For more than three decades, Dr. George C. Branche, III, MD has had a front-row seat to professional tennis in Washington, DC – not just as a fan, but as a physician caring for the athletes who compete on the court.
This year, Dr. Branche was honored for 35 years of service to the tournament’s medical team, marking an incredible milestone in a career that has connected his passion for sports with his work in orthopaedic medicine.
From the Legg Mason Tennis Classic and Citi Open to today’s Mubadala Citi DC Open, Dr. Branche has been a familiar presence behind the scenes, helping provide medical care for professional tennis players competing in Washington.
And for someone who grew up playing sports himself, it is a fitting role.
From Tennis Player to Tournament Physician
Dr. Branche’s connection to sports medicine is personal as well as professional. An avid tennis player, he has spent more than three decades caring for professional athletes competing in Washington and helping athletes stay healthy and on the court.
His clinical practice at Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic focuses on sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder, bringing together his orthopaedic expertise and lifelong appreciation for athletics.
That combination has made his involvement with professional tennis a natural extension of his work as an orthopaedic surgeon.
35 Years of Medical Care at Washington’s Tennis Tournament
The tournament itself has a remarkable history. The event traces its roots to 1969, when it was founded by Donald Dell, John Harris, and Arthur Ashe, and it has remained part of Washington’s summer sports tradition for more than five decades. Today, the event is known as the Mubadala Citi DC Open.
For Dr. Branche, that history represents 35 years of being part of the tournament from the medical side.
Over the years, his service has included many years as Medical Director, providing medical leadership and care in an environment where professional athletes are performing at an exceptionally high level.
The demands of professional tennis can be significant, particularly during Washington’s summer heat. In a 2023 interview about the tournament, Dr. Branche discussed what tennis players experience while competing in Washington and the importance of training and conditioning for the conditions they encounter. At that point, he was entering his 32nd year providing medical support to the tournament.
Three years later, that milestone has grown to 35 years.
Sports Medicine Behind the Scenes
When fans watch professional tennis, they see the points, serves, rallies and competition.
Behind the scenes, however, professional athletes rely on an entire team of people working to support their health and performance.
Tournament physicians are an important part of that team.
Dr. Branche’s decades of involvement with the DC Open reflect an aspect of sports medicine that often happens away from the spotlight: evaluating injuries, addressing medical concerns and helping athletes receive appropriate care so they can focus on competing.
His work with professional tennis also complements his broader sports-medicine practice. At Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic, Dr. Branche treats sports-related conditions and specializes in arthroscopic procedures involving the knee and shoulder.
A Career Rooted in Sports Medicine
Dr. Branche joined Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic in October 1989, where his practice has focused on arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine. His professional background also includes teaching and involvement with national and professional sports-medicine organizations.
His connection to athletes extends beyond professional tennis. According to his Anderson Clinic biography, he has also provided care for local college and high school athletes and has assisted with medical care for the Potomac Nationals minor league baseball team.
Today, he continues to bring that experience to patients at Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic, where the Sports Medicine team treats athletes and active individuals at every level – from recreational athletes to those competing at the highest levels of sport.
Celebrating 35 Years – and Counting
Thirty-five years of tournament medical service is more than a milestone. It represents decades of commitment to athletes, sports medicine and the Washington community.
And perhaps the best part of the story is that Dr. Branche has experienced the tournament from both sides of the court – as an athlete himself and as the physician helping care for those who compete there.
Congratulations to Dr. George Branche on 35 years of service to Washington’s professional tennis tournament and on a remarkable career dedicated to sports medicine.
We are proud to celebrate this milestone and the many athletes he has helped along the way.
Dr. George C. Branche, III, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon at Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic specializing in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder. He has been a tournament physician for professional tennis in Washington, DC, for 35 years.
Dr. Branche has provided medical support for Washington’s professional tennis tournament for 35 years. His service spans the tournament’s evolution from the Legg Mason Tennis Classic and Citi Open to today’s Mubadala Citi DC Open.
A tournament physician helps provide medical care for athletes competing at an event. This can include evaluating injuries and medical concerns and helping athletes receive appropriate care during competition.
Dr. Branche specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder, including knee arthroscopy, knee ligament reconstruction, shoulder arthroscopy and shoulder reconstruction.
Dr. Branche sees patients at Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic’s Shirlington (Arlington) and Annandale (Fairfax) offices.
Learn more about Dr. Branche’s sports medicine expertise or request an appointment with Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic.
