See who’s competing as Sarasota Open returns. One tennis player once beat Roger Federer

The Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open returns next month.

The tennis tournament, which started nearly two decades ago at the old El Conquistador Racquet Club in Bradenton, features a bevy of potential future stars.

Previous winners of the ATP Challenger Tour event include Tommy Paul, Francis Tiafoe, Nick Kyrgios, Kei Nishikori and James Blake.

Paul, who captured the 2019 title, is currently ranked 14th in the PIF ATP men’s rankings. Tiafoe ranks 22nd and won the tournament’s title in 2017.

That same year, Tiafoe was on the court when “loud sex noises,” coming from a nearby condominium went viral. The tournament was held at the United Tennis Academy and Tiafoe’s quote, “It can’t be that good,” during the match interruption led to organizers cashing in with T-shirts commemorating the moment.

This year’s tournament, though, is at Payne Park in Sarasota from April 7 through April 14. The annual Challenger circuit event has moved around over the years, from Bradenton to Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch before heading back to its roots and now in Sarasota at Payne Park.

Here’s a look at some of the players scheduled to compete in the tournament that kicks off the clay court season:

JJ Wolf

Currently ranked 94th, Wolf played in the 2024 Australian Open and is a previous Big Ten Player of the Year at Ohio State. Wolf reached a peak ranking of 39th.

Juan Pablo Varillas

Ranked 95th in the world, Varillas won the Santiago, Chile ATP Challenger Tour event that concluded last Sunday.

Thanasi Kokkinakis

Defeated multiple Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 Roger Federer at the Miami ATP event in 2018.

Michael Mmoh

A former IMG Academy student, Mmoh played the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2023. At the Australian Open, he notched a win over current world No. 5 Alexander Zverev.

For tickets and additional information, visit SarasotaOpen.com.