Strongest ever field expected to contest ATP Citi Open

Now in its 48th year, the ATP 500 hard-court event boasts an illustrious list of former winners, including Juan Martin del Potro, Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi and Ivan Lendl.

This year, the highest-ranked player to take part is world number five Tomas Berdych, while fellow top-10 stars Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov are also set to be present.

And Dell is thrilled at the prospect of hosting some of the world's finest talent in Washington.

"I've been doing the tournament for 47 years and the depth of this year's field is something we just never had," he told the Washington Post.

"I can honestly say this is the best quality of field I've been a part of."

Berdych, Raonic and Dimitrov are ranked as the top three seeds for the event, with Japan's Kei Nishikori seeded fourth.

The best home hope looks likely to be John Isner, who lost out to Del Potro in last year's final after winning the opening set.

Isner, ranked 12th in the world, says a competitive field can only make for a better tournament.

"I think it's more exciting," he said. "I want to go up against guys that are ranked higher than me because that's normally a good thing.

"That means I'm progressing well within that tournament. But it's good for the tournament.

"It's good for everyone. It's going to be a high level of competition."