Top Seeds Clash at Dallas Open as ATP Stars Compete in ATP 500 Event

DALLAS, Texas — The Dallas Open, now upgraded to an ATP 500 event, kicked off with a star-studded lineup featuring three of the world’s Top 10 players. Defending champion Tommy Paul, newly ranked World No. 9, headlines the tournament alongside other top seeds, including Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud.

Paul, who won last year’s title when the event was an ATP 250, will face fellow American Jenson Brooksby in the first round. The tournament has moved to The Star, the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters, after being held at Southern Methodist University in previous years. “The courts feel great,” Paul said. “I have great memories from last year, and everything has improved a ton. I’m really happy to be back.”

The field is packed with talent, including top seed Carlos Alcaraz, who will face Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, and second seed Casper Ruud, who takes on Marcos Giron. Sixth seed Ben Shelton, ranked No. 13, will battle Aleksandar Vukic, while seventh seed Alex Michelsen faces former Top 10 star Cameron Norrie. Five of the eight seeds in the draw are American, highlighting the strong home presence.

Paul, known for his playful rivalry with the Dallas Cowboys, wore a Philadelphia Eagles hat during the draw ceremony, drawing laughs from the crowd. “The colors are great,” Paul joked about the blue-and-gray courts, which mirror the Cowboys’ colors. “They’re better on the court than on a football field, that’s for sure.”

The tournament’s upgrade to an ATP 500 level has attracted a stronger field, with players eager to earn valuable ranking points. “The field is definitely super strong,” Paul said. “Everyone wants to come play here. In terms of Americans, we absolutely love playing in the States. It’s our favorite time of the year.”

Other notable matches include a clash between Holger Rune and Lorenzo Sonego, as well as a showdown between Roberto Bautista Agut and Pedro Martinez. The Dallas Open runs through February 9, with the winner taking home a significant prize and a boost in the PIF ATP Rankings.