The 34th Delray Beach Open begins with a highly competitive field, featuring eight players ranked in the top 30, including top seed Taylor Fritz and debutant Casper Ruud. The tournament kicks off under the lights on February 16, with Frances Tiafoe, ranked 28th and the tournament's 7th seed, playing against qualifier Rinky Hijikata in the first round. Tiafoe, a former champion here, is a popular American player based in Boca Raton. Fritz, the highest-ranked American at No. 8, aims to defend his title after winning in 2023 and 2024, while Ruud makes his first appearance in Delray Beach. Other top contenders include Flavio Cobolli, Learner Tien, Tommy Paul, Valentin Vacherot, and Brandon Nakashima. The event features a mix of rising stars and seasoned players, with betting odds favoring some matches, such as Valentin Vacherot over Alex Michelsen and Marcos Giron over Sho Shimabukuro, both considered value bets. The match between Tiafoe and Hijikata is expected to be close, with Hijikata covering the games handicap as a potential betting opportunity. Overall, the tournament promises exciting first-round matchups, with Tiafoe playing under the lights and top players vying for the title in a tournament that has become a citywide festival with additional events.