi, the senior statesman among U.S. players, and Andy Roddick, the sport's hard-serving young star, headline the entries for Washington's annual Legg Mason Tennis Classic this summer.
Also among the commitments announced by tournament officials yesterday are Washington fan favorite James Blake, the 2002 Legg Mason Tennis Classic champion, and doubles champions Bob and Mike Bryan.
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Agassi, 10th in the ATP Champions race, counts five Legg Mason titles among his 59 career singles titles. Roddick won the tournament in 2001 and stands fifth in the ATP race. Their decision to use the Washington tournament as a tuneup for the U.S. Open is a coup for tournament officials.
The Bryan brothers, staples of the U.S. Davis Cup squad, captured an ATP-best seven doubles titles in 11 finals during 2004. This season they have won one title, reached the finals of the Australian Open and are ranked No. 2 in the ATP Doubles Champions race.
"We're thrilled to have these players -- not only because of the tremendous on-court talent represented, but also because of the personalities involved," tournament director Jeff Newman said in a statement.
This summer marks the tournament's 37th consecutive appearance at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center at 16th and Kennedy streets NW. It will be held July 30-Aug. 7. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation, which seeks to improve the life prospects for Washington area youth.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. For more information, call 202-721-9500 or visit www.leggmasontennisclassic.com.
-- Liz Clarke
