Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka will clash against each other this weekend after signing up for a star-studded exhibition in Atlanta.
Between 2010 and 2024, the city of Atlanta regularly hosted an ATP 250 tournament. But last year, the ATP decided to remove the tournament from the calendar.
The organizers of the former ATP tournament didn't want their city to be completely without tennis action so they decided to create an offseason exhibition. And they managed to lure some of the biggest male and female players to their event. Besides Osaka and Sabalenka, the event will also feature Nick Kyrgios and Ben Shelton.
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After Kyrgios and Shelton conclude their match, Osaka and the current WTA world No. 1 will take to the court. The tournament also noted that there is a chance that there will be a mixed doubles match between the four participants.
Osaka and Sabalenka to meet for the first time since 2018
A bit interestingly, Osaka, 28, and 27-year-old Sabalenka have met only once on the main level - and it came seven years ago - when the Japanese beat the Belarusian at the US Open. That year, the Japanese went on to become a Grand Slam champion at the US Open, while the Belarusian was still trying to make her way to the top of the game.
I want this to be a night for Atlantans in different tennis leagues to celebrate all together. I also appreciate the pros that work in this community and make a living. I am amazed by the level of coaching we have here... So many people have reached out across tennis, not just in Atlanta but around the country, with support and asking how to help, Atlanta Cup tournament director Jason Dolan said on Tennis Channel.
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According to Dolan, bringing four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, world No. 1 Sabalenka, 2022 Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios and 2025 Australian Open semifinalist Shelton to Atlanta went smoothly.
The agents were amazingly easy to work with. I wanted the right star power," Dolan said.
