Jack Sock takes New York wild card to join Isner, Kyrgios and Raonic

• Tennis News
• ATP Tennis

The Memphis Open stayed in the ATP calendar for more than 40 years before it had to be canceled in 2017, struggling to find the sponsors for the last couple of years and having to sell the license. The event moved to Long Island, New York, finding the new home at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on black indoor hard courts, a feature that makes it a unique stop in the ATP calendar, at least among the regular tournaments.

Kevin Anderson was the inaugural champion in 2018 after beating Sam Querrey in the title match, succeeded by Reilly Opelka last February after the young American delivered thrilling wins over John Isner and Brayden Schnur en route to the first ATP title.

The third edition will take place between February 10-16, with some notable players ready to chase the crown, including both of the previous champions. Kei Nishikori had to withdraw due to an injury, leaving John Isner, Nick Kyrgios, Milos Raonic and Reilly Opelka, followed by some young guns and Brayden Schnur who was the finalist a year ago.

Former world no. 8 Jack Sock will join the party as well, earning an invitation for his debut in New York. Jack hadn't played after retiring against Sekou Bangoura in the first round in Charlottesville due to back pain last October, dropping out from the ATP singles list on Monday for the first time since October 2009 when he was still 17!

Just over two years ago, Jack Sock stood on the top of the tennis world, winning 2017 Paris Masters and earning a chance to play at the ATP Finals, pretty much out of nowhere. The American had been safe in the top-20 throughout 2018 thanks to those points, although there was no reason for celebration, winning just nine out of 31 matches on the Tour and finishing outside the top-100 for the first time since 2013!

Ironically, Jack had a stellar season in doubles, winning Indian Wells, Wimbledon, the US Open and the ATP Finals, hoping to find the winning path in singles again in 2019 after kicking off the season with a wild card at the Australian Open.

The struggling American lost to Alex Bolt in four sets to hand the first Grand Slam win to the Aussie, undergoing surgery at the beginning of February to repair torn ligaments in his finger and missing all the action until Atlanta in July.

By the end of the season, Sock lost all seven matches that could have brought him the points, dropping out from the ATP ranking list and hoping for a fresh start in 2020. "The fans need to get ready for topnotch entertainment with Jack's addition to the draw," said Peter Lebedevs, New York Open Tournament Director.

"He always brings an exciting match experience for U.S. tennis fans, and we know the black court will be no exception. We can't wait."