We went to the US Open 9 straight years when I was younger and played. It was cool to meet the players and the NYC atmosphere is great. But unless you have really good seats it is not a great place to "see" the game. The balls are flying and very hard to tell on close shots. However, with today's technology it is fun to watch on tv and get the calls right.
much better live, especially the outside courts (of any given tourney). Your literally right next to the players.
You get to appreciate how hard these guys/gals can hit it, and how GOOD certain players are, and how average others are. T.V pales in comparison.
Now if your in a city that host's a major tournament ( a GS or a TMS event) and has a BIG stadium court, if you have 'bad' seats, then it's not so good--but, simply go watch a match at the outside courts. Go to the tourney on a Monday, Tuesday, Wed (or even qualies), you'll have a blast jumping from court to court. Most of the players are very nice.
You get to appreciate how hard these guys/gals can hit it, and how GOOD certain players are, and how average others are. T.V pales in comparison.
Now if your in a city that host's a major tournament ( a GS or a TMS event) and has a BIG stadium court, if you have 'bad' seats, then it's not so good--but, simply go watch a match at the outside courts. Go to the tourney on a Monday, Tuesday, Wed (or even qualies), you'll have a blast jumping from court to court. Most of the players are very nice.
Neat to watch matches on outside courts. I was at the Nasdaq last year in March in Miami and saw Nadal playing in a doubles match. This was right before he hit the big time and I didn't even know who he was. There was only 15 people watching the match....me and 14 screaming teenage girls.
Well worth the effort of watching these guys play if they come to your town. Can't really appreciate how good they are until seeing them in person.
Well worth the effort of watching these guys play if they come to your town. Can't really appreciate how good they are until seeing them in person.
I have been to two tournaments in my life. I went to last year's US Open men's semis, women's final, and men's final. I had OK seats for men's semis, horrible seats for women's seat and great seats for men's final. It really makes a difference where you sit EXCEPT with possible exception of Agassi matches. It's electric no matter where you sit, but generally if you sit up in the 300 section, you are better off watching it on the big screen.
Now the other one I went to is the Nasdaq. I went in early rounds and spent a FRACTION and of the money and I mean fraction and saw ALL the players practice. Hingis, Fed, Elena, Sharapova, Mauresmo, Roddick. They all practice an hour and a half away before their matches. And most of them are SO accomodating to the kids in terms of giving them autographs. Then since there are so many matches you can see players sometimes in front row of matches and most of the top players play doubles for some reason. For the record Dementieva is better looking in person and Sharapova looks better on TV than she does in person. I would higly recommend Miami cause celebrites love Miami and lots of the tennis players live near there so they all play. None of the withdrawal crap that happens so much in the game.
I sat at the front of the loge section for the Agassi/Federer match. and it was like nothing I have ever seen. I don't go to many sporting events at all. Hell I live 10 minutes from Wrigley and haven't gone to a Cub game this year, but I like to go to big events! Part of the reason is gambling ruins enjoyment of sports. Other reason is sports is so watered down in so many leagues. But I have been to the World Series twice. My only NFL game ever was the Super Bowl. They are not even close to how cool last year's Open was and tennis tournaments in general are. Tennis tournaments are nice weather. Variety of food courts. Shops for the women. Things for kids. 10's running around everywhere except for the dykes. It's an event. Even if you don't like tennis, it's a great time. I am hoping to go on Sunday and Monday but it doesn't look very likely right now.
Now the other one I went to is the Nasdaq. I went in early rounds and spent a FRACTION and of the money and I mean fraction and saw ALL the players practice. Hingis, Fed, Elena, Sharapova, Mauresmo, Roddick. They all practice an hour and a half away before their matches. And most of them are SO accomodating to the kids in terms of giving them autographs. Then since there are so many matches you can see players sometimes in front row of matches and most of the top players play doubles for some reason. For the record Dementieva is better looking in person and Sharapova looks better on TV than she does in person. I would higly recommend Miami cause celebrites love Miami and lots of the tennis players live near there so they all play. None of the withdrawal crap that happens so much in the game.
I sat at the front of the loge section for the Agassi/Federer match. and it was like nothing I have ever seen. I don't go to many sporting events at all. Hell I live 10 minutes from Wrigley and haven't gone to a Cub game this year, but I like to go to big events! Part of the reason is gambling ruins enjoyment of sports. Other reason is sports is so watered down in so many leagues. But I have been to the World Series twice. My only NFL game ever was the Super Bowl. They are not even close to how cool last year's Open was and tennis tournaments in general are. Tennis tournaments are nice weather. Variety of food courts. Shops for the women. Things for kids. 10's running around everywhere except for the dykes. It's an event. Even if you don't like tennis, it's a great time. I am hoping to go on Sunday and Monday but it doesn't look very likely right now.
