After Delray Beach resident and former Delray Beach Open singles Champion, Kevin Anderson took out the GOAT in five - after being down two sets - today he defeated John Isner in a Fortnite-like battle, 26-24 tiebreak in another five-setter.

 When we hear Stephen A. Smith commentate on SportsCenter about someone (usually LeBron) winning or losing by a matter of inches, we can't always convert the metaphoric notion into a tangible unit of emotional measurement.  But today at Wimbledon, a victor (Kevin) won 298 points to the non-victor's (John) 271. Twenty-seven inches throughout the course of six hours and 26 minutes. 

You think the tournament director gave them at least two hours 

in-between matches?? Hmm.

Two guys known for their BIG serving, they both shared today LOW DFs with her HIGH MPHs. FOUR TOTAL DFs for Kevin, and SIX  double faults for John. Oh and not per set -  but the entire 5 set match . 

 Following this record-making match we were treated with two more iconic performances - Novak Djokovic v. Rafael Nadal on Center Court. If there was ever a match for Novak to show "he's BACK" (not that world No. 21 is so removed), this was IT. Novak won the first 6-4. Had a tough time holding serve in the second, and regained the third in an electric 7-6 tiebreak victory. Play suspended due to tradition's curfew but will resume tomorrow. 

So if you haven't yet grabbed a gallon of water: Cue the chugging.

 We move now to the story of the upcoming week. The Clays. We're ALL IN for eight straight days - Sunday to Sunday - in the most elite junior tennis tournament in the country, to crown our own champion(s).  We boast a cast of nearly 230+ players per Boys 16s and Boys 18s divisions, singles and doubles...TOTALING 460+ participants, plus families, coaches and over 100 scouting college coaches. So we hope Delray Beach is ready to get down and dirty in the clay. 

Owned and operated by the organization that produces the  Delray Beach Open ATP Tour event, the USTA Boys' 18 & 16 National Clay Court Championships hosted by the City of Delray Beach is a stepping stone for these elite players as the 18s Singles Champion will receive a WILDCARD into the Singles Main Draw at the US Open Juniors & a Wildcard into the Main Draw of a USTA Men's Futures Pro Circuit Event. Further the Boys 18s Singles Champion and Finalist receive complimentary entry into the Delray Beach Open Pre-Qualifying Survivor Series Event (winner receives a Wildcard into Qualifying for the Delray Beach Open: ATP World Tour Event). The 16s Singles Champion receives a Wildcard into the Main Draw of a USTA Men's Futures Pro Circuit Event (players must be age eligible). More

TELEVISION: The event is creating two produced and televised highlight shows recapping the tournament (Boys 18s & Boys 16s).  

PHOTOS & EVENT INFO: Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter
@DelrayBeachOpen with Clay Court hashtag #DelrayClays
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Matches are FREE to watch throughout the week (just mention "USTA NATIONALS" at venues with guard gate, and on Saturday's Registration mention "YELLOWTENNISBALL" or "USTA NATIONAL CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS" at the Boca Raton Resort & Club guard gate). 

MEDIA: If you're wishing to cover the event you can contact Marlena Hall at (954) 663-6633 [email protected] or John Butler at (561) 350-6795 or [email protected].