A Top Ten From the BNP Paribas Open
I spent the last three days at the BNP Paribas Open (aka Indian Wells). Even though I grew up in Southern California and the tournament has been huge for veritably forever, this was my first trip. It will not be my last. I truly couldn't imagine having a better time.
When I arrived on the scene Tuesday morning at 9:30am, I was a novice. I got up to speed pretty quickly, but I've made a short list (in the form of one of my Top Ten Lists) of 'take-aways' that I'll try to remember for next year.
1. When in the EZ Bake Oven that is Stadium 1, remember to cover your knees and your elbows. Don't ask, just do. P.S. The seats can get really, really, really hot. Sit carefully.
2. Buy tickets on the West side of the stadium for all Day Sessions. As the sun tracks across the sky, shade will arrive. Shade is good. Reference #1 above.
3. Watching tennis from the end-zone is best. No migraine inducing side-to-side head movement is required AND the view is great. This may not be true of all tennis venues, but it is an absolute certainty at the stadiums courts at Indian Wells (Loge and above on Stadium 1, you see the whole court so end-zone seating is not as important).
4. It's tennis retail heaven. Plan to spend money. Even if you don't plan to spend money.
5. If you don't BYO, $11.99 is not too expensive for sunscreen. Likewise, if you don't BYO, $4.00 is not too expensive for a 20oz bottle of water. In the ordinary world, yes. On a scorching desert day at Indian Wells, no.
6. Tennis people are the nicest people in the world. Everyone chats and everyone is pleasant. Even the people who are rooting against the player you are rooting for.
7. Walk-overs suck but a women's doubles match can be a real treat, if you stick around to watch it. So stick around to watch it.
8. Stand up and stretch on change overs. It's great advice, trust me.
9. General Admission seats in the end-zone (Reference #3 above) on Stadiums 2 and 3 are the absolute best seats in the house. There may not be a better place to watch tennis in the world.
10. Early rounds are the best. You get to see a lot of matches and a lot of players up close. Sure, the Semis and Finals are prestigious, but you only get to see the players who win enough to get there and then only on the big stadium court.
Bonus -
11. Only children should carry around big tennis balls for player autographs. Adults, grab a ticket, program, hat, or body part you don't plan to wash again. Make it look like it's just a spur of the moment thing. Bottom line, kids can stalk; adults should not. (Note to self - Borrow a kid for next year).
The BNP Paribas Open is a great tournament in a great venue in a great city, an absolute blast and really quite addictive. It was the best vacation I've taken in years, maybe the best vacation ever. It was THAT much fun. Seriously. Don't believe me? Come see for yourself next year.
When I arrived on the scene Tuesday morning at 9:30am, I was a novice. I got up to speed pretty quickly, but I've made a short list (in the form of one of my Top Ten Lists) of 'take-aways' that I'll try to remember for next year.
** The weather was hotter than normal so some items may not apply every year **
1. When in the EZ Bake Oven that is Stadium 1, remember to cover your knees and your elbows. Don't ask, just do. P.S. The seats can get really, really, really hot. Sit carefully.
2. Buy tickets on the West side of the stadium for all Day Sessions. As the sun tracks across the sky, shade will arrive. Shade is good. Reference #1 above.
3. Watching tennis from the end-zone is best. No migraine inducing side-to-side head movement is required AND the view is great. This may not be true of all tennis venues, but it is an absolute certainty at the stadiums courts at Indian Wells (Loge and above on Stadium 1, you see the whole court so end-zone seating is not as important).
4. It's tennis retail heaven. Plan to spend money. Even if you don't plan to spend money.
5. If you don't BYO, $11.99 is not too expensive for sunscreen. Likewise, if you don't BYO, $4.00 is not too expensive for a 20oz bottle of water. In the ordinary world, yes. On a scorching desert day at Indian Wells, no.
6. Tennis people are the nicest people in the world. Everyone chats and everyone is pleasant. Even the people who are rooting against the player you are rooting for.
7. Walk-overs suck but a women's doubles match can be a real treat, if you stick around to watch it. So stick around to watch it.
8. Stand up and stretch on change overs. It's great advice, trust me.
9. General Admission seats in the end-zone (Reference #3 above) on Stadiums 2 and 3 are the absolute best seats in the house. There may not be a better place to watch tennis in the world.
10. Early rounds are the best. You get to see a lot of matches and a lot of players up close. Sure, the Semis and Finals are prestigious, but you only get to see the players who win enough to get there and then only on the big stadium court.
Bonus -
11. Only children should carry around big tennis balls for player autographs. Adults, grab a ticket, program, hat, or body part you don't plan to wash again. Make it look like it's just a spur of the moment thing. Bottom line, kids can stalk; adults should not. (Note to self - Borrow a kid for next year).
The BNP Paribas Open is a great tournament in a great venue in a great city, an absolute blast and really quite addictive. It was the best vacation I've taken in years, maybe the best vacation ever. It was THAT much fun. Seriously. Don't believe me? Come see for yourself next year.
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