2018 Citi Open Tennis Tournament
Sat. July 28 - Sun. August 5, 2018
Rock Creek Tennis Center
2018 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Citi Open (formerly the Legg Mason Tennis Classic). Here are a few interesting facts: 
- The Citi Open's owner and beneficiary is the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation(WTEF), a local non-profit organization that has been improving the lives of underserved youth in the Washington D.C. area for more than 50 years. Proceeds of the Citi Open help the WTEF accomplish its mission of building life champions through tennis and academic excellence by using tennis as an entry point to share life lessons with young people. WTEF gives underserved kids a safe environment they trust and where they can excel. Learn more about the WTEF's work in DC at wtef.org.
- In 1968, Donald Dell and John A. Harris, co-founders of the tournament, wanted to start a tennis tournament in Washington DC. Dell, who was Arthur Ashe's agent at the time, knew that he needed a big name like Ashe to play in the tournament to give it credibility and draw a crowd. Ashe, a soon-to-be Wimbledon champion at the time, agreed to play in the tournament under one condition - that the tournament take place in a genuinely integrated environment. Dell and Harris wanted to find a public host site rather than a more typical country club, and the courts at 16th St. and Kennedy St. NW fit the bill. The tournament, which has gone through some name changes, has been played at the same location ever since.
- The Citi Open has been part of some of the most innovative changes in tennis, including blue courts, instant replay/video boards in the stadium, US Open Series, Sunday Main Draw start and, starting in 2009, an ATP "500" level tournament.
How Will The Citi Open Affect Crestwood?
There will be increased traffic and parking restrictions in the neighborhood during the Citi Open. Councilmember Todd's office is working very hard to minimize the disruptions, but some neighbors will have to take some affirmative steps.
Starting Friday, July 27 at 11:59 pm until Sunday, August 5 at 11:59 pm, there will be "No Parking - Special Permit Holders Exempted" signs placed on a number of streets in the northern part of Crestwood (mostly Colorado, upper Blagden, Ave, Blagden Terr., parts of 17th and 18th, Decatur, Crittenden). Commissioner Todd's office will be issuing the Special Permit parking passes to affected neighbors starting on July 14.
In order to park on the street, affected residents will need to place these passes on their dashboards from July 27 to August 5 or their vehicles may be ticketed or towed.
We will provide more details in the coming weeks. Please let us know at info@crestwooddc.org if you have any questions.