A new tradition? Charlotte Sports Foundation brings Carlos Alcaraz-led exhibition to town 

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Madison Keys, future Charlotte resident? If Bjorn Fratangelo has it his way, the newlyweds will be making a move up north to the Queen City.

“My husband really wants to move here,” the former world No. 7 revealed to press Friday. “So he basically sent me to look at homes. The few hours that I have, I'm probably gonna check out some.”

Keys is in town for tonight’s Charlotte Invitational alongside good friend Sloane Stephens, compatriot Frances Tiafoe and four-time major winner Carlos Alcaraz. The Spectrum Center spectacle is the latest brainchild of the nonprofit Charlotte Sports Foundation set to make its debut, following event launches that include the Jumpman Invitational, Duke’s Mayo Classic and Ally Tipoff, which featured the University of Iowa-led Caitlin Clark in its inaugural year.

“Our mission is to bring high-profile sporting events to Charlotte that have economic impact and add to the quality of life. This one certainly fits it to a T,” Danny Morrison, executive director of the Charlotte Sports Foundation, told TENNIS.com.

“We started thinking, ‘Wouldn't it be great to have a mega tennis event with some of the best players in the world?’ Charlotte is a fabulous tennis community.”

WATCH: Charlotte Invitational action from 7 p.m. ET Friday on Tennis Channel or stream on our app

In terms of current tennis star power, it doesn’t get much bigger than Alcaraz. The 21-year-old, coming off an appearance at Madison Square Garden where he also headlined an exhibition featuring three American peers, is an Australian Open title away from completing a career Grand Slam.

“I’m super happy to be here, have the chance to be able to play in front of a tennis crowd, tennis people,” said the Spaniard.

As far as the on-court energy department goes, Alcaraz expects to meet his match in Tiafoe. Especially given the NBA super fan’s opportunity to play inside the home of the Charlotte Hornets.

“This will definitely be a different experience, so I’m pretty excited about it. Staying for the game tomorrow, too,” Tiafoe shared.

Our mission is to bring high-profile sporting events to Charlotte that have economic impact and add to the quality of life. This one certainly fits it to a T. Danny Morrison

Morrison was upbeat about the response to ticket sales, praising his city's investment with keeping its venues ‘cutting edge’ in delivering the best experience to talent, spectators and stakeholders. If his organization’s track record is a barometer, this latest experiment could be the community’s pro tennis blueprint for 2025 and beyond.

“Our hope would be that we could do something in the tennis space on an annual basis if it makes sense. That would be where we are on that,” said Morrison.

“Success would be where the players have had a great experience, the fans have had a great experience, and people want to come back to this kind of event in the future.”

Believes 2017 US Open champion Stephens, “It’s always super fun to come to a city we’ve never played in before. Tennis is so big here. To just get it started with us and some really good representation, is a good start for Charlotte.”

Would the players welcome Charlotte as an additional tour stop?

“We’re fighting to play less tournaments, so I don’t know,” said Alcaraz as the room erupted with laughter. “I think this would be great being in another place. But let’s see.”

Joked Tiafoe, “Carlos hates playing more than three weeks ‘cause he wins every tournament.”