Chatham Native Named Director of Citi Open Tennis Tournament

CHATHAM, NJ — Keely O'Brien, a Chatham native and a Chatham High School alumnus, has been named the Tournament Director of the Citi Open Tennis Tournament in Washington, D.C.

O’Brien, 34, was named to the position in March and is the youngest female tournament director on both the ATP World Tour and the WTA Tour.

“I am truly grateful for this opportunity, this Tournament has been a huge part of my life for over a decade,” O’Brien said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to grow this event, which that has evolved into a must-see global sports destination that showcases the best of DC and benefits an incredible non-profit foundation for underserved children in our community.”

“It brings me great pleasure to congratulate and support Keely O’Brien as the Tournament Director of the Citi Open Tennis Tournament,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington, DC. “Citi Open continues to be one of the leading sports events in the District, and under Keely’s leadership, I have no doubt that the Tournament will continue to be one of the District’s most exciting events that gives back to the community.“

“All of us at Citi congratulate Keely on this significant achievement,” said Dermot Boden, Chief Brand Officer, Citi. “Citi is proud to be the title sponsor of this historic men’s and women’s event, and Keely has been integral member of the Citi Open team and to our support for the local community through this amazing tournament. We look forward to once again shining a spotlight on the tremendous work of the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation this summer.”

O’Brien graduated from Rowan University with a degree in Business Management, where she played on the Varsity Lacrosse team for four years. O’Brien is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies, Sports Industry Management program. She currently lives in Washington, D.C.

The 49th Citi Open will be held on July 29 – August 6 at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, benefiting underserved and low-income kids in the D.C. community through the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation. The Citi Open Tennis Tournament is one of 13 elite ATP World Tour 500-level events worldwide and the only one held in the United States.

Image via Michael Duxbury, Flickr

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