tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89848741613525012272024-03-14T06:25:32.079-05:00I have a tennis addictionTips, experiences and opinions on all things tennis!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-88512671287419691692023-01-04T17:56:00.002-06:002023-01-04T17:57:10.800-06:00Thoughts on the Vienna ATP 500 event<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HoVa4uagKtAzt2LO806ew5F4QjhOF-10AtFrEZZSHt9dAXTlTXGdk1Vid91NWCfuGfDSKCe-xiPsl-yXVLZVnfMwuBL2Tnxq9GvjfwlVAnjwEkm4RVsGZPbYi8aLAEeMBY1e4GACjqaLxhPHhuLOAkIyZCst98BpEmk2hXcgnHBPvHIhF9AMs68FVg/s2048/FgXnXHaWIAIgkZY.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="447" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HoVa4uagKtAzt2LO806ew5F4QjhOF-10AtFrEZZSHt9dAXTlTXGdk1Vid91NWCfuGfDSKCe-xiPsl-yXVLZVnfMwuBL2Tnxq9GvjfwlVAnjwEkm4RVsGZPbYi8aLAEeMBY1e4GACjqaLxhPHhuLOAkIyZCst98BpEmk2hXcgnHBPvHIhF9AMs68FVg/w595-h447/FgXnXHaWIAIgkZY.jpeg" width="595" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">A few years ago, I made a tennis bucket list. I've been to a <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2018/01/tennis-tourney-tips-digest.html" target="_blank">LOT of tourneys</a> all over the world so I really have hit just about everything I ever dreamed of seeing as a tennis fan: Olympics, all the slams, ATP and WTA finals. Davis Cup final. I had planned to attend the Fed Cup Finals in 2020 but well...those plans went awry....</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">So I went through the ATP and WTA calendars and noted the tourneys that were in locations I also wanted to visit. I have been to the majority of US events with a few exceptions of some smaller ATP-only events like Atlanta. So my focus was on overseas events!</p><p style="text-align: left;">When 2020 travel plans to Budapest (sob WTA Finals) became a late 2022 trip I decided to arrange my vacation plans around the Vienna ATP 500 event which was on my bucket list. It ended up being a <a href="https://www.erstebank-open.com/en/news/erste-bank-open-set-new-fan-record/" target="_blank">record setting year</a> for the event, as it topped 70,000 fans attending this year!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Here are some tips and info based on my three days at the <a href="https://www.erstebank-open.com/en/" target="_blank">Erste Bank Open 2022</a>:</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Tickets</b></h3><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXnLCs270EGzkCXVqynq7h4T3lLUtMANwa6QdjUpUd_b0QmmrirFrrkPrF7PuOGP3i0aqcUKIt2fgLBFMN6ANBNLtx8d4GNyMYS0Gr4pBBhhaCEFlt7QTZ_7JD0A5UIs26W-2b9Pvf2cVwz3LBQpmMHMLM5fkXrIGduXu3tN_CpoE1B2bcCEYl-u0Yw/s4032/IMG_8939.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXnLCs270EGzkCXVqynq7h4T3lLUtMANwa6QdjUpUd_b0QmmrirFrrkPrF7PuOGP3i0aqcUKIt2fgLBFMN6ANBNLtx8d4GNyMYS0Gr4pBBhhaCEFlt7QTZ_7JD0A5UIs26W-2b9Pvf2cVwz3LBQpmMHMLM5fkXrIGduXu3tN_CpoE1B2bcCEYl-u0Yw/w301-h402/IMG_8939.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">I asked some tennis twitter experts who'd been to the Vienna event before about buying tickets ahead of time. It was suggested it wasn't an issue getting them right before the tourney with the exception of semis and final tickets. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Normally, I would not have left my home without tennis tickets, but since the tourney was not the main focus on my travels I wanted to keep my schedule flexible. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I finally purchased a ticket for the first Monday of the tourney when I was already in Vienna. I paid 72 euro on the <a href="https://www.oeticket.com" target="_blank">OE Ticket website</a> and had my hotel print out the ticket. Once I got onsite, I then bought a ticket for the Wednesday matches as there wasn't much availability on the website so I thought I'd just check onsite. </p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">If you are onsite, there is a special box office area in the building just next to the tennis tourney entrance. I wasn't sure if the e-ticket worked as a mobile ticket, so it was just as easy for me to buy onsite so they printed my ticket for me.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Location</b></h3><p>Getting to the venue - <a href="https://www.stadthalle.com/en" target="_blank">Wiener Stadthalle</a> - was super easy. I stayed just outside the city center and on day one, I took an uber there and then the subway back. On day two, I walked there and took the subway back. My third day, we took the subway and walked back at night which was amazing. It's about a 5-ish minute walk from the stadium to the subway and it was really easy to figure out the ticket situation. </p><p>If you do choose to walk (and I'd highly suggest), you will see some beautiful neighborhoods along the way to/from the city center and it was especially lovely at night.</p><p>If you do take the subway, it's just a 2.40 euro ticket each way so a very cheap option!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XSM35AUETtEZO71QYh9AIv3zIP-6Am_XsNBEuCIP-5y9WoHQw622Eu_pBb4eMwd58noSL5Bc_Mwc1t_MyDR3wLKWBMplvSYhYYcNwmybhd1KJA17zV-yDBw6Q5_yZoHUFO5sfSBPOrAvk7sI4iqotdfIa34iKrIg8o22gSELdkUUCPVFAuk3L13HNQ/s4032/IMG_8955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XSM35AUETtEZO71QYh9AIv3zIP-6Am_XsNBEuCIP-5y9WoHQw622Eu_pBb4eMwd58noSL5Bc_Mwc1t_MyDR3wLKWBMplvSYhYYcNwmybhd1KJA17zV-yDBw6Q5_yZoHUFO5sfSBPOrAvk7sI4iqotdfIa34iKrIg8o22gSELdkUUCPVFAuk3L13HNQ/w570-h428/IMG_8955.jpg" width="570" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Venue</b></h3><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJI023maVpAU6PAE7xlaw9OBO1oxepOyFmXGITxrTpOpUcQOEC5SOkwy4iogDR7U8aUZQuX__f-AYPJYqcI08HnvwN9SDR-J96sJLxTktbpv0QN9sj0jCMIUz8tdKzbDfhvEPYfMqPdGAipOSBT4RQDM__Kxy6JQ0pTzO4OTZhQk2fN_qAqse2qgPLiA/s3088/IMG_8983.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJI023maVpAU6PAE7xlaw9OBO1oxepOyFmXGITxrTpOpUcQOEC5SOkwy4iogDR7U8aUZQuX__f-AYPJYqcI08HnvwN9SDR-J96sJLxTktbpv0QN9sj0jCMIUz8tdKzbDfhvEPYfMqPdGAipOSBT4RQDM__Kxy6JQ0pTzO4OTZhQk2fN_qAqse2qgPLiA/w270-h368/IMG_8983.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>I've only been to a handful of indoor events - ATP and WTA finals, Fed Cup, Davis Cup - and they are all different. With outdoor events there's much more to do - sponsor booths with activities, player signing areas, practice sessions, etc. The Vienna tourney was super unique in that it was actually held in two different venues! The main court was in the <a href="https://www.stadthalle.com/en/wir/hallen" target="_blank">Wiener Stadthalle</a> but the other court was actually in a different part of Vienna! I did not realize that on the first day until I asked where the other match was, but but the second location was <a href="https://www.wev1867.at" target="_blank">Wiener Eislauf-Verein at the Heumarkt.</a> You actually have to pay for a separate ticket for this and it's not included in the Wiener Stadthalle ticket so that was quite unique. <br /><p></p><p>There were also no practice courts to watch so it felt very strange from most tourneys I've attended. But it was fine - I just watched the matches that were on the order and play. </p><p>The good news is that the main stadium is right by a park and it was easy to come and go if you wanted (I mostly stayed in but when you leave they do want to scan your ticket to allow re-entry). </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Food</b></h3><p>There were two main hallways with food options that were near the bathrooms and access to some of the court entrance points. Not surprisingly there were a lot of pretzel and sausages for sale! <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8FMvqkWc6GTaf3cEQnO_aG1819FWXzK2VXh87KYp3wNtgdYncSDHvnnNf16Ffg-i5oKbNKM6mfmz_OiS0raNJTpgkb7oAeYKF5zC7pTN97dM6UmbHT2Gh7E6LvQ3aDLBIpkTf0JY-pogqA3NFMaHjJfHIyhEZobvragBWehna95gNbVa2uIz9A66fg/s4032/IMG_8976.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8FMvqkWc6GTaf3cEQnO_aG1819FWXzK2VXh87KYp3wNtgdYncSDHvnnNf16Ffg-i5oKbNKM6mfmz_OiS0raNJTpgkb7oAeYKF5zC7pTN97dM6UmbHT2Gh7E6LvQ3aDLBIpkTf0JY-pogqA3NFMaHjJfHIyhEZobvragBWehna95gNbVa2uIz9A66fg/w317-h336/IMG_8976.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><br />Note - I at first thought I could not bring in my own drink bottle but on my second and third visits I did bring a small plastic bottle with me and security let me bring it in. One thing that was fabulous about this tourney was the presence of sparking/still water dispensers. What a treat (I LOVE sparkling water). If you buy a drink from one of the stalls, you will pay a 2 euro deposit for the plastic cup with your chosen beverage in it, so be sure to return the cup to any of the food stalls to get your deposit back.<p></p><p>I wouldn't say it was the best food court I'd ever seen but for the few days I was there it worked!</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Crowd</b></h3><p>In general the crowd seemed polite and just enjoyed a day of sport. I gratefully was able to attend part of a day to see Dominic Thiem play in front of his home crowd against top seed Daniil Medvedev. My friend had arrived from the UK so I convinced her to come with me so we were just there 3-4 hours but the crowd during that match was phenomenal! Even tho Thiem is not the player he was a few years ago, it was a boisterous crowd every time Domi won a point and the crowd tried to will him to stay in the match. </p><p>I found people to be well behaved and polite so well done Vienna! Also, the staff and all tourney staff/volunteers were great too. I was grateful English was so commonly spoken at the tourney (and in Vienna in general) so it wasn't an issue to get help with any questions I had at the tennis.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Tips and final thoughts:</b></h3><p>I heartily endorse attending the Vienna ATP tournament! The crowds were super engaged, all the staff were very friendly and I loved how easy it was to get to the venue.</p><p>If I had any negatives, it was how WARM it was inside the stadium (I felt that way in general during my time in Vienna - it was like the heat was cranked way too hot for the October weather). But other than the lack of choices onsite it was a very pleasant event!</p><p>If you need some advice about planning a visit to Vienna, check out my 2022 post <a href="https://travelsbysteph.wordpress.com/2022/12/13/austria-vienna-take-two/" target="_blank">here</a> and a recap of Vienna's Christmas markets <a href="https://travelsbysteph.wordpress.com/2019/01/05/austria-vienna/" target="_blank">here</a>!</p><p>FYI - here is my bucket list for tennis tourneys - hmm which one will I visit next? </p><p><i>(Note this list was accurate based in the 2020 ATP/WTA tennis calendar pre-pandemic) </i></p><p><b>ATP events</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>ATP Rotterdam (indoor hard) ATP 500 early Feb</li><li>Hungarian Open (clay) ATP 250 April </li><li>Estoril (clay) ATP 250 - late April/early May</li><li>Halle (outdoor grass) ATP 500 - mid to late June</li><li>St Petersburg (indoor hard) ATP 250 mid to late Sept</li><li>Moscow (indoor hard) ATP 250 mid to late Oct</li><li>Vienna (indoor hard) ATP 500 - late October</li><li>Milan (Next Gen ATP Finals) early Nov</li></ul><p></p><p><b>WTA events</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>St Petersburg (indoor hard) - early to mid Feb</li><li>Budapest (indoor hard) - mid Feb</li><li>Stuttgart (indoor hard) - mid to late April</li><li>Berlin (outdoor grass) - mid-June</li><li>Birmingham (outdoor grass) - mid-June</li><li>Moscow (indoor hard) - mid to late Oct</li><li>Luxembourg (indoor hard) - mid to late Oct</li></ul>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-88098262288859497892019-09-21T09:10:00.001-05:002020-07-23T17:04:05.439-05:00Tennis tourney tips digest<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KxoBMy3Obx1OlH-wZqlOrSRa8weHGhwAmTQSWMYELoKzkxko54JAfDt4iZKCRWunfWTvSZyzhemf-Ga5Z8hBpc8MWvpwkwHWqnWPe2_KYfkrIMyt6CWFoYnLdqN_3LsvM7asORz-_VGK/s1600/Day+2+181.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KxoBMy3Obx1OlH-wZqlOrSRa8weHGhwAmTQSWMYELoKzkxko54JAfDt4iZKCRWunfWTvSZyzhemf-Ga5Z8hBpc8MWvpwkwHWqnWPe2_KYfkrIMyt6CWFoYnLdqN_3LsvM7asORz-_VGK/s320/Day+2+181.JPG" width="240" /></a>I started this blog back in 2011 and the timing was perfect as I ended up travelling to 10 (<a href="https://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-2011-44-days-of-glory.html" target="_blank">yes 10</a>) tourneys that year, including all four slams. I wanted an outlet to talk even more about tennis, and share tips on attending various tournaments around the world.<br />
<br />
Some of my posts probably need some updates, but here's is a list of all the tourneys I have written about after attending.<br />
<br />
<b>Slams:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/03/wisdom-from-attending-13-days-of-aussie.html" target="_blank">Australian Open</a> and <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2012/01/australian-open-grounds-pass.html" target="_blank">here</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/06/roland-garrossome-thoughts.html" target="_blank">French Open</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2016/07/views-on-all-things-wimbledon.html" target="_blank">Wimbledon</a> and <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2013/07/wacky-wednesday-at-wimbledon-my-centre.html" target="_blank">here</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2016/07/us-open-tips-tips-tips.html" target="_blank">US Open</a> and <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2014/09/us-open-2014-highs-lows-and-my-stint-as.html" target="_blank">here</a> with a 2019 update <b><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2019/09/us-open-tips-time-for-update.html" target="_blank">here</a></b></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2014/05/behind-scenes-us-open-tour.html" target="_blank">US Open Tour</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/09/grand-slam-rankings.html" target="_blank">Grand slam rankings</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>WTA and ATP events:</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidjVHtJbOhZ-6R8Rm5gj8mHz_bWZhLfQaQwpxHGdFGHivinEvbDKa8MELwGKIAfgZu5MPXB5ngdX62PvwKf32Z73TEDpxPHFa7k4EjprLi5Nw2Qke9kzTF-w-m88GMZth4ESbyEg2_qWP/s1600/IMG_2313.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidjVHtJbOhZ-6R8Rm5gj8mHz_bWZhLfQaQwpxHGdFGHivinEvbDKa8MELwGKIAfgZu5MPXB5ngdX62PvwKf32Z73TEDpxPHFa7k4EjprLi5Nw2Qke9kzTF-w-m88GMZth4ESbyEg2_qWP/s320/IMG_2313.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/12/asb-classic-starting-soon.html" target="_blank">Auckland</a> (I never really wrote up tips, tho attended the tourneys 5 years in a row and used to run their social media and website)</li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/03/tips-for-enjoying-and-surviving-bnp.html" target="_blank">Indian Wells</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-close-look-at-sony-open-my-9-days-in.html" target="_blank">Miami </a></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2017/08/charleston-tips.html" target="_blank">Charleston (WTA)</a> and <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2013/04/final-thoughts-on-family-circle-cup.html" target="_blank">here</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/05/deconstructing-madrid.html" target="_blank">Madrid</a> (Also <a href="http://www.changeovertennis.com/final-thoughts-on-the-mutua-madrid-open/" target="_blank">here</a> on The Changeover website)</li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2019/07/tips-for-attending-internazionali-bnl.html" target="_blank">Rome</a> (added in 2019)</li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/06/queens.html" target="_blank">Queens</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2013/06/tuesdays-action-in-eastbourne.html" target="_blank">Eastbourne</a> and <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2013/06/wednesdays-action-in-eastbourne.html" target="_blank">here</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2013/07/newport-hall-of-fame-museum-and.html" target="_blank">Newport (ATP)</a></li>
<li>Washington DC (guess I never posted anything, but attended in both 2013 and 2014.</li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2014/08/coupe-rogers-2014.html" target="_blank">Montreal (WTA)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2017/08/cincy-take-iii.html" target="_blank">Cincinnati</a> and <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/08/thoughts-from-2015-western-and-southern.html" target="_blank">here</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2014/11/wta-finals-in-singapore-tip-time.html" target="_blank">Singapore (WTA Finals)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/search/label/WTF" target="_blank">ATP World Tour Finals</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DxG2h3xF2aq-VZygkjnK_TE9nyHQ2N7gpOOv6anIatfGX6O5lb1FA7M1bzSoFppVeiMXFN1o2RxHVB8lXHU6R4MEXD9hSIJHnUA13XKAn3HqGmAxIATXXeNJHOgzoiJ781pHs4zFv9TG/s1600/309_30311871966_654166966_1223768_4812_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DxG2h3xF2aq-VZygkjnK_TE9nyHQ2N7gpOOv6anIatfGX6O5lb1FA7M1bzSoFppVeiMXFN1o2RxHVB8lXHU6R4MEXD9hSIJHnUA13XKAn3HqGmAxIATXXeNJHOgzoiJ781pHs4zFv9TG/s320/309_30311871966_654166966_1223768_4812_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<b>Etc:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/04/flashback-2002-fed-cup-us-vs-austria.html" target="_blank">Fed Cup</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/search/label/Davis%20Cup" target="_blank">Davis Cup</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/search/label/Olympics" target="_blank">Olympics</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2017/08/revisiting-2014-hall-of-fame-induction.html" target="_blank">International Tennis Hall of Fame induction</a> and <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2013/07/newport-hall-of-fame-museum-and.html" target="_blank">here</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
I'm always happy to answer questions, or elaborate so leave a comment here or hit me up on <a href="https://twitter.com/StephintheUS" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. And a word of advice - always GO!</div>
</div>
Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-81403044445920544252019-09-16T20:24:00.001-05:002019-09-17T11:04:29.451-05:00US Open - tips!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOIBPc5uN8SBUNs8_4zWQYNkb-weQO_idDRhcg63Nmm7bjRTB4gEYg1JyZVWWGO5G5rnbBmVir3d3EjsbSAUIbHzxfiHAlIn351JPKhs5lMtC1QeCixay-3GCLmkBIjJytxpFpxq1iUti/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2afe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOIBPc5uN8SBUNs8_4zWQYNkb-weQO_idDRhcg63Nmm7bjRTB4gEYg1JyZVWWGO5G5rnbBmVir3d3EjsbSAUIbHzxfiHAlIn351JPKhs5lMtC1QeCixay-3GCLmkBIjJytxpFpxq1iUti/s400/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2afe.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
For years, I've not been the biggest fan of the US Open. It's hot. It's crowded. It's pricey. The food was average. Ashe Stadium was too big. I also didn't feel they were very friendly to anyone with accessibility options which is a big strike with me.<br />
<br />
The US Open is A LOT. I don't know if I've become more tolerant (doubtful) or if the place has just worn me down. But I think 2019 was my best ever experience at the last slam of the year.<br />
<br />
I tend to spend most of my Labor Day weekends at the tennis, and 2019 was my 8th trip to the Open so it's by far the tourney I've attended the most. I always loved watching the tennis but felt the last slam on the tennis calendar was just hard work. But in the past 5 years, the grounds at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center have undergone so many changes that the tourney has really improved.<br />
<br />
Here's my updated summary of how to tackle the US Open. Per usual I'll summarize the grounds, ticketing experience, food and the crowd. I'll also touch on the stadiums, transportation and practice courts.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim22Tgwg0rVwLtjcB12sbsW22WJkXFjHif2QPl91Li_DiLJWLvQXvD5zcSLox9zgv9pHyEjOYzTFmOtV6G5uVLetnHPee9y3K402u24kgG0Z7fey7p4uIaIbOlvE0s13NpvNHQv-I-JygW/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2b09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim22Tgwg0rVwLtjcB12sbsW22WJkXFjHif2QPl91Li_DiLJWLvQXvD5zcSLox9zgv9pHyEjOYzTFmOtV6G5uVLetnHPee9y3K402u24kgG0Z7fey7p4uIaIbOlvE0s13NpvNHQv-I-JygW/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2b09.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arthur Ashe Commemorative Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Ticketing:</h3>
First things, first. You can be as organized or last-minute as you want with the US Open. Some years, I bought a package and made a deposit in February. Other years, including the past two years, I have decided to go and less than 48 hours later I was there! In 2019, I ordered accessible tickets for the first time for our Labor Day weekend, and then I bought resale tickets for both finals literally minutes before I walked into the gates on the day. So, the options are limited though none of them are cheap!<br />
<ul>
<li><b><u>Ticket packages: </u></b>If you want to buy a package, be sure to sign up for the US Open emails and get a notification when deposits are being accepted. In 2016, we made the deposit in February for the Holiday Weekend Mini Plan, and then we could choose our seats in June. I have only ever bought this package, but it gave us all sessions on Arthur Ashe stadium starting Friday night of Labor Day weekend and ended with Monday's night session. I did get an email in October 2018 announcing that deposits were being accepted for ticket packages for 2019.</li>
<li><b><u>Individual tickets: </u></b>This year, individual sessions went on sale to the public on June 3. There are AMEX presales if you have one so be sure to sign up for the US Open emails so you can take advantage. </li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVHXvkWEOP7TrLt6Is3HzwCm2TU0jzGSNxCgWgv40nxtN2c2HsZ5pYh1bVV6PCh-vH3PCd_E3kTzj4_jnyof3Bd4uBGTxUlxnBgYI0qYLG6bHL1FtDjwx09nzp6Te9dZTcJibDxP3CR9e/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2bc6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVHXvkWEOP7TrLt6Is3HzwCm2TU0jzGSNxCgWgv40nxtN2c2HsZ5pYh1bVV6PCh-vH3PCd_E3kTzj4_jnyof3Bd4uBGTxUlxnBgYI0qYLG6bHL1FtDjwx09nzp6Te9dZTcJibDxP3CR9e/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2bc6.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swag from this year's US Open</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><b><u>Accessible tickets: </u></b>In May 2019, I registered for us to be put in the system for accessible seating because my mom was coming with me. It was quite the process, but thankfully we ended up with the tickets we requested. I was told by staff that in 2020, Ticketmaster was going to take over the system which is great news because the website was really hard to navigate. </li>
<ul>
<li>On June 3, I was sent a link and password to login to the US Open Accessible Seating System. </li>
<li>Basically, you choose the price point you want and then you just hope you get those tickets. My response when I placed the order: "This is to confirm we have received your ticket request. It will now be reviewed and if for whatever reason your order cannot be fulfilled, you will be contacted by your USTA point of contact. Submitting an order does not guarantee it will be filled." And HERE is the real kicker:<b> "If the price you have selected is unavailable your order will be filled with the next best available price"</b> Whoa. Next available? So I could have ended up with a hugely costly ticket and they say they have a right to do that? What a messed up system. </li>
<li>I got an email on July 18th telling me that my tickets were now available. So about 6 weeks to find out if you actually got the tickets you requested. Let me tell you, that doesn't really please me. I don't understand why it's not first come, first served? </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Ashe Stadium near the Grandstand</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><b><u>Resale tickets:</u></b> The US Open allows (or Ticketmaster allows?) all tickets to be resold, even accessible seats, at any value the ticket buyers desires. So, there are always tickets on resale should you wish to spend more than face value. It's such BS. Of course, if you're patient and lucky you can get some good deals if someone is selling their tix and they either aren't selling or a big name isn't playing. I tend to stick to Ticketmaster resales, because fees are less than Stubhub and there's a Ticketmaster office right onsite as you near the gate coming off the subway. I needed their help on the day of the men's final as my mobile ticket bar code wasn't available so it's nice to have that support should you need it.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUSHBBahvaiejdPdHCrTNQR6XW7Zalgq0RybUg8qpe_2AKBB8L6S1zUcEdJPp57PAqO4wbVe7WcvMty0vgtFa0UGuuxKtSxQFRzp0rZpiq3LWpCOIXmx03hXSE3hT-G7f9dC7jTkcFZy2/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2c89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUSHBBahvaiejdPdHCrTNQR6XW7Zalgq0RybUg8qpe_2AKBB8L6S1zUcEdJPp57PAqO4wbVe7WcvMty0vgtFa0UGuuxKtSxQFRzp0rZpiq3LWpCOIXmx03hXSE3hT-G7f9dC7jTkcFZy2/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2c89.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking toward the main entrance coming from Mets-Willet Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Transportation:</h3>
<div>
<ul>
<li>It's New York - your best bet is always going to be public transportation, tho Uber is certainly an option depending on what time you come and go. </li>
<li>I always stay in Flushing, so we took an Uber ever morning to the site and got dropped off at Mets-Willet Station. From there you can walk down the boardwalk toward the East Gate, which is the main entrance for most people attending the US Open.</li>
<li>Be warned - if you tell the taxi driver to take you to the US Open they are going to take you on a scenic drive through Flushing Meadow Corona Park where the taxis are allowed to drop off, and you are going to have a decent walk to the grounds. You'll also have a long walk from the subway station or LIRR stop, but at least your cab ride will be shorter! </li>
<li>I come in along the busy boardwalk, and then if I'm alone I walk along the left side of the entrance and walk toward the South Gate. This gate is less nuts, and you get to walk by the Unisphere which is always so pretty. If you do choose to go into the East Gate, you'll wait awhile especially if you have a bag. If you are with someone with accessible needs, you are allowed to go into the credential line. I found staff this year very attentive to mom and her cane so we had no issue entering all 4 days together with barely a wait. On finals weekend, I went into the South Gate on Saturday, and East Gate on Sunday. The lines were both pretty short so getting in was a cinch.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qNRPF3Z5nSjpws5z1b5Zn-OIhmJCrkF7994aaCBId__Y_aRyaQHf_GxvdGe98MWYwONCnXMobekIVMWJwCz7PgXO45OOxqYBKfjwCNTmKkGTU1weXzZ4S12fE-cwjcv_1e0Tf_PGN0oJ/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2bec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qNRPF3Z5nSjpws5z1b5Zn-OIhmJCrkF7994aaCBId__Y_aRyaQHf_GxvdGe98MWYwONCnXMobekIVMWJwCz7PgXO45OOxqYBKfjwCNTmKkGTU1weXzZ4S12fE-cwjcv_1e0Tf_PGN0oJ/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2bec.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div>
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<ul>
<li>Getting out at night can be a bear, so plan wisely. As we stayed in Flushing, we just took the subway one stop and then got an uber to our Airbnb. It worked for us, tho we did try and get an Uber the first night and I didn't realize there was also a Mets game going on so that was not fun. Several drivers accepted the pick up and then cancelled, and the final driver just couldn't get near me so we ended up taking the 7 and an Uber home. </li>
<li>The LIRR is a great option if that's convenient for you. It does cost a bit more, but I always preferred the train to the subway if it worked out. There's a ticket office on the boardwalk.</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjui3dM4MN4BDGorGB3hVQA3BEVA7AQ2vTlpCHVcNZ3ofMjBwXk9bD3b92nwO3BwZDa4pAMNr4FDMFq9Fq5rhNr-Z47fipcaGwcwUlwjoq1b-r64Lr56gWCXlMJzmxDqAEchhfZPIGV6ls9/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2d51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjui3dM4MN4BDGorGB3hVQA3BEVA7AQ2vTlpCHVcNZ3ofMjBwXk9bD3b92nwO3BwZDa4pAMNr4FDMFq9Fq5rhNr-Z47fipcaGwcwUlwjoq1b-r64Lr56gWCXlMJzmxDqAEchhfZPIGV6ls9/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2d51.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Grounds</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>As I said earlier, there have been so many changes to the grounds in the past 4-5 years and to me they are all for the better! There are so many ways to get around from one place to another, which is key given the tens of thousands of people onsite at any given time. </li>
<li>One way the grounds have improved are places to sit. My favorite place is near the South Gate - the Arthur Ashe Commemorative Garden. There are tables, lawns to lie on, trees and shade and it's so peaceful there. There are also benches across from the entrances to Louis Armstrong which are fun for people watching and to watch the bigger screen showing matches or scores. The fountain is a popular place to sit and watch the biggest screen on the grounds on the side of Ashe Stadium. When I attend a tennis tourney, I tend to clear the gates around opening time and stay pretty late so I like to find places on the grounds to sit and chill for a bit during the day. </li>
<li>I have already gone into all the food options just below, so I won't go into much detail here other to say that there options on the grounds have just multiplied over the past few year. Much improved!</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxWBeONRi5fs88hFeDvDSyIeBVSy4ASDXhCMNd2PprZKRcHHjXrEQ0ciSPmJMR21EsxXQLfp8zRJZiCJ8CyO64dEHnF3EVqJ4RGc6RtaN8hTfWCzqPubjqZDkAaJ3VGjNTgUUMchbUrmW/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2be6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxWBeONRi5fs88hFeDvDSyIeBVSy4ASDXhCMNd2PprZKRcHHjXrEQ0ciSPmJMR21EsxXQLfp8zRJZiCJ8CyO64dEHnF3EVqJ4RGc6RtaN8hTfWCzqPubjqZDkAaJ3VGjNTgUUMchbUrmW/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2be6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arthur Ashe Stadium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><b>Stadiums:</b> So much to say here. Arthur Ashe Stadium is huge. It's the biggest stadium in tennis and it seats 23,771 so clearly getting in and out is a challenge. Unless you can afford courtside seats (not me in this lifetime), you'll be sitting in the 100 or 300 section. You'll have to go all the way to the top to get into these levels, tho if you are lucky to be a guest in one of the suites you'll clearly have a different experience. I've only ever been in the USTA Presidential Suite for a work event and got to watch Arthur Ashe Kids Day from that section (dreams - <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2013/09/seven-glorious-days-at-2013-us-open.html" target="_blank">read my recap here</a>). </li>
<ul>
<li>If I had my way, I'd be in the 100 section (called Loge) each time, but it's really overpriced especially now that there are only 2 day matches (it was always 3 matches in the day session until 2018 when the new Louis Armstrong opened. You are not allowed into the Loge section outside of changeovers so it's more civilized viewing here.</li>
<li>The 300 section is called the Promenade and for ticketing purposes it's split between Lower and Upper Promenade. This is tennis hell. There are no ushers here and people come in and out constantly. But this is where the 'average' fan can afford to sit, it's just so many rows (A-Z) so just constantly blocked views by people coming and going. If you have to sit here, buy Lower Prom if you can afford it, and try to avoid the aisles since you won't be able to see whenever anyone walks up and down the steps.</li>
<li>I always used to suggest people buy an Ashe ticket as opposed to any other ticket because it doesn't cost much more than a grounds pass, you can get into any stadium on this ticket, and you are always guaranteed matches due to the roof. Now that Louis Armstrong has reopened and also has a roof, this is also a good option (tho LA does have a general admission area). Previously a grounds pass wasn't a great option in the rain but now that there's LA with the roof that is a better option). I just always buy Ashe because my faves tend to play there. I don't always buy a night session ticket anymore just because you can always get a ticket if you want to last minute without issues.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PORtQ8jGnDgcrfU_yPhaJQtwkCcjMSBzaXznKmjAn3uCNcYBZMk32M5Z7ZcyA97-E3FT0a87uMe4SuhYzSwUADZlUZB-2xhbHXpQ6LAU0FhgQO8x3pWXM6AwBj6zLN0pj1v2Anhr3zR9/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2c9a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PORtQ8jGnDgcrfU_yPhaJQtwkCcjMSBzaXznKmjAn3uCNcYBZMk32M5Z7ZcyA97-E3FT0a87uMe4SuhYzSwUADZlUZB-2xhbHXpQ6LAU0FhgQO8x3pWXM6AwBj6zLN0pj1v2Anhr3zR9/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2c9a.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Louis Armstrong Stadium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul></ul>
<ul><ul>
<li>Louis Armstrong reopened in 2018 and it's a really great stadium that seats 14,000! This year I watched the five-setter between Monfils and Shapovalov here and that match was made for this smaller (albeit still big) stadium. The lower section is all reserved seating, but the whole upper section is general admission so it will fill up when a good match is set to be on the OOP. </li>
<li>Grandstand was also rebuilt and opened again in 2016. The lower section is reserved and upper section is all GA so this is another great court (seats 8,125) that's more intimate and with great views no matter where you sit.</li>
<li>Court 17 is fairly new as well (it opened in 2011) and it's around 2500 or so. This area of the grounds is so great now because of the picnic tables, food stalls and proximity to the food village. Court 17 is open to any ticketholders. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwHDBbX6HqKyumTRc9E2sJ2aeDcppbWi5usv4J59Q6_t-W7_85icaJVQRM7SqqoeTtTEPYL675dNbuH1-2CbEkCxSYeGwM4MC1GiHOYg40gwgETuA8oMqj3KJdpw4E90lfA2Y8L9sL-cu/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2b6c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwHDBbX6HqKyumTRc9E2sJ2aeDcppbWi5usv4J59Q6_t-W7_85icaJVQRM7SqqoeTtTEPYL675dNbuH1-2CbEkCxSYeGwM4MC1GiHOYg40gwgETuA8oMqj3KJdpw4E90lfA2Y8L9sL-cu/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2b6c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practice Courts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><b>Practice Courts:</b> The US Open completely redid the practice courts in 2014 and the changes were amazing. In previous years, the only way to see the 5 practice courts was through a fence on the end. You could sort of stand on an adjacent court to look down on the courts but that wasn't great either. So when they bulldozed the old courts and rebuilt the practice courts they really improved them. Now you can view through the fence on the ground, or go up and sit above the courts. (be warned it get pretty hot up there). There is an elevator up to the stands should you be with someone who needs them. </li>
<ul>
<li>The best bathrooms are located by the practice courts - so many stalls.</li>
<li>There's a water bottle refill station by the bathrooms too.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<h3>
<b>Food </b></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXBqEj8fqSiQZvrAvRJq2IHG6j3kFq_8sLBU0ztYozWPmYFu_t5pIqFpqm9K2hZhF4PhwPQEzlA-cQwOUNK_1fxCQ67tXW28w_MuSbHeO-sBlIffDTS5xh2e0gqGq-6Lt3XyCP2EK2P8N/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2b3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXBqEj8fqSiQZvrAvRJq2IHG6j3kFq_8sLBU0ztYozWPmYFu_t5pIqFpqm9K2hZhF4PhwPQEzlA-cQwOUNK_1fxCQ67tXW28w_MuSbHeO-sBlIffDTS5xh2e0gqGq-6Lt3XyCP2EK2P8N/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2b3b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dumpling Galaxy (we were HUNGRY)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The food at the US Open used to be awful IMO and over the years the food court offerings have gotten so much better and more diverse. There are also so many more food areas which has help keep the chaos at bay when you need to get some food and want to actually sit down to eat it.</div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoYkCPG8Niq971u0_hOVph2tjbD5V0kg7dAVaGWGA_aMNfMov-eXHO9ZcjHiLi_lIxqT-870_QLoTctbq6S_88ZLaMAz6amkaoY95nbix3iV4VSR2CnsviadYw-3dYeNO1I_87Og5at2G/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2c36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoYkCPG8Niq971u0_hOVph2tjbD5V0kg7dAVaGWGA_aMNfMov-eXHO9ZcjHiLi_lIxqT-870_QLoTctbq6S_88ZLaMAz6amkaoY95nbix3iV4VSR2CnsviadYw-3dYeNO1I_87Og5at2G/s400/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2c36.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vietnamese Sandwiches from JoJu</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li>First off, you can bring food in. This year I brought in a bagel sandwich one day, plus various snacks and fruit each day. You can even bring in a fillable water bottle with water in it! (I'm still side-eyeing you IW). Steer clear of metal bottles - I brought in a Nalgene bottle every day and it was always full. No issues!)</li>
<li>The main <a href="https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/us_open_food_village.html" target="_blank">Food Village</a> is located between Louis Armstrong Stadium and Court 17. There are about 10-12 different booths selling everything from pizza and curry to Korean rice bowls (my fave) and ice cream. This is the biggest seating area on the grounds and it can get nuts here. </li>
<li><a href="https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/arthur_ashe_stadium_food.html" target="_blank">Arthur Ashe Stadium</a> - most fans go all the way up in Ashe to their seats and there are food options all the way around the stadium concourse. The variety has increased here too. We had Vietnamese sandwiches, burgers, chicken tenders and more. The usual suspects too - pizza, sandwiches, wraps, plus snacks like pretzels, popcorn, etc.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/louis_armstrong_stadium.html" target="_blank">Louis Armstrong</a> is a good option as there are two sets of food vendors here. Go up the escalator one floor from the grounds and you'll see 3-4 vendors on your left. On the opposite side of the stadiums are another 3-4. </li>
<li><a href="https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/grandstand_food_village.html" target="_blank">Grandstand Food Village</a> - this is a hidden gem area with seating that is a new addition when the new Grandstand debuted in 2016. The food area here is maybe 4-5 vendors and there are plenty of tables. It's a nice chilled area though the food offerings aren't my personal fave - it's mostly chicken sandwiches, burgers, tacos etc. Still. </li>
<li><a href="https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/backyard_x17.html" target="_blank">Backyard x17</a> - I don't remember many vendors over here but now there are 3-4 options and some new picnic tables. I got some very overpriced dumplings here this year, and meant to try the crepes here. Again, a nice change of pace from the crowded food village. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4o25_CcmYkOgvUWiiacoykOkCwLxCqaT_TswWtHXWhX33N9xM_166HrPRSxXLb9o2OcMGopikCZKzAiela4CcRDKuLOMpKMHveQda-HorHj_VUmf3L4usV4uNlYZ9Blzonf9G0OQUhalF/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2b0c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4o25_CcmYkOgvUWiiacoykOkCwLxCqaT_TswWtHXWhX33N9xM_166HrPRSxXLb9o2OcMGopikCZKzAiela4CcRDKuLOMpKMHveQda-HorHj_VUmf3L4usV4uNlYZ9Blzonf9G0OQUhalF/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2b0c.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic area with shade at the Backyard x17</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>There are also some food options close to the South Gate entrance - I didn't try it but Wichcraft looked good and busy. The tourney calls this the <a href="https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/south_plaza.html" target="_blank">South Plaza Food</a> area.</li>
<li>Coffee: Lavazza is the coffee of the US Open, and I saw two places to buy it on the grounds (one bigger booth just past the food village and a smaller stall back toward courts 4-6) and a few vendors inside Louis Armstrong also sold it.</li>
<li>Booze: No problems here! There are endless bars, stalls and booths inside the stadiums selling beer and the famous Honey Deuce. I usually visit the Honey Deuce stands or grab a drink at the cocktail bars outside Ashe, but there are lots of more upscale (well, sit-down) <a href="https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/us_open_restaurants.html" target="_blank">restaurants </a>and bars should that be what you are after. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN0f7PSkG_O-fGPhDi-HlppNgK0IFUqgmCcm5kbg7BhuAP_utaLnA3Lmp6HO2VPvPqM7I2Hm7H-_t0gBZNGLLc86I_5nABfheIv__bbBGLB6w0YV4DtnsAJ7ctiXN1EEAPGpXsnz63CRH/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2c76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN0f7PSkG_O-fGPhDi-HlppNgK0IFUqgmCcm5kbg7BhuAP_utaLnA3Lmp6HO2VPvPqM7I2Hm7H-_t0gBZNGLLc86I_5nABfheIv__bbBGLB6w0YV4DtnsAJ7ctiXN1EEAPGpXsnz63CRH/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2c76.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seating area by the Food Village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Crowds</h3>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>The US Open crowds got quite a lot of criticism this year, especially due to the very frequent views of tennis fans walking to their courtside seats as play was mean to to be starting. It did seem to be more problematic this year, and you really can't place every bit of blame on the usher/stand control. I am not sure if the USTA pays them (I tend to ask - Miami pays their ushers, whereas other tourneys, such as Auckland, use volunteers). </li>
<li>This year, since we had accessible seats we were seated right where people entered for the 100 section. The ushers were roping off the entrances, but some people just truly don't care and do what they want, and from what I experienced the ushers tried their best. I saw many people verbally attack the ushers for not letting them in, and talked to one usher who had had enough. She said people were just so rude to her and I believe her. </li>
<li>I did stand control in 2011 at the Auckland men's and women's tourneys and people definitely got mouthy with me when I explained they were only allowed in during changeovers. Many casual tennis fans just don't understand the rules, the etiquette, etc. And they tend to not care or be in the mood so they don't like being told what to do.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZkBqpMo7ga6_GpYsD-L9m9P8V3jHg9srDoKzmUk65MOckCs_747pQz6XynfYtaoJyj6kpBW21-agnNokYSv74PxVRAN-M9COmL5q_0zGx3taGktG3HZYlU_CBDfzBPQJpUMI7UhyxrCs/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2e11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZkBqpMo7ga6_GpYsD-L9m9P8V3jHg9srDoKzmUk65MOckCs_747pQz6XynfYtaoJyj6kpBW21-agnNokYSv74PxVRAN-M9COmL5q_0zGx3taGktG3HZYlU_CBDfzBPQJpUMI7UhyxrCs/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2e11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one in a crowd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>I do think that the first 90-second changeover in a set needs to be longer than 90 seconds. So many fans need to be let in after those first three games that I think we need a bit of flexibility. </li>
<li>I think many tourneys need to put signs at the entrances explaining that they are only allowed in when the players get a 90-second break. I think it would help a lot. </li>
<li>I also think they need two people per entrance in Ashe Stadium so that they can actually help direct people to their seats. This is especially helpful for the Promenade because once you go up the stairs you can no longer see the section numbers so it can be really confusing, even if you are going to your 8th US Open like me!</li>
<li>The men's final - I have to say, the men's final was incredible but that crowd was LOUD! So many people near me were screaming (and I mean SCREAMING) out during play. I plugged my ears a few times because drunken men were incredibly annoying near me and it was really a drag. </li>
<ul>
<li>I hear people complain about tennis in that fans are told to be quiet, that in any other sport you can be as loud as you want. Well, good for those sports! Tennis doesn't need to be like any other sport, and to me a reason why people coming in and out of their seats at all times bothers me is because they make me MISS PART OF THE MATCH! It's not all about players being disturbed. I get disturbed when people are standing in front of me when the match is going on. It's annoying to have to stand up again and again during play because someone in your row frequently comes in and out. So, when I can, I will pay more money to be in sections where people are only allowed in during changeovers. It's just a better experience for me when I have paid a lot of money to be there live. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
Okay, that's enough. I hope this blog post is helpful for anyone considering a trip to the US Open. If you have additional questions or comments, leave a note here or tweet me at <a href="https://twitter.com/StephintheUS" target="_blank">@StephintheUS</a></div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2NPGAlYI_RsltKruWBKlmH7_R18-sDDJ7lA36RawMbQMv_P519nXpzOKv7pOvYblg8txw7PmRV_w0nWIxqQmQG2vHXKaR0T13MctBXf-ZRjn-2ClA8MrSX7-bAcq_liIsG5N_qz6WGn6/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2dbb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2NPGAlYI_RsltKruWBKlmH7_R18-sDDJ7lA36RawMbQMv_P519nXpzOKv7pOvYblg8txw7PmRV_w0nWIxqQmQG2vHXKaR0T13MctBXf-ZRjn-2ClA8MrSX7-bAcq_liIsG5N_qz6WGn6/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2dbb.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh yeah look Rafa won this year! #Vamos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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</div>
<br />Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-85692660049478498652019-08-27T13:20:00.000-05:002020-07-23T17:04:37.592-05:00Guest blog: Lowdown on the Miami Open<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Note: </i></b>I have asked my lovely friend </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://twitter.com/angs2014" target="_blank">@angs2014</a> for permission to share her wonderful blog post on the 'new' Miami Open which changed from its longtime home in Key Biscayne to the Hard Rock Stadium in 2019. Here's Ange's great summary of her tourney experience there this year which I know will be useful for anyone considering attending. Thanks Ange!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">LOWDOWN ON MIAMI OPEN</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before I get into everything, let me introduce myself a bit. My name is Angie Saint-Yl and this is my fifth consecutive year going to the Miami Open. I went for the first time in 2011 for one session (Night). Then went for the second time in 2015 for a full day. And it’s been the case for the last four years that I have gone opening weekend and go for what I deem “bonus” days depending on how the OOP shakes out. This post is in reaction to all the news and such I have heard from journalists harping on a lot of negatives and being very vague about what the tournament actually offers. Now I’m not saying I won’t talk about the negatives (there are a lot of things that need to improve for next year no doubt) but I’m also here to give insights about the host of great things the tournament brought and how this really can be a great event for years to come.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FIRST THINGS FIRST:</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">PARKING</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Although it is a big improvement (compared to having to take a shuttle down to the site in Crandon) to have all parking on-site and within walking distance of the entrance gates, it is a major pain to have parking be so expensive.</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The parking prices are as follows:</span></span></div>
<ul><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">$40 on the day</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">$30 if you buy online </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">$30 if you have a SunPass</span></li>
</span></ul>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The tournament was really bad about being explicit to people about the discounted price of the parking tickets and it took them forever to put a link for the parking tickets on their site. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My recommendation:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> When they start releasing information about ticket sales and all, look for any information about the prices for parking tickets or inquire about it with an agent.</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is Sunpass you may ask? SunPass is a system used by the state of Florida for the collection of tolls you go through on many a highway here. For any Hard Rock event, it is the case that you can get $10 off your parking pass if you have a SunPass transponder. You can buy SunPass transponders at almost any store. The SunPass mini is about $5 + tax (can only be used in one car) and the big transponder (which can be transferred among multiple cars) is $20-$25 + tax. If you are going to be driving down to SoFlo from wherever you are, it would be worth your while to get a SunPass for your travels around (if you want to go down to Miami, up to the Palm Beaches, etc. when not at the tennis) and also when you leave Florida (the alternative to getting your toll collected is toll-by-plate and that will cost you a lot more than if you just loaded money on a SunPass)</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s best if you can get to the site within the first hour or so of parking access being granted. The traffic wasn’t too crazy, it was easy for me to park, and I was able to chill and eat my breakfast before proceeding into the grounds. When I went the second Monday and Wednesday around 2ish, it was more hectic and I had to drive around for a bit before I got a spot.</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In terms of the parking personnel, I really do hope they either train the personnel better or get a new group next year. The people they tasked with managing the parking lot seemed to be novices to put it mildly. There was a lot of talking going on between the workers instead of stopping traffic and letting people turn into the parking lot when I went this second Wednesday, the workers were not the best with directing me where to go and where to park, and getting out Wednesday night was pretty nightmarish. </span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Moreover, there are various lot colors allocated for the parking area. The general admission lot is designated as the ORANGE LOT. When you go on Ticketmaster to buy a parking pass, this is the color lot that will come up for you. This is the cheapest lot at $30. Then there is the BLUE LOT which costs a bit more money (don’t know the exact price) but it’s really not that special. The ORANGE and BLUE lots are right next to each other and you are parking in the grass for both so. If you want to be in an actual paved lot with a designated spot, the BLACK lot is for you but it requires you to shell out even more money. I saw in a recent article that the tournament set the prices as they did because that’s what it normally is for Hard Rock events. Most of the events that happen at Hard Rock stadium are one day events. The Miami Open is a two-week event and you can’t compare apples with oranges. I really do hope they bring down the prices for parking next year because it’s ridiculous when you factor in tickets, food, any merch you want to buy, and wanting to go to the event multiple days.</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 551px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 414px;"><img height="640" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/I6-kYT2pipqnTE_BHocps5wVwtslNfK2WjsUKEOqBLEbph83G9ykz9Fy-CEoqY4qnCz5g1sjfifcwwU2BQyZA2iDARUh52ptl6VnqOdFnNEkozwscvO3UGkP58h3WSemQtPN-uQ6" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="480" /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e6f841da-7fff-32f3-0e69-53de7fb076c8" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Views from my BLUE parking spot area </span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TICKETING</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to get the most bang for your buck, I always recommend to do a mini Opening Weekend Package. The package I specifically opt for is the Opening Weekend Flex Four. With this package, you are allowed to pick any four sessions of the six offered up for the Opening Weekend (Friday-Sunday). Days I have gone with mostly: Friday (Day), Saturday (Day and Night), and Sunday (Day). All the big name players will most likely be scheduled to play during the weekend so your chances of seeing a top fave of yours is high. Additionally, there is so much on tap from both tours (opening weekend is the second round action for the men, third round action for the ladies) so it really is a fabulous value. It usually goes for around $200 some and if you decide you don’t want to go one of the days (usually Sunday is the most lax schedule day of the opening weekend), you can always resell your ticket.</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And something that really came to forefront this year and not so much in Key Biscayne: GROUNDS PASSES</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My first day at the Miami Open this year was the first Friday on a grounds pass. Such bang for my buck. Because of the rains that had hit earlier in the week, the scheduled matches on the outside courts were LIT and there were so many people you could watch practice as well. The grounds passes vary in price (I believe the reached their peak of about 60ish dollars or so that first Friday and Saturday) but it really is worth it. I went on Stadium mostly to see Roger but really enjoyed being at one of the various outside courts. Especially when you are on Cts. 1-8, it gets to be so intimate and can really allow for some spectacular atmospheres. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My recommendations: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you want to do a la carte tickets (for mid-part of the first week or Monday-Wednesday of the second week), do a grounds pass. If you have a big time favorite (i.e. Rog, Rafa, Serena, Juan Martin, etc.) and you see their name released for whatever day on Stadium, buy those stadium tickets early because the prices for tickets in Miami can fluctuate depending on the player.</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 726px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 545px;"><img height="726" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/75ALsV9cWCt_mtwBwGsv366ApvvMVACLj_MnMv2wiMMNrr2Xp3QfNjDGmNe0obakbEsAkq3NFu3-MywQ7COCEX_hunvVfAK5ZQzV7hvaCe_dPMQrmacpcxi5tj9vxNjgHTWI8sRG" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="545" /></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-592c134e-7fff-a13d-fe99-0ac34eb04646"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From Roger’s practice that First Friday. Had never seen him practice at Miami until this year. The increase in the number of practice courts at the new venue has been a big plus for players and fans alike</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FURTHER INFORMATION IN TERMS OF PRICE FLUCTUATIONS AND SUCH</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prices can go up quite substantially depending on the player</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">When it was announced that Rog was going to play day session on March 23rd, the lowest resale price for a day session ticket was around $120 + fees. And the standard ticket selling price (from the tournament) was $180 + fees. And mind you, these were seats in the 300s section.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you can get a resale ticket, that’s a better deal than getting a standard ticket because the fees are going to be less. Instead of the $18 or so fee that will be tacked on with the standard ticket, the fee for resales are $5 or so</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is also possible to avoid fees all together and buy at the box office on site but I did see long queues for it so go for it if you have a good amount of patience (or get to the campus early)</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ACCOMODATIONS AND TRANSPORT</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is an area designated for Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.) on the grounds. HOWEVER, I would highly recommend renting a car and driving for however long you are here for. It’s a pain in the ass having to wait for a car to come pick you up if you are planning on going to tournament multiple days and your tab will really start getting expensive if you want to venture down to Miami Beach, the Palm Beaches, etc. It is also the case (from what I read) that the tournament does not readily provide shuttle buses anymore from their partner hotels to the site being that everybody is able to park on site now. So when you are getting things ready with your accoms and all, definitely budget for a car.</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Speaking of accomodations, I would also Highly Recommend staying in the Miramar/Pembroke Pines areas if you can. It is really to get to the tournament from either of these areas (no need to get on the highway and deal with a bunch of crazies) and you can find a lot of reasonably priced Airbnbs and hotel rooms. If you want to venture out some, places like Hollywood or Fort Lauderdale aren’t too shabby either. If you’re really wanting to stay in Miami, you’ll want to book your place early because the reasonable stuff sells very quickly and prices for Airbnbs/hotels get very expensive. Also, the traffic coming up and back down from the tournament can get very crazy as well so be prepared.</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ENTERING THE GROUNDS</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is the case that there is a clear bag policy in effect for entrance in the grounds. Below is the bag I got (I wanted something that would be functional on the whole not just for this tournament) but you can find a whole host of clear bags online. If you’re not going to generally bring a lot of stuff with you on the grounds, you can also get some clear baggies from the security detail/staff onsite (not sure if they charge you [if any at all]) so I just brought my own bag. And the security check wasn’t too invasive. I did put a few small snacks in my phone camera lens bag and you are allowed to one bottle (up to a liter) of water in so that’s something at least ;P</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-63a6a358-7fff-d1d4-b5f6-e4cc8c8639bb" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="color: #4a86e8; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once you go through the security line, you then self-scan yourself at one of the ticket reader setups. You are able to scan either mobile or physical tickets. After scanning, you walk around the corner and then you will officially be in the tennis campus. </span></span><br />
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<b>VARIOUS VIEWS ON THE GROUND</b></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 719px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 540px;"><img height="719" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/qxNMJ9DOT4lFEyKp4Ld4GWu4XTv8gt5kTkQtuu_o5Q8EPxiGv0cUQDQHqPO9o-b3JKqyQxU4_-IWvZPOud8eYIm8-NSYcHKiBDOrPEEXvZlltnwa9ugta7gmK807SBlJl2CxYQZr" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="540" /></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-799bf09f-7fff-b602-b535-b28927e1b199" style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 30pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There were really a whole host of Instagram worthy spots around the grounds. This picture of me was taken near one of the biggest food and drink setups on site called Kiki On the River. As you will see in the subsequent pictures, the tournament really made a concerted effort to create a wonderfully chill and tropical environment that was a lot better than Key Biscayne IMHO</span></span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This was one of the many food and drink set ups in the area they called the West Lawn. Bluestone Lane is an Australian inspired coffee shop and cafe. They are supposed to be opening a location in the Wynwood area in the near future and their setup at the Miami Open was the first SoFlo outing. They had a variety of coffee, teas, sparkling drinks, alcoholic beverages, and food on tap. The prices ranged from $4 (for vegemite toast) to $14-$15 give or take (for the alcoholic beverages) I’ll show more of the food later on.</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And the next smattering of pictures are showcasing more of that West Lawn area. I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED being in that area. So many setups there, lots of couches, tables, and bean bags (!!!!) you could hang with your party people at, and just overall good vibes out in that area.</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 357px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 606px;"><img height="357" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DdKYzcn-ONhsp3YsjftuB6Kqq3XSFtMtyglGUiwHhNqohd2EsQBtfyVpDoONDNiSckL6nayAJ1_-mXeyy6V9SzGsI845nxmR-kj507NYY5HsrHH8oYEV42D5xDWJ45_WTdNcH_Fn" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="606" /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-6ce0885c-7fff-656e-6ae5-fa7c39149671" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The next few pictures coming up highlight courtyard type areas. Compared to the Key Biscayne site, there is a ton more space available at Hard Rock Stadium. Another nice and much needed aspect of the new venue: MUCH IMPROVED BATHROOMS (Will not miss those summer camp bathroom areas and trailer porta-potty setups they had at Crandon D:)</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 744px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 558px;"><img height="744" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/sSFjjqifGg4XOrzxhL-tWufFzb8Kmfv1MN_hZeliChhinJzZZK_qHU7V2IbEk46u0Km6pgbM4xuK9CCBIONidv8ZOvy5sGY2IQGgWsptP8g_N9sasjccsAQdRKU92Q4PcX7R0j4w" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="558" /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Was able to catch the last point of Serena’s match on the big screen TV in the main courtyard area</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">PRACTICE COURTS</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m not really much of a practice court titan when I go to tournaments. I’m more for looking through the OOP and heading to the first match court that peaks my interest the most when I get on site. For the first time in all my years of going to the Miami Open, I carved out a good chunk of time to watch what was going on at the practice courts. As I mentioned previously, I had never seen a live Roger practice session in Miami because he wouldn’t readily practice on site in Crandon Park besides the light hits he would have on Stadium when he would arrive here. Bar a couple days or so (because of rain and to give his body an extra bit of rest), he was on the practice schedule almost every day. And that was the case with a good amount of other players as well. The amount of practice courts available on the Hard Rock campus is double the amount of what was present at Crandon park. And the thing I love most: All the practice courts are concentrated in one general area. I don’t have to run 10 corners to watch a player practice anymore. I can see a whole smattering of players in front of me and can view others practicing (or playing matches) from the top of the stands at the practice courts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Denis Bb and Bops</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sloane</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Views from one row of the practice court area</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One pet peeve of mine with the practice area: You see that empty, black paved part in between the courts in this picture? Only media can occupy that area. Fans are not allowed to be there. That’s another thing I hope that changes for next year because if you are not able to get a seat in the stands (due to a big name player practicing on one of those courts, you either have to deal with being squished on the steps of whatever court you are trying to watch said player, stand in an open platform type area and try to get of glimpse of the action, or try to watch what you can of them through the fences located under the bleachers.</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the Denis/Bops picture: I was squished on the stairs for a good while and had to contour my body some to see the practice sesh and get some snaps.</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the purple shirt/teal short Rog picture: I was standing in the open platform area. Still had to improvise my height some to get pictures but was finally able to get myself to the front of the area and snap better pictures</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the second Rog, Petra, and Sloane snaps, I was seated in the top row of Ct. 26</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-c0714eed-7fff-110b-eb72-b2c3563a2604"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Said open platform area</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 743px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 558px;"><img height="743" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fD3qi3raolxj_DlC-XTFUFkBG0eP_gYVNASCi1myeNveD1JpKV2sVGveHRnkxpfZjrLV6umnat4vzg9D3gwZJOHaqZOVWiBPUZF2euIutQI9Gqa1_kVuXm3EEMYCjGP7ihvk1EXf" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="558" /></span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-5e77dd68-7fff-47b3-6163-0eab8713e425"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Always good to have friends with you especially when waiting for a certain 37-year-old Dweeb ;P :*</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ACTUAL MATCHES</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I went for a total of five days and I saw great matches all five days.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s a good day anytime I see Roger but the draw of both sides really did offer up a lot of interesting matchups. As far as quantity of good shit happening, I would have to say Friday was the best day but finals Sunday was probably my most favorite day of the tournament because Rog ended up being the victor <3 Going to show a smattering of pictures I took at the various matches I saw below.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kenin vs Bibi Fave on Ct 2</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">King Flexxxxxx against Marton on Ct 8</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marton (or Marti as the Hungarian lady next to me called him) against Flexxxx on Ct 8</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sloane vs Jabeur on Grandstand</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dom vs. Hubi on Grandstand</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Simona serving it up against Taylor Townsend on Ct 1</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taylor Townsend ripping a forehand against Simona on Ct 1</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Denis Bb and Bops talking strategy in their dubs match against Sitak/Krajicek on Ct 2</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Su-Wei serving it up en route to a 3-set win over Naomi on Stadium</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That awkward bit of sun did make for pretty pictures yet :PPP. Rog against Radu on Stadium</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Denis Bb vs Rublev on Grandstand</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bob Bryan serving to Nicolas Jarry in the super breaker of Butch Buchholz Court</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rog looking cool and relaxed as you’d like on Finals Sunday</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SOME WORDS ABOUT BEING ON STADIUM</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was the case that I mostly went on Stadium for Rog’s matches. The view from my seat was good (was in section 347, Row 2) but I much prefer to be watching matches on the outside courts. I thought Rog was losing it some when he said it but it really is the case that you can hear a bit of a buzz around the stadium when sitting in the temporary setup. Because the temporary part isn’t fully enclosed, the amount of people walking by (whether it is to come in and find their seats, exiting to the grounds, etc.) creates a residual type noise. The other bad thing about the temporary setup not being fully enclosed is the fact that it creates a lot of obstructed view seats in the lower sections. Who wants to sit somewhere that is close to the court yet has an obstructed view? Nobody. And that camera angles continually showing those empty seats isn’t the best publicity for the tournament either. I hope either next year or in the coming years, they can develop a way to enclose the temporary structure more for better optics and to create even more of an intimate and great experience for the fans.</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Recommendations for seating:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are going to sit in the 300s section, try to sit in sections 345-347 and get a seat within the first 10 rows of the sections. When you start going beyond the 10th row or so, the court does start to feel quite far away.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are going to sit in the 200s sections, try to sit in sections 201-202 or 215-216. Great views and you are pretty much going to be in the shade. There were quite a few days where the FL sun was brutal so to be shielded from the sun’s wrath while watching your favorite is a blessing!</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vee vs. Simona on Stadium. View from Section 215</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SOME WORDS ABOUT THE OUTSIDE COURTS</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ct 1 and Ct 2: Both of these courts are situated close to the highway. I heard some cars racing by while watching Bibi Fave during Day Session of Friday so I would just be aware that there could be an extra bit of noise from the highway at peak driving hours</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ct 8: There are a bunch of bar and food setups up around the grounds and there happens to be a Stella Artois beer garden setup near Ct 8. Found it amazing John Millman nor Federico Delbonis didn’t complain about the music but Marton Fucsovics did complain to the umpire about the music blaring from the speakers at said setup. And it really was blasting. I know the tournament wants to keep fans and patrons alike entertained but they also have to remember that these players have to be able to focus well too. After that day, they did keep the music to a reasonable level the other days when I was there so they learned quick ;D</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An overall fact about the outside match courts: There was basically a queue to get in every where. Grandstand and Butch Buchholz weren’t too bad because those are still sizable stadiums. Courts 1-8 though are smaller and not everyone can be put on the bigger courts so be prepared to queue at some point.</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Example: I had to wait 30 minutes or so to watch the Flexxxxx/Marton match on Ct 8. Was worth it in the end because it was a greatly contested match and Marton was cracking me up. But the length of that wait (((((((:</span></li>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">EATS TIME!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">**The prices reflected for all the food and drink on site have taxes included in the price**</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I have alluded to some throughout, there are an increased amount of food and drink setups at the new venue compared to the venue at Key Biscayne. There isn’t a whole lot of great places to eat the Miami Gardens area so the tournament made a concerted effort to bring some of the best of Miami to the venue at Hard Rock Stadium. They had Mexican, Peruvian, Italian, Mediterranean/Greek, Argentinian, American, French, etc. The cheapest thing I bought on site that was good and nicely filling was a slice of pepperoni pizza from one of the food trucks. A slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza from said food truck was $6.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d0cc96fa-7fff-bf07-ec44-4125a33fbc35" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best cheap dish that I found that was very filling: A Chicken Chalupa platter from one of the Mexican food trucks. $13 for two chalupas with your choice of meat, toppings, and chips.</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 508px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 380px;"><img height="508" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/2Dbayg1UF2nEqqTqK_CopdXLKfifbmNWwnf4n149fn4MvQfkHoZx5UM4_Li9BcOho9ODLWSZnxYWLSGEz-dCpZlO6iavcF_O1icXzZdPXp1_HGsGRac75pbjFb6iRJ8nrzTEkJIj" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="380" /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-401ed681-7fff-e4eb-32de-328f44cd3998" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Place I went to most: Bourbon Steak. The food here was a bit pricer ($16 for a steak Caesar salad and $14 for a steak sandwich) but it was good quality steak served. Flavor was great, good tenderness, and that Caesar dressing was heavenly. I’m not a super Caesar dressing girl but I would totally buy a bottle of their Caesar if I could!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 604px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 452px;"><img height="604" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/rnOnQUmEs7tC5JokCD5OEOLJ077UCELQU-kPNeH9puuxODl6ns4yUtGHNLD_Q3E9kZj8LVyOQhb2iZBgxTjO_qTmsgvP3acnUWJp0w5zMt5kgAAWpHBr4kDV9Huw8KoPLngbEdqS" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="452" /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c385323b-7fff-0e35-300c-5d4feec774f5" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pro tip: My friend Tracy got the Caesar Salad in the evening around 7ish or so and they gave her a lot more steak so keep that the stands may be more generous later in the day!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 670px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 503px;"><img height="670" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3IZGVATh7_5Y78kn6P5lHl0ngxHuGAPSCACy5vHM4oVEaAA_2gfe73cpnjvG2kQHZuikbOPjgyhxE_RkqgyrSDLskeLi4PZtcohH4_fUmM44UaN6uh4N_icOgh673p7itz_HZT6A" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="503" /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2897105e-7fff-380d-5c29-e2fda2724208" style="text-align: start; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: #a61c00; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One instance where I was happy the sky opened up. I had a fair amount of time to eat this sandwich before the Rog/Daniil match started</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 588px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 440px;"><img height="588" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/r-8I7BAoMYXQsX32y-cek8np2gWV1t46VO8-AeU7iY7jBdhVrR-bDdWIsJza11EegiwIKFZLEYSkUUT-mExvpN0_vIzGS0SebScy75DUmpTATpx-2iCR5xTJ1XNdQ_IEFcysh25D" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="440" /></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-583b79d2-7fff-6d50-45b0-d81fd1034158"><span style="color: #a61c00; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Didn’t get a picture of them but I can confirm that the fries and falafel from Bourbon Steak are yummy as well</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 545px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 498px;"><img height="545" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yligGOiN31jycOJXtma7XyCpNGCd5VcdcK56bIiFydFJpFpysi8wlyzEJs1lL4wrk7iqydu3zuYLT1UfHY4plkIqpihuaTMVU2_B4Sq1z6wrSW55F3OqGA4COKYuAkgNwxa8sUQW" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="498" /></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3d426f1c-7fff-8e54-5d56-cba5435d85b3"><span style="color: #85200c; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bluestone Lane at night on the first Saturday</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I could have opted for one of their coffee martinis or other libations to celebrate Rog’s hard fought win against Albot. Ended up not doing that though so I would feel a little less wrecked the next morning XP Was on-site until 1:40 AM Sunday morning ((((((:</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 646px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 486px;"><img height="646" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_V1UGc5Euh8_Hmz9pRJDZ4OgIfgq2tIucBEzNlphgty3l1_WRPndtK2-YcusDBJ5ak0Muo8L6RFRPrjVj6wsyGTqToCKTJqQfBv5JySEyEa01RBynBPHgGToCVQZjLSettDwAJR6" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="486" /></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-bb9e812a-7fff-c327-7019-504dceea8611"><span style="color: #85200c; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I actually preferred the cappuccino over the flat white from Bluestone but everyone's a little different :P</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TWO THINGS YOU MUST TRY FROM BLUESTONE THOUGH</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">AVO TOAST (Believe it was $11 or so but they don’t skimp on the smash avo and the bread is DELISH)</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 415px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 443px;"><img height="576" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/jct0UTFAuKMNx-BfM2Iwo_cojsp4eLyv1zR73cdOhxVqnd6q2sQ5I0S7U-_Bk3IQEtk5VciWFVTmbA4bQP-_t2wB07w5Jy21CId-sDUEGWsT45B_-92UXCRjfFUeOF23xr6cdX6E" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: -161px;" width="433.48926553672317" /></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-56729cda-7fff-e306-0696-21d40af0d7b1"><span style="color: #85200c; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is one half of the toast mind you!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">S/O to my girl Allison for bringing this to the practice courts for me! <3333</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">THE VEGEMITE TOAST ($4)</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 428px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 658px;"><img height="896.9672544080604" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/8zwzi41xsC27jsR-VtGohI6MZ9If-VioLSjQp4s9AnFbd-qY-RXMIwbGL8i3Vgh_-KbyTdB0hnBq9o4A_69yeKq4QD8vy6aP4dz69TV68gSWXvoap3XMRH2Rguvvn7YyxlbpiKJa" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: -171.41561712846348px;" width="672" /></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-8615f586-7fff-5405-6a7c-a95aa7faed02"><span style="color: #85200c; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As someone who was really apprehensive about eating Vegemite, I’m here to tell you it’s worth trying! Good salty, savory bite to it! And to have it on that wonderful bread once more *two thumbs up*</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">AND</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Great job to the tournament on the signature drink this year: </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">THE MO SMASH ($10)</span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I think I had the drink four times over the course of my time at the tournament. Easy to drink, very refreshing, and such a beautiful color as well. Being that it was the signature drink of the tournament, you could get yourself one at the vast majority of bar setups on site</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 372px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 280px;"><img height="372" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/iGbM0IFLh57fw5vMh-C1Ip4WXsmjcHUxTMfHafEYFzGqIF6aUvjhgAeWUyROL8KSoP9mDLvhwBcbM3sAPKIL8bAdNXTelDkLRMVilRMdfmfb_A0Ak-wNQUANvzSMlnUC_cq2Z-ve" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="280" /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9dfa39c8-7fff-7677-399f-c095c4ba4d90" style="font-weight: normal; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">AND THAT’S ALL FOLKS!</span></span></div>
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Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-81529804185710687832019-07-21T12:42:00.002-05:002023-01-26T16:53:30.159-06:00Tips for attending Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf05JnF1MT4U3ydVGVOLECEXsc1xkAtz6F0uqciaql9D_8IGtH1zY0RrJ1jrFgcybSMRLrzF2p5-BzqKx9FEqN2cotPuLu40pUPXsCdCGQlBErrYRmuYT50h2HR-xe89ueLMQq9fH29a2d/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1eab.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf05JnF1MT4U3ydVGVOLECEXsc1xkAtz6F0uqciaql9D_8IGtH1zY0RrJ1jrFgcybSMRLrzF2p5-BzqKx9FEqN2cotPuLu40pUPXsCdCGQlBErrYRmuYT50h2HR-xe89ueLMQq9fH29a2d/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1eab.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Rome has long been my #1 tennis bucket list item. I hadn't been able to attend the past few years due to work commitments, so I jumped at the chance to finally attend the women's and men's joint event in Rome after a job change, and thankfully my tennis-loving mom was keen to come along.<br />
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As I started to prep for this trip, I struggled to find much information about the tournament, so thankfully Tennis Twitter was there to help. Here's info for anyone looking to attend the International BNL d'Italia Rome. I've tackled the following topics, which were of most interest to me, but shoot me a comment if you have other questions.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Tickets</li>
<ul>
<li>Accessible seating</li>
<li>Ticket upgrades</li>
</ul>
<li>Bag Policy</li>
<li>Food and drinks</li>
<li>Getting there and around</li>
<li>Rome</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>TICKETS</b></h2>
I started looking at tickets in early April, and found the costs a bit pricey for stadium seats. I hesitated to purchase too many tickets too soon as I was balancing being a first-time visitor to Rome with attending the tennis. And at this stage, I wasn't sure which of my faves were going to show up in Rome. I initially bought two grounds passes for the opening Saturday and Monday. I then wanted to get stadium seats for two days - Wednesday and Thursday - and went about requesting accessible seats due to my mom's leg issues (see more below).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnfjVYClSWp5zXrPW9RIBbDZQhyphenhyphengkzozQxPw165UgM4nrYj9w-Kuf8cJq422RioY4Oxfu423RFRWkLUQGOgxbtJEHkgdn-615FmcupmMoRhHbhvb5YLJ5foOZx_ZGiywSLqCbCA-58NIU/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1f24.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnfjVYClSWp5zXrPW9RIBbDZQhyphenhyphengkzozQxPw165UgM4nrYj9w-Kuf8cJq422RioY4Oxfu423RFRWkLUQGOgxbtJEHkgdn-615FmcupmMoRhHbhvb5YLJ5foOZx_ZGiywSLqCbCA-58NIU/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1f24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pietrangeli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You can buy reserved seats in both the Stadium and Grandstand, but there is also a general admission area in Grandstand. To find it, head to the very back of the Grandstand. It's great to have this option!<br />
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Be warned - I had trouble using the Rome tourney site to buy tickets - the site blocked my credit card a few times before I was able to pay (my credit card company told me the transaction was not blocked on their end).<br />
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There are two sites for ticket purchase, the <a href="https://ticketing.internazionalibnlditalia.com/" target="_blank">official tourney site</a> and <a href="https://www.ticketone.it/biglietti.html?affiliate=ITT&doc=artistPages%2Ftickets&fun=artist&action=tickets&erid=2239544" target="_blank">Ticketone.IT</a>. Tickets go on sale quite early, July, according to the website.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNt3vPtvZOT5wfJ979PnII2BzpTlpqLh-e0FGhI-nzGa23xN9r44Hp_1MGDDeVTqMrdIAj7C50TOLbOwv5tHIH0LbYT-nQYsruKpnGURA-pmsa01j_RneKWCPxxYSYf1VT1WMkjB8cL_3R/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_209a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNt3vPtvZOT5wfJ979PnII2BzpTlpqLh-e0FGhI-nzGa23xN9r44Hp_1MGDDeVTqMrdIAj7C50TOLbOwv5tHIH0LbYT-nQYsruKpnGURA-pmsa01j_RneKWCPxxYSYf1VT1WMkjB8cL_3R/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_209a.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The general admission section of Grandstand is a great option on a grounds pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h3>
<b>Accessible seating </b></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<ul>
<li>In order to actually buy accessible seats, I learned I had to submit a Certificate of Disability. Sure, what's that? I have learned some countries have this, but the US is not one of them. Instead, I had my mom's doctor write a letter about her needs and attached that to my profile on the tourney website (as per the instructions). The request was rejected, and I was asked to provide the certificate. So I emailed the tourney team and went back and forth explaining that this certificate did not exist where I lived. I then submitted a picture of my mom's permanent handicap placard and hoped for the best. Finally, we were approved to buy accessible seats. </li>
<li>I can't understand how the tournament doesn't realize this certificate is not universal? It took a bit of extra time and stress to finally get approved, but my perseverance paid off. I told mom all my efforts were worth it if it meant making her life easier at the tourney, and avoiding lots of extra steps. </li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFxrBxZbtw-xWlpgNU3hvlqhu3L21862jUyy0uSFG_vHHBXejHKgfu2QDm1iauFyF19mtKFOXZcCgjUS4c-oHAoCdt3U4VKsTlNBPp-T9zlmVwSShei0PCo25HZCZAU-PRoc0ABr5WW2E/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_22f4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFxrBxZbtw-xWlpgNU3hvlqhu3L21862jUyy0uSFG_vHHBXejHKgfu2QDm1iauFyF19mtKFOXZcCgjUS4c-oHAoCdt3U4VKsTlNBPp-T9zlmVwSShei0PCo25HZCZAU-PRoc0ABr5WW2E/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_22f4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the accessible seating section of Grandstand (hi Rafa!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Once approved, a whole new section opened up on the ticket site. Unfortunately for us, by the time I got approved most accessible tickets were sold out. So, I was only able to get stadium tickets for Wednesday (when I figured Rafa would play his first match) and we got Grandstand tickets for Thursday as all other stadium sessions were sold out (both day and night) for the rest of the tournament. Everything else in the stadium was sold out for the final four days so I suggest starting your plans earlier than we did! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>You don't actually get the option to have tickets mailed to you for accessible seats, so we had to pick them up on the day of each session. You can't pick up all your tickets at once, so you need to go to the South Gate area in a small building to pick up the ticket. It just added an extra step each day, but we managed. </li>
<li>Due to rain we did not get to use our Wednesday accessible seats in the stadium so I never experienced that, but in Grandstand our seats were basically right on the court! The rain had shifted Rafa's match to Grandstand so we loved being so close (especially after the whitewash of play for the full Wednesday schedule).</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJ5Yp-Q4Ak0UKA1YqX14H4FY7JZ3PKKkuJmdwtyYcpEkEcRANi7XJjh1KyoJUGpOb7vmze9VhDKLj3qErXOW2XD3g_kIkL8MmsBNMBtdTThHzJIwidyW4OPYnGWmCtXKn0Rx5m4K0FoW6/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1ee8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJ5Yp-Q4Ak0UKA1YqX14H4FY7JZ3PKKkuJmdwtyYcpEkEcRANi7XJjh1KyoJUGpOb7vmze9VhDKLj3qErXOW2XD3g_kIkL8MmsBNMBtdTThHzJIwidyW4OPYnGWmCtXKn0Rx5m4K0FoW6/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1ee8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
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<ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</ul>
<h3>
<b>Ticket upgrades</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>A tip - you can upgrade your ticket! This is a great option since there are so many unknowns in tennis in terms of which players will play when and on which court. </li>
<li>There are several ticket upgrade stands located near both the stadium and grandstand. The lines can be long, but we managed to upgrade our Monday stadium ticket once Serena had been added to the order of play that day from the grounds passes I bought. I think this is a great option since if you buy ahead of time you may not be happy with the order of play once that day arrives.</li>
<li>We were not able to upgrade our grounds pass to accessible seats, so we had to be higher up in the stadium which wasn't great. It was a wet May in Rome, and the stands were covered in water and mud. People slipped near us, so it was a bit dangerous up there and not a sunny day so we had to hold on to our bags the whole time since the area by our feet never dried.</li>
<li>Be warned - on the first Monday, we headed to the ticket upgrade office by the main entrance (near Grandstand) and it wasn't even remotely ready to be open. I found staff and was told to go to another upgrade station closer to the Stadium. We walked over to it, and it wasn't open yet either. So, good luck! You can also pick up daily schedules and programs at the Ticket Upgrade booths if they are open! (I am smiling now but this was all dumb). I was not the only person trying to upgrade and they were just not ready, but it really is a great option so I appreciated being able to do this. </li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_65747bbDOnUQ3ajra4kk6AG_7e0ik0DSaNReSKmblZSO5MUR2rGD-0Q7gKegvOGoIXf6HKk37eA0PrOcItvPeZMMPVbB2zoKqJw8fdhCc5GgNo1rPdKTJ6q1e5ZPQbrUR8MR1KruF9f/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1f10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_65747bbDOnUQ3ajra4kk6AG_7e0ik0DSaNReSKmblZSO5MUR2rGD-0Q7gKegvOGoIXf6HKk37eA0PrOcItvPeZMMPVbB2zoKqJw8fdhCc5GgNo1rPdKTJ6q1e5ZPQbrUR8MR1KruF9f/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1f10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Souvenir options</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bag Policy</b></h2>
The Rome tourney site posted a <a href="https://www.internazionalibnlditalia.com/en/general-condition/" target="_blank">specific bag policy</a> but in reality it did not exist. I chose to be obedient on day one and brought in the very small bag which is not to exceed 25 cm x 25 cm x 25 cm. It was a struggle to find one that small, so it was not amusing to get into the grounds and see people literally pulling suitcases around. So, don't worry about bag size. For our remaining three days I brought in my normal travel bag, and had a second small carry bag to bring in an umbrella, our snacks and jacket (it was the coldest weather in May in Rome in like 40 years. Brr!)<br />
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As the baggage check wasn't much, I brought in snacks too - fruit, crackers, etc. I also brought in our own sandwiches at least twice since I hadn't had any issues bringing in food.<br />
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Be warned - they seem to have something against metal bottles in Rome. Below is a photo I took of the boxes sitting by the security gates one day. I understand we're not allowed to bring in soft drinks, etc, but I was appalled at all the fillable metal bottles they took away. Disgusting! Since I've had issues with these bottles at many other tourneys, we just brought in plastic water bottles to fill up onsite.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvxFPEBKhpNZTlsgaWqX2gJtCY_xFIu4Aj0sUvXgL43Q4RDhvYzFtZNMYKxgW-bmnZTtqXTu4AWaNHVEQ4CT6QxgS4u95hAAwLmIQwAWvvVbWPTRfQQ9C1ZwNDLxHEePyR1o0vY7Ak2u-/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-07-21+at+9.34.29+AM.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="473" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvxFPEBKhpNZTlsgaWqX2gJtCY_xFIu4Aj0sUvXgL43Q4RDhvYzFtZNMYKxgW-bmnZTtqXTu4AWaNHVEQ4CT6QxgS4u95hAAwLmIQwAWvvVbWPTRfQQ9C1ZwNDLxHEePyR1o0vY7Ak2u-/s640/Screen+Shot+2019-07-21+at+9.34.29+AM.png" width="506" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metal is taboo at this tourney! Water bottles, sunscreen, deodorant - doesn't matter!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Food and drinks</b></h2>
When in Rome, you expect to be surrounded by pizza, pastries and pasta! I found 2 of the 3 at the Rome tourney (cant't recall seeing pasta?). I thought the onsite food was fine. We had pizza a few times, sandwiches, arancini and some sweet pastries during our 4 days onsite. And espresso of course!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbdikEOAXc9__uJ5ChlApR2mL8txYiToGotstfZ9pLXU_rIGXom8m63SOMaN1-znLiyGZpvz-U8I4AnJOKhiGB3EEQC6Bm-ndt8GASjpMjcMttjhr4pb3yui9iWGVl-Vme8H0NYMEJBrT/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2087.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbdikEOAXc9__uJ5ChlApR2mL8txYiToGotstfZ9pLXU_rIGXom8m63SOMaN1-znLiyGZpvz-U8I4AnJOKhiGB3EEQC6Bm-ndt8GASjpMjcMttjhr4pb3yui9iWGVl-Vme8H0NYMEJBrT/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2087.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snacks available onsite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Most of the food stalls are near the Stadium and Pietrangeli, but if you're planning to camp out in Grandstand your food options are very limited. There are no food stalls near it so you have to go back toward the main entrance to buy any food.<br />
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In the stadium and grandstand, vendors sell drinks, popcorn and ice cream which is a good option but not quite enough to get you through a day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA5E4zcNnzdymUCfLrzqAGeesUaxGAw6QW4mOQnvh9kFsQUUcuc9VuD9Bw1yszuDDWUPaDzrbAfW17jb5kms_a81W0uU3QA8v0RTUSAGzui9I1Y5JPbqvzcN5aCenNqcWxpq_jTzjroyR/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1f4a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA5E4zcNnzdymUCfLrzqAGeesUaxGAw6QW4mOQnvh9kFsQUUcuc9VuD9Bw1yszuDDWUPaDzrbAfW17jb5kms_a81W0uU3QA8v0RTUSAGzui9I1Y5JPbqvzcN5aCenNqcWxpq_jTzjroyR/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1f4a.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good luck finding this water fountain on the grounds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There was also no water fountains near Grandstand so that wasn't great either. I'd suggest bringing in some drinks and find water foundations behind Pietrangeli to fill them up (thanks Tennis Twitter family for letting me know where to fill my water bottles - in 100 years I would not have found it without their help.)<br />
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<h2>
Getting there and around</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitu6VsAtR7we-_xpzYg9q_Tm-iVblEJgJAVRYFlwgTa8-cf84oWXKuFEKZMKRptnyf5Twn45JY5F9n_fCSP-OYFGG-gGXbAbVyetT-8Iw3CbIwaInVhl0QSzKZmW78ondvxyy_RGUoalyK/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1f60.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitu6VsAtR7we-_xpzYg9q_Tm-iVblEJgJAVRYFlwgTa8-cf84oWXKuFEKZMKRptnyf5Twn45JY5F9n_fCSP-OYFGG-gGXbAbVyetT-8Iw3CbIwaInVhl0QSzKZmW78ondvxyy_RGUoalyK/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1f60.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View toward the Stadium, with Pietrangeli on the right</td></tr>
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Rome reminded me a bit of Roland Garros - there was only one main path on the grounds which made life difficult. There are two entrances - on the south side (if you're walking in it's straight ahead as you walk over the bridge) and along the east side (which takes you in by the Grandstand and main food options and retail shops).<br />
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In terms of transportation to the site, we mostly got a taxi, and we walked a few times. I booked us an airbnb in Flaminio so we would be very close to the venue and I'm so glad we did.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0JOuWTlZu-9GO_f398V-ToYhbUZweNja0lwpC0hSfFXe5130L3SrSQX-iT-5Jots6O4EbGGttLYrtlWVW7Ffs86jOqbcfZKVyuEXcvij-SgBrhS1ZQwCt6UM-w3G8nm-qLTbf9zRUibs/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_213a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0JOuWTlZu-9GO_f398V-ToYhbUZweNja0lwpC0hSfFXe5130L3SrSQX-iT-5Jots6O4EbGGttLYrtlWVW7Ffs86jOqbcfZKVyuEXcvij-SgBrhS1ZQwCt6UM-w3G8nm-qLTbf9zRUibs/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_213a.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Music Bridge looking toward the South Gate of the tourney</td></tr>
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I can't speak to public transport options, but I highly recommend using the MyTaxi app (which we used exclusively during our 10 days in Rome) for pretty easy rides around Rome in general.<br />
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We walked back when it was raining and we had no chance to get a taxi. The walk was great actually, because you walk over a bridge and on the other side are plenty of cafes and pubs to either wait out bad weather, or enjoy a drink or meal.<br />
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For taxi drop offs, the east gate is the best bet. There were ticket booths at both gates but we had to pick up our accessible tickets at the south gate).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WJNQeGsYNtaxs5j1tUWLHdJQQm_Sa0QScki3UhomdP5AfuZEMtJ6NESxblXJ3WkPbO3CM4KUxye4tMx3P1cnmGFI4LCv3jvRqbQPEEvKCqvHknfsx6ZBUfhIhdkILI2_75gOCPbfWJ9P/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-07-21+at+12.38.18+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="895" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WJNQeGsYNtaxs5j1tUWLHdJQQm_Sa0QScki3UhomdP5AfuZEMtJ6NESxblXJ3WkPbO3CM4KUxye4tMx3P1cnmGFI4LCv3jvRqbQPEEvKCqvHknfsx6ZBUfhIhdkILI2_75gOCPbfWJ9P/s640/Screen+Shot+2019-07-21+at+12.38.18+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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On the map above you scan see the Foro Italico and surrounding area (Flaminio). You can see the Music Bridge on the map, and I saw many people arriving that way. The south entrance always looked a bit more crowded, so that's why I suggest going to the east gate to get dropped off. The sidewalks are pretty narrow but it is probably a 5-10 minute walk up to the east entrance which brings you nearer to Grandstand.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Rome</h2>
Rome is such a great city, and with the tourney taking place in May the city will be very busy. We found it easy to do both the tourney and the many amazing sites in the city during our 9 days in Rome. I wrote up a long post on my travel blog with tips about the city. You can view it <b><a href="https://travelsbysteph.wordpress.com/2019/06/04/italy-rome/" target="_blank">here</a></b>.<br />
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Here are a few more photos showing off the stunning Foro Italico:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaDOd86Vt1OPsGJHYTUj2amknk27Yz6_zC8RY_XdoRJSYndjS675IHzQechZMbnGvV8_4j2lraCy0sS8tHrL6cjerPeAQuTOWtrB-jCo6Zocn6Bs5SawggysDnWXilSMrW5WN2Sdny8gM/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_228d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaDOd86Vt1OPsGJHYTUj2amknk27Yz6_zC8RY_XdoRJSYndjS675IHzQechZMbnGvV8_4j2lraCy0sS8tHrL6cjerPeAQuTOWtrB-jCo6Zocn6Bs5SawggysDnWXilSMrW5WN2Sdny8gM/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_228d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View toward Grandstand</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dWiR05bH7CPVxLkLc-sDn7f5D3VqocvhPR3FEjOZBPy9ffXFp686LlpFOKs5NexVPS3vxqHwSpWGS4TRfPXRn2A0CTocD3GvTAAjHoUlicjyxHR9jCpXj8d-MMbVwHQMnghDOW9o06iP/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1ede.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dWiR05bH7CPVxLkLc-sDn7f5D3VqocvhPR3FEjOZBPy9ffXFp686LlpFOKs5NexVPS3vxqHwSpWGS4TRfPXRn2A0CTocD3GvTAAjHoUlicjyxHR9jCpXj8d-MMbVwHQMnghDOW9o06iP/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1ede.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side courts near Grandstand</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXVThDBhHDtfYmgnqFgPqjgXv8GQ9O6tevf1KE1xSeS_VCNwCGj_8hlvx61XSi9sUnY2WEwpMh4hUKbgFJ8v6DYLSn8wG3d8-WRDjfDtp_HSwUdGc3-C79jKwbMuADX6OVqn2TEUZtOxE/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1ed8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXVThDBhHDtfYmgnqFgPqjgXv8GQ9O6tevf1KE1xSeS_VCNwCGj_8hlvx61XSi9sUnY2WEwpMh4hUKbgFJ8v6DYLSn8wG3d8-WRDjfDtp_HSwUdGc3-C79jKwbMuADX6OVqn2TEUZtOxE/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1ed8.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Espresso the near the Stadium</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiA7it_Vmcew8U_G4ZbrGN98apQG9JxxwGRFtwkFFAumymWapPnRdKz-QW1-wqg64iilY7mnLDo9I2NbivVDFr2FUzpQ40HWUzt5OxKRMUxLyYqOByfbOf-YrdtxrjXsWF8KC140SYgmA/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_22a7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiA7it_Vmcew8U_G4ZbrGN98apQG9JxxwGRFtwkFFAumymWapPnRdKz-QW1-wqg64iilY7mnLDo9I2NbivVDFr2FUzpQ40HWUzt5OxKRMUxLyYqOByfbOf-YrdtxrjXsWF8KC140SYgmA/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_22a7.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge fun</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_L1s5eM4qP2JJzWYlEPATm0hjYGyn_ts4bN2LawNYxc1WfCcPVJ9MuzrPgb2bj4bdzpocy-56rav9WTCDnmJD-mg3iYA-xcfiCwW8YqSR-Xw5xOVM95Z8GZoCwSJSiF07fGZ1WtBpDtiU/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1f0b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_L1s5eM4qP2JJzWYlEPATm0hjYGyn_ts4bN2LawNYxc1WfCcPVJ9MuzrPgb2bj4bdzpocy-56rav9WTCDnmJD-mg3iYA-xcfiCwW8YqSR-Xw5xOVM95Z8GZoCwSJSiF07fGZ1WtBpDtiU/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1f0b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Pietrangeli on day 1 of quails</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUDgOm8BOGfuteuCgk6A-ztnVklumjk6BwJtXOVHI9y8L321WF-gMszvRA6kWE09CreNWR5AU_WSPnta1em4OJszAOJVwR8S9gKXGmuVwniKf5d5wFbTNnU0bdlqOo-WMjCziLXafe5FL/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_233d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUDgOm8BOGfuteuCgk6A-ztnVklumjk6BwJtXOVHI9y8L321WF-gMszvRA6kWE09CreNWR5AU_WSPnta1em4OJszAOJVwR8S9gKXGmuVwniKf5d5wFbTNnU0bdlqOo-WMjCziLXafe5FL/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_233d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packed stands </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUS85I_flU0U22R9YDg6wNnc6qbB3eppBzVktMqCAp9kVI38YeuwzAkExY2cGs6uvcs13uTOwYUty7FWqWnNpJptEcjU_b61cqLF71eXZidB5bcjXCcqAKdTQKpEQ4KG9Y7XI5RisnCvW/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_207c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUS85I_flU0U22R9YDg6wNnc6qbB3eppBzVktMqCAp9kVI38YeuwzAkExY2cGs6uvcs13uTOwYUty7FWqWnNpJptEcjU_b61cqLF71eXZidB5bcjXCcqAKdTQKpEQ4KG9Y7XI5RisnCvW/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_207c.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena practice</td></tr>
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<br />Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-46316094629555094522018-02-28T08:00:00.000-06:002018-02-28T11:02:20.503-06:00Tips for enjoying (and surviving) the BNP Paribas Open<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7X_KezhvrDoe8-Mfk2jwHgMNhosQ-CF8YA-H_-Tgrq0Zu2pSKoZQ1bBPNiO_mimAR-DaOe_H9wsGc6RpzVMahfQP0DfcFmsEMnWR40-vmqnuLFZKxNC6ES06_V-AANtNWxVhDqvPunEQW/s1600/IMG_3548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7X_KezhvrDoe8-Mfk2jwHgMNhosQ-CF8YA-H_-Tgrq0Zu2pSKoZQ1bBPNiO_mimAR-DaOe_H9wsGc6RpzVMahfQP0DfcFmsEMnWR40-vmqnuLFZKxNC6ES06_V-AANtNWxVhDqvPunEQW/s1600/IMG_3548.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of a practice court with beautiful backdrop</td></tr>
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Note: With Indian Wells around the corner, I'm sharing this post again, as it is actually one of the most read/commented on posts I've written.<br />
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<i>Originally published in March 2015</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/" target="_blank">Indian Wells</a> was always on my list of must-do tennis tournaments, and circumstances allowed me to make a slightly late decision to head to the desert for the 2015 BNP Paribas Open. I was toying with the idea anyway, but <a href="http://time.com/3694659/serena-williams-indian-wells/" target="_blank">Serena Williams' announcement</a> that she was going to play this huge joint event for the first time since 2001 made it a no-brainer for me. I had to be there.<br />
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I go to a lot of tennis tournaments and have for a number of years, but this was my first trip to Indian Wells. I have to say it will debut pretty high on my list of fave tennis tourneys in terms of delivering what I need to enjoy live tennis. Here's why:<br />
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<b>Getting there:</b><br />
It's no big deal to have a bit of traffic to get in and out of any sporting event, or to walk amongst big crowds heading into a tournament site. But Indian Wells has so many parking areas and roads in and out that only once did I get stuck in a parking queue of any size (and that was leaving the site toward the end of the night after the Bryan Brothers had won).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxHxqYauGgZxbyqfm_LkhyphenhyphenGnIdcFrfxTegY2LvKCe9IzewCS9PoSjZMMD16Ss2Q9rNFGQjpdkuTLdkAhVe_kq-uBXkiZ5WjNLzqt3_rc9egxBDeTb-ubcMQT_QtyJnI3VRVfLvQezqEvE/s1600/IMG_7493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxHxqYauGgZxbyqfm_LkhyphenhyphenGnIdcFrfxTegY2LvKCe9IzewCS9PoSjZMMD16Ss2Q9rNFGQjpdkuTLdkAhVe_kq-uBXkiZ5WjNLzqt3_rc9egxBDeTb-ubcMQT_QtyJnI3VRVfLvQezqEvE/s1600/IMG_7493.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa Nadal practicing on Practice Court 1</td></tr>
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In my 10 days at the tournament, I drove/rode in by noon each day (usually I got there by 10am when the gates opened) and the roads in and out were always manageable. This is so key - last year when I attended Miami it was such a struggle due to the lone road going into and out of Key Biscayne so everyone - players, fans, etc - has to sit in the same long queue of cars to get anywhere which can be frustrating. So there's a big point for IW.<br />
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Unless you're staying at one of the hotels on the shuttle route, you'll need a car to get to and from the site. I did read about some public transportation on local buses but never investigated. A friend and I rented a car for a few days, but that proved problematic in that she had media credentials so we couldn't enter the same gate (SIGH). We tried to avoid her dropping me off at one gate and driving to hers by taking the hotel shuttle but that was a bust too. We saw many people walking to the bus at the Holiday Inn Express, so we parked there and jumped on. All good. But on the way back, the bus driver asked us for our room key so we had to get a ride back with a friend instead. I would have gladly paid for a shuttle but that is not an option here (in Miami you can use the hotel shuttles even if you aren't staying there, and everyone pays regardless). Car parking is $20 a day onsite unless you have a parking pass. I heard there are places to park for free then walk but I didn't have to do that this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jAi0cbRr1PNpA6iouWWr9XZzRQDQufmea4n41V-4MYBT7N3lsNNJWzNXCenmGLV0J0O3PAUBmZziIf9hYWXLmek53bt23tXWzucAvmB2xlNGmm7oGoSkz9qRco47NEsgeDndF64B5186/s1600/IMG_4970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jAi0cbRr1PNpA6iouWWr9XZzRQDQufmea4n41V-4MYBT7N3lsNNJWzNXCenmGLV0J0O3PAUBmZziIf9hYWXLmek53bt23tXWzucAvmB2xlNGmm7oGoSkz9qRco47NEsgeDndF64B5186/s1600/IMG_4970.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A welcome sign for Serena Williams on the day of her comeback match</td></tr>
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<b>Grounds:</b><br />
In a word, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden = class. It's clear a serious wad of cash has been spent developing the site and everything is just beautiful here, from the two big stadiums to the ample green spaces. The stunning desert backdrop and palm trees all over the grounds certainly add to the beauty of the site.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4XumNGL5UT3atvmnSFm8ptvKOl1j90zwQp5KPfTL_4ct2-h8e2lIwNn3I79qLpVC7rqm-v-rS6P89J62KujqHkw1TiUaFm_0fz2fDHLpl_w-oh4B7sRuxkI0wfQhGT6GJmh3tVz4ltaO/s1600/IMG_6797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4XumNGL5UT3atvmnSFm8ptvKOl1j90zwQp5KPfTL_4ct2-h8e2lIwNn3I79qLpVC7rqm-v-rS6P89J62KujqHkw1TiUaFm_0fz2fDHLpl_w-oh4B7sRuxkI0wfQhGT6GJmh3tVz4ltaO/s1600/IMG_6797.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the big screen areas by the RumChata bar near the North Gate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHARq3IxaolKeLC6f1jTReGhcISwBVkKB5sT4CuQO5_tPdNCWZjY5Ow1NITxiwd8oxzVnVnO1fy0swgRYMZnDmi_szcr4saELkErONMZM5jOykSpoKex7JAl6exxTZ4q27yR0UNzbGSgl/s1600/IMG_6706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHARq3IxaolKeLC6f1jTReGhcISwBVkKB5sT4CuQO5_tPdNCWZjY5Ow1NITxiwd8oxzVnVnO1fy0swgRYMZnDmi_szcr4saELkErONMZM5jOykSpoKex7JAl6exxTZ4q27yR0UNzbGSgl/s1600/IMG_6706.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big screen area with lots of chairs and tables. There are 3 screens here</td></tr>
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Other than the opening weekend when close to 50,000 people were on the grounds each day, there's so much space here it never felt uncomfortably crowded. It helps that there are two large, grassy areas with tables, a huge big screen space with 100-200 chairs as well as a few large seating areas with shade and TVs. Given the baking sun here it's essential to take breaks in some shade so I really appreciated all the options available. Tables in the shade by the bars were a hot commodity but during the week it was easy to grab a seat for a meal or a break from the sun.<br />
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<b>Crowds:</b><br />
Overall, the Indian Wells crowds were amongst the friendliest I've encountered. For the most part, they were engaged, friendly and present. I had seats up high, down low and everything in between and you always have people talking loudly, answering their phones, etc so that's just part of watching live matches.<br />
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Admittedly one of the reasons I never made it a priority to attend Indian Wells was due to the crowd's treatment of Serena and the Williams family in 2001 (not living in the US for 12 years also played a big part). I had always planned to go there after Venus and Serena retired, as I couldn't see the point of attending a joint event knowing they wouldn't be there.<br />
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I'll write about this in more detail later, but the crowd's welcome of Serena during her first match brought tears to my eyes. To be part of a standing ovation for one of my most favorite athletes ever was unlike any other experience. I've witnessed many crowds boo when withdrawals are announced, or during retirements (see <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/03/day-5-at-aussie-open-21-january-2011.html" target="_blank">Venus Williams vs Andrea Petkovic, Australian Open 2011</a>). I also was in Stadium 1 earlier in the day of Serena's return, when boos were clearly heard near me when the MC made a reference to her comeback match that night. It was a tense wait as I sat in my seat waiting for the players, but they celebrated her return loudly and enthusiastically. I was proud.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOPWC1o2th_V17t13psd7emts52uSje7fqS0cI1uLEhE4zWjHLYUsx1Z2J3rx-rmR7VSjlIrhArz4ThnWztvlWnzRc1j3uDkHR-EIzeO_LwI4Qucgl-vAnU38Qm0cbY-SUfTlj1M0r2LG/s1600/IMG_4998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOPWC1o2th_V17t13psd7emts52uSje7fqS0cI1uLEhE4zWjHLYUsx1Z2J3rx-rmR7VSjlIrhArz4ThnWztvlWnzRc1j3uDkHR-EIzeO_LwI4Qucgl-vAnU38Qm0cbY-SUfTlj1M0r2LG/s1600/IMG_4998.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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On the negative side, I wasn't impressed that the stand control volunteers let people into their seats in the lower loge section during play. This was annoying whether you were in that section or up above (constant bodies in the way blocking the view). I understand movement in the upper loge and grandstand sections are not going to bother players, but they bother fans! It's not unlike this in other tournaments so I can deal with that. However, unlike any tourney I've been to, Indian Wells repeatedly let in night session ticket holders while the day session was still on (it ran late several times). This caused some disturbances as many stood around in the level between loge and upper loge/grandstand. Volunteers tried to get people to take any seat, but often they were not to be seen while people clogged up the lower areas and blocked the views of those of us sitting up high.<br />
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<b>Food:</b><br />
Indian Wells allows one to bring in food which is great. Every day I brought in enough food for the day and only twice had to get dinner onsite due to staying later. Trader Joe's was my go-to with lots of yummy salads, wraps and sushi to keep me going for 12 hours of tennis! There are plenty of food options onsite but none really impressed me much for the price. Stadium 2 has a Nobu but I don't like spending too much money to eat out in general and plus there was way too much tennis to watch so I wasn't going to eat in a restaurant anyway.<br />
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One of my favorite moments of the daily routine of getting into the site was a woman who checked bags upon our entry into the North Gate. She'd offer commentary about one's food - apples good, chips bad! She was funny. But do bring in what you can if you're money conscious or not willing to wait in line to buy a $12 salad.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice water and the OOP to start each day</td></tr>
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A word on <b>drinks</b> and what you can/can't bring in. This was really inconsistent which is one of my biggest complaints about attending sporting events. I'm fine with rules but be consistent. The first day I attended was the second day of qualies so we were able to bring in water, coffee and fountain drinks from offsite. Then gradually we couldn't bring in any liquids from a non-sealed container. That meant my two bottles had to be empty (ice was okay tho), and if I had a soft drink it had to be unopened. This was kind of a pain, as it meant people had to dump out their water bottles (hello CA is in a drought!) or buy bottled water (pains me to see that). There were a few places to fill water onsite, and I get the concerns about people bringing alcohol on site but if people really want to bring it in they will find a way. Glass containers was always a no-no, but basically I came in each day with 1 aluminum bottle and 1 CamelBak bottle which I'd filled with ice at the motel. Bring in as much ice as you can - it's so hot you will need it!<br />
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<b>Weather:</b><br />
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Unlike Jelena Jankovic, I am NOT a California girl. Born and bred in Iowa, I don't hate the sun but I prefer my temperatures to be a bit milder. I've always been sun sensitive so throw me into the desert and it was a bit of a struggle.<br />
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When I planned to attend 10 days of the BNP Paribas Open, I was worried about the heat. And it did bite me a few times despite all my efforts to stay cool. Here are some survival tips for trying to watch lots of live tennis while baking in the desert sun:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>ICE. </b>Freeze some water bottles or fill up your bottles in a motel, convenience store, etc. The more the better. If you're really hot during the match, put the icy bottle on the back of your neck, your feet and wrists to help cool down.</li>
<li><b>Umbrella.</b> I actually used my brolly once for some light rain we had one afternoon, but I used it plenty to help block the sun. You will be popular with your neighbors if you put your umbrella up (don't block anyone's view of course) and help provide others with a little shade.</li>
<li><b>Sit on a towel </b>- what a difference this makes! I didn't bring mine the first week and what a mistake that was. The seats/benches get HOT so this helps so much. It's also more comfortable (just don't leave it behind - I did once and was lucky it was still on my seat when I returned).</li>
<li><b>Soak a towel in water</b> and place on your neck, feet etc. I know a lot of people borrow towels from their motels and do this. I had a small handkerchief that I drenched in water on and put it on my burning feet and arms a few times. If you want something longer-lasting, but a<b> cooling towel</b> in the tourney shop (they were sold out when I tried) for about $15. Or get your own (I clearly need to <a href="http://www.missionathletecare.com/products/enduracool-instant-cooling-towel-large" target="_blank">buy this one</a>).</li>
<li><b>Sunscreen </b>- apply often. I am rocking a California glow but I put sunscreen on 3-4 times a day. But please be sunsmart.</li>
<li><b>Hat </b>- don't wear a sombrero (I have actually seen tennis fans wearing them in the stands!) but you will want a hat that covers your head and ears. Have you ever burnt the tops of your ears? Well, it hurts.</li>
<li><b>Water mister </b>- I used to have a small Evian face spray that was handy in the heat, but thankfully there are two sets of three fans onsite blowing out water mists so these were very popular. These were amazing and the queue was never too long so hop in and out as much as you need to. </li>
<li><b>Pain reliever</b> - if you're starting to feel off, take a few Tylonel, etc to help with the headaches.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6gTQ87lkSS8CsLosvoaN93Yc_XQiwK8240xA3Y_uDFnmONCBQ_0rOprkf2Y4IP7TPPKcNutYWfTbRkMo7ei81G8sZoNOamOpl5Bv_Z5hkSSvgAT82rnl_EJvugJFefzDB9sBEYoJLmbP/s1600/IMG_4581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6gTQ87lkSS8CsLosvoaN93Yc_XQiwK8240xA3Y_uDFnmONCBQ_0rOprkf2Y4IP7TPPKcNutYWfTbRkMo7ei81G8sZoNOamOpl5Bv_Z5hkSSvgAT82rnl_EJvugJFefzDB9sBEYoJLmbP/s1600/IMG_4581.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The misting water was a cool treat for fans</td></tr>
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Despite all my due diligence, I still had some sunstroke symptoms. If you feel woozy, get out of the heat immediately. There are a few First Aid stations onsite and they are full of great, helpful people who want you to feel better. On the second Monday, I watched Serena beat Sloane then Rafa beat Donald Young. I was in the upper section of Stadium 1 and I was just baking during the 3-4 hours I was in my seat. I decided I needed a bit of relief after Rafa won so I went to the First Aid station, and was immediately given a cold towel for my neck, a bag of ice (which I put on my feet), Tylonel, cold water and Gatorade. Don't take a chance - I had sunstroke once at the Australian Open and felt like I might fall over. I went to First Aid and they made me sit for an hour as my pulse had been racing. It's not worth the risk so be safe. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmts89kS4lywjsDDkovVlRBKwNS0uIdbRkq3r9HHITyRSG-5bP007shVfokvQT5N0P22jwMkLAbzxN4UIrc7a7v8m32PKo6MDF_BZyRJky3Egz0mVOGL1TsYMoLq9wLt8_ThY0Ewz3fmX-/s1600/IMG_5589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmts89kS4lywjsDDkovVlRBKwNS0uIdbRkq3r9HHITyRSG-5bP007shVfokvQT5N0P22jwMkLAbzxN4UIrc7a7v8m32PKo6MDF_BZyRJky3Egz0mVOGL1TsYMoLq9wLt8_ThY0Ewz3fmX-/s1600/IMG_5589.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching Ana Ivanovic on Stadium 4</td></tr>
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</div>
<b>Seats:</b><br />
Having been to all the slams and several other big tourneys, I truly feel like there is no bad seat in any tennis stadium once you've sat in the Promenade area of Arthur Ashe Stadium. So one of my day session tickets at IW was in the highest row on Stadium 1 and it was just fine. In fact it's great up there as you can enjoy the views of the entire tourney and keep an umbrella up without disturbing anyone.<br />
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In past years, there was a General Admission section in Stadium 1 but that has been changed now unfortunately. I never tried to sit there as I always had a stadium ticket, but that was quite unusual to have a GA section and unsurprisingly it filled up fast!<br />
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<b>Stadiums 2-10</b><br />
I admit Indian Wells was a bit confusing in terms of the other stadiums and reserved seats vs general admission. It wasn't just me - I heard a lot of people asking volunteers where they could sit, especially Stadium 2 (signs will help!) Stadiums 2 and 3 both feature some reserved seats so you can't sit in those even late at night when hardly anyone else is in the stadium. Stadiums 4-10 though are completely open and are great smaller courts which give you such close accessibility to all the action during matches. One of my favorite moments during my 10 days was the Anastasia Rodionova vs Yulia Putintseva final qualifying match on Stadium 8. I tweeted a lot of about this match and the lovely people over at <a href="http://thetennisisland.com/2015/03/10/tantrum-tweet-ography-putintseva-rodionova-burn-up-the-desert/" target="_blank">The Tennis Island did a great recap.</a> I always choose to sit behind the umpire and player chairs because you can really see what goes on. I love seeing top players, but my best memories (outside Serena's first match) featured players on the smaller stadiums. I love the more intimate crowds and being able to see the emotions and reactions of the players (both good and bad!)<br />
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<b>Practice courts: </b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-uUy23NnrEmsQuE4WfPdnE7j25Er_e1jAytmjRCqoFnKSC8UoFq9-fwgC2LBfyX14IrmX-6y6JqLYfe0JOHlePBrJYcd5SH4ZvWz5zRMawiYh7biOBB01earZRngzlNCZz2K70Sa5_Ip/s1600/IMG_4681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-uUy23NnrEmsQuE4WfPdnE7j25Er_e1jAytmjRCqoFnKSC8UoFq9-fwgC2LBfyX14IrmX-6y6JqLYfe0JOHlePBrJYcd5SH4ZvWz5zRMawiYh7biOBB01earZRngzlNCZz2K70Sa5_Ip/s1600/IMG_4681.JPG" width="320" /></a>If you attend Indian Wells, download the app which features a practice court schedule so you can help plan your day if you want to catch a specific player (tho like anywhere the schedule can change and does often). The courts here are great for watching practices and they even stream practice courts 1 and 2. The only issue with the courts is they block off access so there's limited walking areas but I think this helps with crowd flow. Two practice courts are fully inaccessible - 9 and 10 - and that's where Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova exclusively practiced. Other big stars practiced there too for some privacy. I know fans were bummed to not see Serena and Maria close up, but c'est la vie!<br />
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<b>Player autographs/The Field:</b><br />
Indian Wells is loved by players for its open spaces, and the large grassy area near the practice courts is one reason why. I'd long heard of this area and seen photos of players kicking the soccer ball around, etc. The field is a great area to spot players warming up, relaxing and hiding from the sun and the gated area near it is the place to get photos of players and autographs. As a rule, I do not do autographs - it's fine it's just not my thing because tennis fans can lose all sense of manners as they push and jump trying to get selfies and autographs. But I did brave the nuttiness to get a Rafa hat signed for my tennis-loving mom (tho I did have to get a sweet young girl to assist me because people pushed in so much. Honestly). But if you really want to try for a selfie or get something signed, it's not always chaos by the fence. I saw many tame moments with players like Madison Keys, Grigor Dimitrov, Kevin Anderson, Jack Sock and more. But for the top players be prepared to wait, be stepped on etc by fans.<br />
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Thinking of attending Indian Wells next year? <a href="https://twitter.com/StephintheUS" target="_blank">Tweet me</a> or comment here with any thoughts or questions! But I wholeheartedly recommend the BNP Paribas Open as a must-do tennis tournament. Hope to go back someday!<br />
<br />Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-64078948696801487712018-02-08T13:19:00.001-06:002018-02-08T13:19:09.004-06:00Fed Cup - take II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The last (and only) time I attended Fed Cup in spring 2002, I woke up on my first morning in Charlotte, NC, turned on the TV and learned that Billie Jean King had kicked Jennifer Capriati off the team. Back in 2011, Lindsay Davenport and Lisa Raymond shared some details on Twitter, and I did a brief post <a href="https://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/04/flashback-2002-fed-cup-us-vs-austria.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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So...fast foward 16 years and I am well excited to attend the US vs Netherlands Fed Cup tie in Asheville, NC this weekend.<br />
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This tie got even more interesting when Serena and Venus Williams were named to the team last month. Will Serena, returning from maternity leave, play singles? Time will tell.<br />
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I have never watched Venus or Serena play Fed Cup, so I'm excited to tick that off my list. It should be an energetic crowd and I can't wait!<br />
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I will be covering the tie it for <b>Tennis Panorama News</b>, so be sure to follow along on <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisNewsTPN">Twitter</a>! I'll be writing a few articles for the TPN website too: <a href="http://www.tennispanorama.com/">http://www.tennispanorama.com/</a>.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-48772973834529441132018-01-17T11:52:00.003-06:002020-05-02T20:40:32.952-05:00Update: Ranking Serena's 23 slam winning kits<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is one post I LOVE updating. This is my second update of my <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2014/09/fashion-which-of-serenas-18-grand-slam.html" target="_blank">original post</a> way back where Serena had a mere 18 slams (here was the <a href="https://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/12/update-ranking-serenas-21-slam-winning.html" target="_blank">second update</a> at 21 slams). So now that she's at 23 and counting, so it's time to add in the 2016 Wimbledon and 2017 Aussie Open outfits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#23 - 2005 Australian Open (Slam #7)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />I do like Serena in yellow, but this Nike kit was weird and I did not love Serena's reddish hair. What was that neck adornment meant to be? It looks like a jockstrap. And is that an apron in the front? What in the world Nike.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#22 - 2009 Wimbledon (Slam #11)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This was just a boring dress. And the big blazer she wore over it did nothing for her. Dislike.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#21: 2015 Wimbledon (Slam #21)</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The straps are killing me softly. The sheer piece at Serena's waist wasn't that flattering at times and no to the cheetah in white. No more.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#20 - 2002 Wimbledon (Slam #3)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Puma merely changed Serena's black French Open dress to white and I liked it less in white. Also think her roots were a bit overdue so a headband of some kind might have made the outfit less drab.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#19 - 2007 Australian Open (Slam #8)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />I know this is one of Serena's best slams but I always hated the lime dress and those huge earrings. The lines on the dress were unnecessary to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#18 - 2013 US Open (Slam #17)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLa6KeEwiX_FilYrI6SN19sNVWZKwpuYWpC9X9tEWBNoXZB3JAd4RRbO5IfKxRxCmXli6ifrxKL6-cQ_ZLn1kWWmDvMLsynl4MNIfH2BbOfIlD890Xo3GiQmO_xF2hSb3sTsbuz1rwZjt/s1600/images-10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLa6KeEwiX_FilYrI6SN19sNVWZKwpuYWpC9X9tEWBNoXZB3JAd4RRbO5IfKxRxCmXli6ifrxKL6-cQ_ZLn1kWWmDvMLsynl4MNIfH2BbOfIlD890Xo3GiQmO_xF2hSb3sTsbuz1rwZjt/s1600/images-10.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Serena's hair and makeup were top-notch at the 2013 US Open, and I love the shade of pink for the top half of Serena's dress but this awful skirt was just...awful. It was so short and flimsy so in the windy Ashe Stadium we saw more of her grey shorts than we did the skirt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#17 - 2009 Australian Open (Slam #10)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />The blue really popped and I liked the yellow accents. I like Serena so much better with longer hair so looking at this look overall I can't really get into the shorter curls, but loved the heart necklace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#16 - 2010 Australian Open (Slam #12)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />It's funny to look back to this pic, which is less than 5 years ago, and notice that Serena is so much fitter than she was before her health scares. I liked the gold color of this dress tho and thought it simple but nice. It helps that she wore this dress while ending the comeback hopes of Henin. Good times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>#15 - 2017 Australian Open (Slam #23)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cKmQL77SMGOTaJGiFs9bg8sgo6MpWXe7quI3c1X5qw8-lXiLcDQ1vlqKu2sBj2nL_EaLnntbU5Ga1e6_ic3L9jpQxdk9TWKzPW5BQuCLEYeLKnDtCfVx8nknIY5EEyhUpVfL3WbzWNZT/s1600/Serena%252BWilliams%252B2017%252BAustralian%252BOpen%252BDay%252B13%252BgdS8julHKCWl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cKmQL77SMGOTaJGiFs9bg8sgo6MpWXe7quI3c1X5qw8-lXiLcDQ1vlqKu2sBj2nL_EaLnntbU5Ga1e6_ic3L9jpQxdk9TWKzPW5BQuCLEYeLKnDtCfVx8nknIY5EEyhUpVfL3WbzWNZT/s320/Serena%252BWilliams%252B2017%252BAustralian%252BOpen%252BDay%252B13%252BgdS8julHKCWl.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I really didn't love what Nike did with the whole linear black and white thing, and now that we know Serena was pregnant while winning #23 the leggings make more sense. I didn't mind the sleeves, but this dress lands smack in the middle of her slam-winning kits to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#14 - French Open 2003 (Slam #2)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TlY6C2QPmUR_Aj-LHTUi9SvZVvelXG_cyktQkzgsmxU93GUYCJIaVviunG6-EuUONRJ3PKdBOtMha35eMacCRfDn1fI_nzq0mWtyFleP_TYlsw1y1C-uZtxz6H5apas23EMQevONKAVK/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TlY6C2QPmUR_Aj-LHTUi9SvZVvelXG_cyktQkzgsmxU93GUYCJIaVviunG6-EuUONRJ3PKdBOtMha35eMacCRfDn1fI_nzq0mWtyFleP_TYlsw1y1C-uZtxz6H5apas23EMQevONKAVK/s1600/images.jpeg" width="257" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We just don't see Serena in black enough but I always loved this black and gold Puma dress. Still didn't care for her hair but this dress was fantastic.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#13 - French Open 2015 (Slam #20)</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Loved the colors, but that cheetah pattern has got to go. I really like the brightness tho and thought it looked great against the orange clay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#12 - 2003 Wimbledon (Slam #6)</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Puma didn't mix things up much for Serena for Wimbledon, as this outfit wasn't far off from her 2003 Australian Open attire. But that color combo still worked great and I loved the belt. The hoop earrings were big but complemented the outfit well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><br /><b>#11 - 2014 US Open (Slam #18)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><br />This leopard print dress grew on me, but definitely liked it better in the white she won her 18th slam in. The pink accessories were perfect (need to find me some of those wristbands). I'd be happy if she changed her hair as the frizzy blonde is the only thing I didn't like about her most recent slam look.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#10 - 2008 US Open (Slam #9)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><br />Serena in red. This shade of red just popped and just seeing it reminds me of the sheer joy when Serena beat Jankovic to win this title. I wish the headband wasn't quite so thick but otherwise this was a winner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#9 - 1999 US Open (Slam #1)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />The only Serena slam with beads. I loved this Puma dress - the light yellow, the length of the dress was gre</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">at. I though</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t the big gold necklace was a bit much but overall this was a great look for the 17-year old.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">#<b>8 - Wimbledon 2016 (Slam #22)</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To be honest, this neckline scared me at first, but when I saw her in it in person, wow. Loved it! The skirt was so cute and I just thought it was one of her best Wimbledon kits in years. Simple earrings, tidy white headband. Big hair. #22 was a delight.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#7 - Australian Open 2015 (Slam #19)</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The colors here are amazing. Love the brightness and her hair looked fantastic. The straps were still a bit of an issue, but overall this was a win.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#6 - Wimbledon 2012 (Slam #14)</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I loved the purple accessories and thought this was her second-best Wimbledon look. The v-neck cut was cute and again just loved the 2012 summer hair Serena was rocking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#5 - 2012 US Open (Slam #15)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />This was great dress, and she wore a pink version for the day matches but I liked this better. The dark blue and yellow went great together and I loved the big hair she was rocking in 2012.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#4- 2002 US Open (Slam #4)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />The Catsuit. Puma you are so missed. This was actually my first live Serena - and wow. What can you say about this outfit? It was AMAZING. Loved the light link headband which is in this pic is hiding Serena's long blonde locks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#3 - 2003 Australian Open (Slam #5)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />I loved the bright orange and white Puma had for Serena in Melbourne when she achieved the Serena Slam. Her jewelry was simple and I thought her hair with the white headband kept the whole look very clean. The glittery strap was a great touch and loved the orange belt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#2 - 2013 French Open (Slam #16)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Who would have thought navy blue and a tangerine orange would look so good? This was such a great "Sweet 16" dress for Serena. And the hair was rocking!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><b>#1 - 2010 Wimbledon (Slam #13)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />My top dress is Serena's best Wimbledon look ever for me, and she coined this outfit "strawberries and cream." I loved the cute ruffles around the skirt and her hair looked great with the tiny headband keeping her naturally darker hair in place. Just loved this and even didn't hate the little warm-up jacket she wore over it. She even rocked red shorts under the dress. Perfection.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />So what's your vote? What is Serena's best and worst Grand Slam winning outfits?</span><br />
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Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-19223728450830609792017-08-27T14:25:00.000-05:002017-08-27T14:25:26.159-05:00Charleston Tips!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey y'all. After one heck of a travel adventure getting home (I may eventually post about travel mishaps on my travel blog), I am back and ready to recap my awesome 5 days at the Volvo Car Open!<br />
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I first attended the Charleston WTA event in 2013, and it was a magical year. I was credentialled media so this year was completely different. I went with my tennis-loving mom who uses a cane at events like this and has to be careful walking up/down steps.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikBRZVsqhpPayAFql9pyraIo1YmmfB7HsGqZ5f4eVxZIpbNPcWOl7BiuRfTu3X087UBcTiC4WIkJKtxiTm4fr4o4cPsTPVqtrKTDcnmamEI6t_3xa-xfYsGbv6AzgIzHOr0MnOnUnOaSM/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_4d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikBRZVsqhpPayAFql9pyraIo1YmmfB7HsGqZ5f4eVxZIpbNPcWOl7BiuRfTu3X087UBcTiC4WIkJKtxiTm4fr4o4cPsTPVqtrKTDcnmamEI6t_3xa-xfYsGbv6AzgIzHOr0MnOnUnOaSM/s400/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_4d.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the photos of prior winners in Charleston</td></tr>
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Per usual, I rate tournaments based on the following criteria:<br />
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<b>Food</b><br />
I admit I was so spoiled at the 2013 Family Circle Cup - the media center food was outstanding! Shrimp and grits, freshly made pralines. It was amazing. This time around, I had to feed myself and mom at least once a day onsite. We are told not to bring food into the site, and one woman who got her bag searched after me was questioned about a granola bar. I actually had a few snacks in my purse which I didn't have issues with, but we did not bring in anything that constituted a meal.<br />
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So - the onsite food includes one main food court area that had three different options, and then there were about 6 food trucks, and a few other stalls around the stadium. I can't say anything I ate wowed me, but it was all decent and pretty well priced.<br />
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We really never had an issue finding a table whenever we wanted to sit. Now this was great and all but I think attendance was way down compared to the previous time I was in Charleston.<br />
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<b>Ticketing</b><br />
I purchased tickets back in November and purchased individual session tickets. Because mom and I are both USTA members, we got $10 off each of our tickets. I booked on the phone because I wanted to get accessible seats for my mom. I held off buying grounds passes for the opening weekend because I wasn't sure of our schedule, but when we got onsite Saturday and Sunday the grounds passes cost us just $5 with our USTA discount.<br />
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The main draw starts on Monday, and the first night session was Tuesday night. Our handicap seats were located on the main stadium level, which was wonderful. We sat behind all the box seats. The 200 level were just above us, and then the top level is grounds pass admission, FYI.<br />
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<b>Stadiums</b><br />
Billie Jean King Stadium is a nice sized stadium and it feels pretty intimate. By far my favorite court at the Family Circle Tennis Center is the Althea Gibson stadium, essentially the 'grandstand' court. It's wonderful and is located right near the player area and the back practice courts.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Althea Gibson Club Court is a wonderful place</td></tr>
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Located along the stadiums are the main bathrooms and water fountains (still the old school ones, not the new bottle fillers). There are some food options inside the stadium concourse but I did not buy anything from them. The Hanby donuts did smell delicious, and I did notice a few bars and a Chick-fil-A (gosh it pains me to spell that name).<br />
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<b>Crowds</b><br />
As I mentioned above, this year's crowds felt a bit light, but I was there the first few days of the main draw. The opening weekend is always family-centre and the grounds were hopping so naturally the weekdays felt thin. But, this is not always a bad thing. It wasn't crowded for us to get around the grounds, there were always handicap seats available for us and as previously mentioned, getting a table was never an issue.<br />
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In terms of the stadium atmosphere, I gotta say the Charleston crowd is on the quiet side. I rarely heard anyone on any court actually cheer for a player. Only when I watched Venus did anyone every cheer her on by name, tho I am sure when Shelby Rogers played that was also the case.<br />
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<b>Security</b><br />
Every tournament is SO different when it comes to security and bag searches. As I have so regularly been media, I am sometimes not prepared for the old bag hunt. I did read the policy before we left so I knew the Volvo Car Open said no food could be brought inside and no glass bottles. It also said you were only allowed to bring in an unopened bottle of water. Well. I left behind my Swell bottle, but brought in a plastic bottle I could fill in onsite. My mom was the same. Neither was an unopened bottle but we never had issues. I had a few snacks in my bag, and security never nudged me about them.<br />
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I did not see a specific handicap line, and my mom's body cannot handle just standing on hard concrete so on our first day I asked if we could hop in the far right line which seemed for credentials? I wasn't sure, but they accommodated us which was great especially when we arrived as gates opened and the lines were long. Naturally, after 4 days the far right line changed and it was for box holders only, so the ticket scanners at the end were not the ones we needed. It all worked out, but signs might be helpful to indicate if there is a special line for any specific ticketholders?<br />
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<b>Accessibility</b><br />
Handicap chairs were literally just folding chairs and to put it mildly, they sucked! Totally uncomfortable. Even the ballkids had better seats - those plastic chairs which must have been a little softer than our hard chairs. I was regretting not bringing seat cushions but it can be a pain to lug them around all day. I was disappointed in the chairs and think the Volvo Car Open can do better!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Draw ceremony</td></tr>
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One issue we had getting around the grounds was that often we had to walk on gravel, or on uneven ground to get to practice courts or food seating areas. My mom had her cane with her, but I was uneasy in some areas. Also, the bathrooms were not handicap accessible. There was one bathroom near Althea Gibson, and the toilet was way low. Then were a few trailers but those steps up and down scared me. The main stadium did have what must be considered handicap toilets but again they were quite low.<br />
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A major issue we had was that the main stadium bathrooms had wet floors! No matter what time of day, anytime we used them the floors and stalls had water all over. I have no idea what the issue was, but the tourney should do better about mopping or sometime because it is dangerous.<br />
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I am happy that getting to and from our seats was pretty easy and all the steps leading to the stadium had a handrail. I did not notice if there was a slope to walk up instead of steps but my mom did fine with the stairs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTI1kNUwYY7fzCBHkn3w16ftrKGXiNEXnS7_DqbwuVc2wn-LzSOu1yeqinXj87EH5yw0kuGVCKxtB62LOL9qnz4-eERpD4eHNewO6UKMhHVDlHWHiouor3epxf02EJQ-Eo086QKps75S1/s1600/QpbTktSURLS2Ogx5zJfGMA_thumb_21a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="903" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTI1kNUwYY7fzCBHkn3w16ftrKGXiNEXnS7_DqbwuVc2wn-LzSOu1yeqinXj87EH5yw0kuGVCKxtB62LOL9qnz4-eERpD4eHNewO6UKMhHVDlHWHiouor3epxf02EJQ-Eo086QKps75S1/s400/QpbTktSURLS2Ogx5zJfGMA_thumb_21a.jpg" width="352" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venus sliding to net</td></tr>
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<b>Charleston</b><br />
I admit that when I attend tennis tournament, I don't prioritize being a tourist much. So only one morning did we head to Downtown Charleston for a look around. I parked by The Battery and took a brief walk along the park and the waterfront area. Charleston is very much a walking city (at least the downtown) and the roads are narrow and there were so many buses and groups of people all over.<br />
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I tried to drive mom near the French Quarter and to the City Market area but on a Monday mid-morning it was busy. Other than that, on this trip we did not eat anywhere remotely local. Our long days at the tennis, and the bad weather, sent us to grab quick meals at Whole Foods and Trader Joes. But, I am not that much of a foodie so I didn't feel like I missed out.<br />
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All in all, Charleston is a lovely option for tennis fans. The intimacy of the grounds and courts is special and the tournament is so well-supported by locals. I know I'll be back!<br />
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More photos...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missed you here Serena!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petko's glamorous ballgirl - her sister I was told?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keys and Davenport hitting on Stadium court</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venus practice</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowds entering the gate</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful green clay</td></tr>
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<br />Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-5944879767879746402017-08-27T12:06:00.004-05:002017-08-27T12:06:48.011-05:00Cincy - take III<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRwO7p359CZpMmU7WjdB5YUJ90H_CXfu5YrKW1sZRBcEZtn3V5MIIfVOkwq2RwaAVMga6D-_O6N7I6kOWzUdBy_hkgH905iIX7-m_IMqm4WyQCI2McPkxWydmnxN1t5rgPjWxryCNcUoX/s1600/IMG_9233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRwO7p359CZpMmU7WjdB5YUJ90H_CXfu5YrKW1sZRBcEZtn3V5MIIfVOkwq2RwaAVMga6D-_O6N7I6kOWzUdBy_hkgH905iIX7-m_IMqm4WyQCI2McPkxWydmnxN1t5rgPjWxryCNcUoX/s400/IMG_9233.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cincy Stadium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The other day I referred to myself as a lapsed blogger. I had been asked to participate in a podcast called The Night Session:Box Seats by Val from <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisInsideOut" target="_blank">Tennis Inside Out</a>. It was fun to discuss a range of issues going on with the WTA this year, particularly the streaming mess. Take a listen here:<br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/334255280&color=ff5500" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<br />
I met Val a few years ago in Cincy and she was one of many awesome Tennis Twitter people I recently hung out with during my return to the Western & Southern Open (more on that later)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSKWOi4B5OoGILszCKpB0CdfW-0LnlQkC-bkE2qsPC-xeCJE83ICLj7yXohrtuRCLyl08D0OcBPF0fVCIknv0vMVaGyg3XlD_iV4Jb9q2nVfJjui_J4JQF6bs_-Xa7FeGtgMLsMAwHdzA/s1600/IMG_9565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSKWOi4B5OoGILszCKpB0CdfW-0LnlQkC-bkE2qsPC-xeCJE83ICLj7yXohrtuRCLyl08D0OcBPF0fVCIknv0vMVaGyg3XlD_iV4Jb9q2nVfJjui_J4JQF6bs_-Xa7FeGtgMLsMAwHdzA/s400/IMG_9565.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find the beauty of a rain delay</td></tr>
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I always say Cincy is my fave joint event held in the US (other than the US Open - if push came to shove I'd attend that each year if I could only choose one). Each time I've gone to ole Mason, Ohio I have stayed the entire tourney and this year was no exception but a big difference for me this year was that I wasn't credentialed media for the first time - was just a choice I made not to try and cover it for anyone so I was able to be a full-on fan the entire time.<br />
<br />
I attended Cincy with my favorite tennis fan - my mom! I told her she has a fan club and I loved introducing her to so many wonderful members of the Tennis Twitter family. It really makes a tourney so fun to catch up with tennis-loving friends, whether onsite during Isner matches, or later at night at Applebees or Brixx! Or on the tennis court....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MJgVAfjYsydm3FA59LWzUPANkl17DEImQbNfezI2a4Nlu3gNKIPPdlBeOa2g9Wf2AD_NAxVWudKpjCnqxRGx6ysRGM09yTw66c28kbWYDFmwG3k-9JR_B3P__xHamTXAQAicaLrNnxFE/s1600/IMG_9243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MJgVAfjYsydm3FA59LWzUPANkl17DEImQbNfezI2a4Nlu3gNKIPPdlBeOa2g9Wf2AD_NAxVWudKpjCnqxRGx6ysRGM09yTw66c28kbWYDFmwG3k-9JR_B3P__xHamTXAQAicaLrNnxFE/s400/IMG_9243.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art in progress</td></tr>
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So why do I love Cincy so much? Well, accommodation is pretty cheap, tickets are easy to buy (and to me quite affordable), I'm a midwesterner and happen to think we make great hosts and I think the Cincy vibe onsite is pretty chill. I always say to anyone who hasn't attended Cincy that it's like a US Open experience without the craziness of NYC and crowds. For the most part, all the top players are there (this year was super funky on the ATP side but I didn't miss anyone) and accessibility is wonderful.<br />
<br />
So here are my thoughts on what to expect when attending the Western & Southern Open:<br />
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<b>Tickets</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkMc8i0zq_xyB63EL41qji_3zsLz6B7WbUE0KRPoybRrthfutr_Xa2v8WkACC9shVAL7xBNxSNK_IDpumfDn7K9JFcD_d5VbVNwtlO2kEod_GyLzO6LwRhcVO2DcdSCYRvd_nzX10A0dk/s1600/IMG_9598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkMc8i0zq_xyB63EL41qji_3zsLz6B7WbUE0KRPoybRrthfutr_Xa2v8WkACC9shVAL7xBNxSNK_IDpumfDn7K9JFcD_d5VbVNwtlO2kEod_GyLzO6LwRhcVO2DcdSCYRvd_nzX10A0dk/s400/IMG_9598.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cincy gives good sunsets</td></tr>
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We purchased a full package which was around $700 each - this gave us the same seat for every session of this year's tourney. We purchased these back in February and I had tried to get handicap seating for mom (who has a hobby of getting surgeries and recently had food surgery) but I wasn't really successful. Our seats were under the media center (hey y'all) and initially I was annoyed with how high up we were, but then around 1pm each day we were in the shade and I was okay! I have never purchased single session tix to Cincy, but we did sell our finals tix through Twitter, and there is also a few ticket scalpers outside the grounds. I personally have never stopped by to find out about selling tix to them, but if you don't manage to find tix when you're already there, these could be good options.<br />
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<b>Food</b><br />
I think it's pretty hard to get amped about tennis tourney onsite food, especially when you've just eaten two meals a day for 8 straight days! I think the tourney needs to provide healthier options and more variety, but that's me. I recently completed the tourney survey and my three bits of food advice were:<br />
<ul>
<li>More than one coffee place - the existing coffee option was good but it was the furthest food stall from the main entrance and it was the only place selling coffee!</li>
<li>Healthier options - one of my fave food stalls in tennis is the awesome salad bar in Miami. So much of the Cincy food court is carbs, carbs, carbs! Pizza, stews, chili, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, etc. I get that Ohio loves its chili, but that's the last thing I want to eat when it's hot! #pass</li>
<li>More Asian foods - there was one sushi place which I love but I felt like another Asian option could have been great - even a noodle place or something. </li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxi-5wxQEmMspWT5X1HkGQZtoupp5clj_J0KIyNCZOrt0CerNcLS04OXO-XMwW327kyH3k2luxcJQywE9jJf15xqoK6VSagcXYWtMmWikwBFsn1EMmqt6IVxOIpelDzLkeKUcGZ28HFYe/s1600/IMG_9442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxi-5wxQEmMspWT5X1HkGQZtoupp5clj_J0KIyNCZOrt0CerNcLS04OXO-XMwW327kyH3k2luxcJQywE9jJf15xqoK6VSagcXYWtMmWikwBFsn1EMmqt6IVxOIpelDzLkeKUcGZ28HFYe/s400/IMG_9442.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating Graeters is a must do in the hot Mason sun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However, there were some great meal options - the falafel was a fave, and the coffee place had a yummy quiche that came with fruit. The stadium food was average but handy if you are like me and just want to race down and grab something then race back up for a match. The stadium food is hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, popcorn, nachos. It's fairly cheap and did the trick.<br />
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In terms of what you can bring in, the official Cincy rules say you can't bring in any food but every day I had nuts and dried fruit in my purse and I had no issues. The rules also say you can only bring in sealed water bottles or empty ones you fill onsite. Well, honestly I obeyed the first few days, then the rest of the time I had no issues bringing in a camelbak bottle filled with ice which was great given how hot it is!<br />
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<b>Practice Courts</b><br />
In general watching players practice in Cincy is pretty great. There's plenty of room to watch and only a few courts have accessibility issues. The Cincy app features a Practice Schedule which is fab. For the most part, it's pretty easy to see on each court, the exception when one of the big stars practice but that's no different than other tourneys. Warning - if your faves practice on court 15 it's very hard to see, but otherwise there's plenty of opportunities to catch your faves practicing. Also, I detest the setup of Courts 16 and 17 when big names practice there but c'est la vie.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCwLkfmibpFqD0-_eTTYb6mQgV0q37GpnUVO0RK3j04sKqUTqMHr0zJyGXl5FTCxmqa4zvAIXKLLmJaQdSJctPwcfgksB4hbLkNHG-DDy-_b1fpLS7nyPlUcDDySuBlF46OI_9iadeEnF/s1600/IMG_9242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="1600" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCwLkfmibpFqD0-_eTTYb6mQgV0q37GpnUVO0RK3j04sKqUTqMHr0zJyGXl5FTCxmqa4zvAIXKLLmJaQdSJctPwcfgksB4hbLkNHG-DDy-_b1fpLS7nyPlUcDDySuBlF46OI_9iadeEnF/s400/IMG_9242.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my fave tennis duos - Davenport and Keys</td></tr>
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<b>Player Spotting</b><br />
If you like seeing players off the court, you're in luck because Mason and Cincy are no NYC so you can try your luck at a few places. Applebees is right near the player hotel (the Marriott) so it's pretty common to see players there, and I have each year I've gone there. Also, Whole Foods is a good spotting place as well and I have heard Kings Island is too.<br />
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<b>Where to stay</b><br />
I have stayed somewhere different every year, and this year picked a hotel about 10 minutes away from the site. I have spent anywhere from $40 a night to $120 a night so there are plenty of options to fit any budget. If you don't have a car, then uber is a great option if that fits your budget. There are shuttles from four partner hotels, but I can't speak to how this works in terms of frequency. If you go this route, you'll need to book your hotel through the tournament (I've done this in Miami). More info <a href="http://www.wsopen.com/Tickets/tournament_hotels/?intloc=headernavsub" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<b>Transportation/parking</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39CcU9bEL5nyKJ8LVlmBDfYaCxkAOCMAFGjWFaGlCCNgyMTiW9mMH05OZ3t_EgDn8_zY-kgwFmDBEO7AvAYb7Zg-IGQD42P4vFTJ4AIK0Kz0ZF5XlXMa5-lFo_YbNu4XjfTnCdp1N1LoF/s1600/IMG_9577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39CcU9bEL5nyKJ8LVlmBDfYaCxkAOCMAFGjWFaGlCCNgyMTiW9mMH05OZ3t_EgDn8_zY-kgwFmDBEO7AvAYb7Zg-IGQD42P4vFTJ4AIK0Kz0ZF5XlXMa5-lFo_YbNu4XjfTnCdp1N1LoF/s400/IMG_9577.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa practice session</td></tr>
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I have only ever had a car when attending Cincy so I have always driven to the site. Two years I attended with my mom and she has handicap access so we parked there. In 2015 I was able to park in media parking. If you buy a package, it usually includes parking.<br />
<br />
Getting in and out of the grounds of course depends on your arrival and departure times but expect a gridlock situation if you stay until the end of the night sessions. Also, if it rains, the parking lots can be a MESS. In 2016 apparently 200 cars got stuck so there was more paved parking for some. However, we always parked on grass this year and thankfully it only rained one day/night so we didn't have to endure a muddy situation.<br />
<br />
A quick rant - the tourney does great when you arrive onsite and need the handicap parking area. But upon leaving? No system, no clear waiting area for a golf cart and you can only find carts from the north gate which also runs fans without handicap needs to their cars. Just messy - do better Cincy Tennis. Because parking for the public is primarily on grass, my mom struggled to walk to our car when we couldn't find a cart to take us (and with gridlocked traffic some nights I couldn't just get the car and pick her up). As always, the volunteers do their best and you couldn't pay me to try and direct traffic leaving the site at night. So, Cincy Tennis I'll be in touch....<br />
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<b>Other tips:</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNVrKgDn4rnM3A1cZk3tPTUDy1L__1Fucl12tplzzggkOftkMd-M0QJmJhI-XX9fWScqwohpuIIlhlImXEED9u92yUZw67yS00KmsO-RLJsxGUpYf5xZ0nS-IOxCEvl6A7S3bz4y4j8YC/s1600/IMG_8945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNVrKgDn4rnM3A1cZk3tPTUDy1L__1Fucl12tplzzggkOftkMd-M0QJmJhI-XX9fWScqwohpuIIlhlImXEED9u92yUZw67yS00KmsO-RLJsxGUpYf5xZ0nS-IOxCEvl6A7S3bz4y4j8YC/s320/IMG_8945.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A valuable cup if you like ice!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>If you don't want to wait in long lines at the North Gate, go around to the west gate. We were dropped off there every day (we parked in handicap parking and the tourney has golf carts to then take you to your gate) and there was never anyone in line! It was super easy and you then enter right by the back practice courts. Easy!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The Cincy Ice Game. Every year I've attended Cincy (2012, 2015, 2017) the tourney has a really cool, useful treat for fans. For 25cents, you get a plastic Cincy cup and with it you can get free ice the whole tourney at any of the stadium food stalls. Wonderful! But this year things went a bit awry midweek when all of a sudden the poor stadium workers said ice wasn't free. And then it was again. Anyway, great initiative Cincy but pick it and stick with it!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>USTA members used to be able to attend a member appreciation day which was held one day of the tourney. This was really fun - it was inside an air-conditioned marquee and they provided snacks and drinks plus you could get a USTA themed gift and get an up close look at the trophies. Sadly, this year the USTA decided not to hold this and instead just had a little tent near others and gave away a free gift. This was really disappointing because I always felt special at Cincy because of this event, and this time as we walked into the stall the two USTA guys barely acknowledged us and did not do much to make me feel like my membership was appreciated! Lame. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>There's a little tourney museum just inside the West Entrance and by practice courts 12-15. It's worth a pit stop (and it has A/C)!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>A Doubles Showdown is organized each year by Wayne Bryan (dad to Mike and Bob) - I can't speak to this as I'd never watched it but it's held early in the tourney and features a range of doubles players. This year I was in the adjacent court to it and there was definitely some loud atmosphere - sounded like fans were having a blast.</li>
</ul>
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So what did I miss? Let me know in the comments! A few more pics:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2BZN3Jz1kCAzOY6Aow50weeeU_YUcLjxNQrlnboNC1oWZf7Xayx9jFTIXYGwlNxi06doZFhVo1B1AGiWLINa-Xy7HC_1GncGXPofmVqfdmgBFxPaT6FwwLCGwpJf_Aikw6FfnGeBhXfs/s1600/IMG_9383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1518" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2BZN3Jz1kCAzOY6Aow50weeeU_YUcLjxNQrlnboNC1oWZf7Xayx9jFTIXYGwlNxi06doZFhVo1B1AGiWLINa-Xy7HC_1GncGXPofmVqfdmgBFxPaT6FwwLCGwpJf_Aikw6FfnGeBhXfs/s400/IMG_9383.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandstand court is >>></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wBXeOTONy6TIRYaY6aGnJPjba6nWwzYqohVfCFix4ZEg0g2wySfeU20oI1E3mxwQMykajVT8MAP2ebRJDAUirtUgApQyesLqm_E9i9QbWcvcpL9ITaGOTD4nyA4CAOaaTmDLsLYrI1GM/s1600/IMG_8788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wBXeOTONy6TIRYaY6aGnJPjba6nWwzYqohVfCFix4ZEg0g2wySfeU20oI1E3mxwQMykajVT8MAP2ebRJDAUirtUgApQyesLqm_E9i9QbWcvcpL9ITaGOTD4nyA4CAOaaTmDLsLYrI1GM/s400/IMG_8788.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Gate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ5-enUhQb7OTfhHvx449bRFp3V5FGxqBzGPDdDmDCTryKbf0bLGGmd5yul8Bh1OZ5xiLatEFiiHr8U5N-_EkB3C3LjDLPH0Zmvdgfl4z4yXHEEDplMSycqI7gCvIOaPOQZ7C4V40Jv2e/s1600/IMG_8817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ5-enUhQb7OTfhHvx449bRFp3V5FGxqBzGPDdDmDCTryKbf0bLGGmd5yul8Bh1OZ5xiLatEFiiHr8U5N-_EkB3C3LjDLPH0Zmvdgfl4z4yXHEEDplMSycqI7gCvIOaPOQZ7C4V40Jv2e/s400/IMG_8817.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowded Rafa practice </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8a9l4xqrqd4VSXWVAGZhwH652ohWq_c_3LiuQxH6cl82AcbaXY-q-duQRQAYHMzXdqhSYZpJJGowwv8hLWOTILNEqu66ztaqPzGHlPeFea4bRMXXFUvvtnBujJbBJaOoH_sH9K1T1NVe/s1600/IMG_8844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8a9l4xqrqd4VSXWVAGZhwH652ohWq_c_3LiuQxH6cl82AcbaXY-q-duQRQAYHMzXdqhSYZpJJGowwv8hLWOTILNEqu66ztaqPzGHlPeFea4bRMXXFUvvtnBujJbBJaOoH_sH9K1T1NVe/s400/IMG_8844.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from food court toward Stadium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhja4yttbiiu5LsFkbSGYnQIG7KtA6cIQG-SWrje_ODl8e63AKd4-xz4q3JZp1h-6iFEPUyVLeXnA02KqM3dz5fN7UvnNsQbEgceqQO-zlHYpQgjn-TQakr98wjBvQ2xLjkGP9HHvtxtfDB/s1600/IMG_8849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhja4yttbiiu5LsFkbSGYnQIG7KtA6cIQG-SWrje_ODl8e63AKd4-xz4q3JZp1h-6iFEPUyVLeXnA02KqM3dz5fN7UvnNsQbEgceqQO-zlHYpQgjn-TQakr98wjBvQ2xLjkGP9HHvtxtfDB/s400/IMG_8849.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Player arrival area - very popular with fans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHwCZiPTKBJTnrlqucuBi4NrciVrx9Q9ZARlbhyiXvZcUFkic0iBNMNLydTFi3fcBosZQ6xQSPc4URQs6NCd8iTv_TQjcxAUFD2kr1_7TwRSySlcw14MJLygPvx1dsyvsJYKZBoSP62ml/s1600/IMG_9374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHwCZiPTKBJTnrlqucuBi4NrciVrx9Q9ZARlbhyiXvZcUFkic0iBNMNLydTFi3fcBosZQ6xQSPc4URQs6NCd8iTv_TQjcxAUFD2kr1_7TwRSySlcw14MJLygPvx1dsyvsJYKZBoSP62ml/s400/IMG_9374.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful sunset over Grandstand</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TlmAaKQUWyvA6kU1JlzmKgxOQYqd0M5tEUOd6Txh_nzQxNqKbPMjRQggKbxyBudkZtVcEZqKahjlidSlMq05_ImvbzSSAzWHve4acD8KEDFJDB4_06STRhFhSosbTWqhYE8GfV0dUR59/s1600/IMG_9379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TlmAaKQUWyvA6kU1JlzmKgxOQYqd0M5tEUOd6Txh_nzQxNqKbPMjRQggKbxyBudkZtVcEZqKahjlidSlMq05_ImvbzSSAzWHve4acD8KEDFJDB4_06STRhFhSosbTWqhYE8GfV0dUR59/s400/IMG_9379.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tennis Channel studio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE50hICoPVK-8_CZa8cr-yObUQqzz9AFowNfPQDoscPQ5kenZUFvG1Zn8VXEUyhDMMJhcelfkZx4sQRKpHnn9Wf0AM7xrjUlrCy64teQ1Y1ig_oHiSMaqnZpe4EbRczxipQ-9XbK_77Tl6/s1600/IMG_9591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE50hICoPVK-8_CZa8cr-yObUQqzz9AFowNfPQDoscPQ5kenZUFvG1Zn8VXEUyhDMMJhcelfkZx4sQRKpHnn9Wf0AM7xrjUlrCy64teQ1Y1ig_oHiSMaqnZpe4EbRczxipQ-9XbK_77Tl6/s400/IMG_9591.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you resist some tennis swag?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqMQf2sIJOEtofl7vX5C36N9Z2VnaLEcoa-QRDzy_4g7S-CGhVw1iT3ywVQgUZpEyB_icbqjxmOhNkQJOtRTU6BQQxdIYMDXi49WGWGgdvn6Nhjpz4Vx2JS93U0xDQR_nOYfgpJuaTIDw/s1600/IMG_9766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqMQf2sIJOEtofl7vX5C36N9Z2VnaLEcoa-QRDzy_4g7S-CGhVw1iT3ywVQgUZpEyB_icbqjxmOhNkQJOtRTU6BQQxdIYMDXi49WGWGgdvn6Nhjpz4Vx2JS93U0xDQR_nOYfgpJuaTIDw/s400/IMG_9766.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the nosebleeds (but SHADE)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTQTQp4RimtmWgwJcnNvL5leVYHnK3toYD6nWGuEn6cGaC5lITiM4qs2PWimqUs_bLvSzEHF9WumyNV0Tf8npUlkLp3HkOOKJsZHrE-XnWAIxdP7aLPdlXD0KE6DtQkLhS4vXfdAaIKPF/s1600/IMG_9834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="1280" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTQTQp4RimtmWgwJcnNvL5leVYHnK3toYD6nWGuEn6cGaC5lITiM4qs2PWimqUs_bLvSzEHF9WumyNV0Tf8npUlkLp3HkOOKJsZHrE-XnWAIxdP7aLPdlXD0KE6DtQkLhS4vXfdAaIKPF/s400/IMG_9834.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you must buy tennis souvenirs.....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimi9ntChqpKQgu-tIq_DDIjFQGzBL6fwX_TaxkbhTDBq027n_HMP14oGCSDyR_Aq4VZz0uGK4MQd4qXXZfT72y2QcK2f0HniJsFocJRbl6dgXzAxo11T7cjT8Ubj8xojjdW_U-vq9BNjIp/s1600/IMG_9850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimi9ntChqpKQgu-tIq_DDIjFQGzBL6fwX_TaxkbhTDBq027n_HMP14oGCSDyR_Aq4VZz0uGK4MQd4qXXZfT72y2QcK2f0HniJsFocJRbl6dgXzAxo11T7cjT8Ubj8xojjdW_U-vq9BNjIp/s400/IMG_9850.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See you next time!</td></tr>
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<br />Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-13179978723594981072017-08-16T14:19:00.000-05:002018-01-17T14:21:29.715-06:00Revisiting the 2014 Hall of Fame Induction<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gU1ty1ga3r1YA88F1V9t7SVjlOBSfhlCAfo5pXLuWT3c6wii8ubjS4F9hDR3XAS1TJTxRXpbGW3HEP45LnT8WyhBDbWQbvwrMmCj9ySVbfuiMpIB1yaxSe6zcC9GlUY3QTugVIoLJ9j5/s1600/IMG_4339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gU1ty1ga3r1YA88F1V9t7SVjlOBSfhlCAfo5pXLuWT3c6wii8ubjS4F9hDR3XAS1TJTxRXpbGW3HEP45LnT8WyhBDbWQbvwrMmCj9ySVbfuiMpIB1yaxSe6zcC9GlUY3QTugVIoLJ9j5/s320/IMG_4339.JPG" width="320" /></a>After watching the 2017 induction ceremony into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, I wanted to look back to 2014's ceremony which I somehow forgot to blog about.<br />
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In 2013, I first attended the Newport event and saw Martina Hingis and other inducted. I remember feeling emotional as the inductees were introduced, and it didn't matter how much or how little I knew about each person being honored. Witnessing<br />
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At the time, I <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2013/07/newport-hall-of-fame-museum-and.html" target="_blank">wrote</a> that I couldn't imagine how emotional I'd be seeing a favorite inducted.<br />
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Well, the next year I got a chance to return to Newport and I was thrilled as Lindsay Davenport was inducted as was Nick Bollettieri, coach of my original faves Monica Seles and Andre Agassi.<br />
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The Hall of Fame Museum is a gem, and it's been redone since I was there so a return is required. As a full-on tennis nerd, I have walked through the museum three times in the two years I attended Newport and my last visit was the most special.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rVAzPI-DPRXn912zu4bISMCHBpp6sdjdSaNOCi7Uz9VdLMWk6TlrgXF1zmuuTcGe6IAfv-F02cqXUQVZ-o2SZwHERWIcViCAQ50xZ5pYhI0yimcsqiBVI5PdSdiDGyTJ-aw4eFELzIeA/s1600/20140712_151748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rVAzPI-DPRXn912zu4bISMCHBpp6sdjdSaNOCi7Uz9VdLMWk6TlrgXF1zmuuTcGe6IAfv-F02cqXUQVZ-o2SZwHERWIcViCAQ50xZ5pYhI0yimcsqiBVI5PdSdiDGyTJ-aw4eFELzIeA/s320/20140712_151748.jpg" width="180" /></a>After the 2014 ceremony, my mom and I went to the museum for another look. We ended up meeting and talking at length to Nick Bollettieri's wife and got to see Nick's framed certificate (and even posed with it!)<br />
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We also got to chat with Lindsay's sister in law who was lovely and friendly so it was just a fun way to spend our time in Newport.<br />
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The day of the induction, a group of tennis legends plays an exo and I was thrilled that my WTA all-time fave Monica Seles was playing. I saw her a few times on the ground and got a chance to gush to her - she is so humble and kind and watching her hit a few balls again was a joy.<br />
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A few more photos from a great weekend in Newport 2014.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA89A3AvSc5johN2msrvdxn6VBBNe5I7CcD22lnnBtJChHMC_k-kruOLoPh1XVsgT80t2-ZTRk8W7jYnexsLNBWdWb7sfflMyMH3JhMykGDCtegpmjD8ASyE5fwpQ8f5uTJOksgb-86xDn/s1600/20140712_135920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA89A3AvSc5johN2msrvdxn6VBBNe5I7CcD22lnnBtJChHMC_k-kruOLoPh1XVsgT80t2-ZTRk8W7jYnexsLNBWdWb7sfflMyMH3JhMykGDCtegpmjD8ASyE5fwpQ8f5uTJOksgb-86xDn/s400/20140712_135920.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjw_j7UxIWonSVL0RlKl5NmL4H2a2IA2oQOhyphenhyphenybddwLwXjrE55IyR1KbelopS5knnJ8Qpx1iZLUfvS8dPGHqEUQkyVXAnRZw3qo2u1ncMIr_SjTp16OfQSELwxqaBVhvmVgO8VA8gGETh/s1600/20140712_141139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjw_j7UxIWonSVL0RlKl5NmL4H2a2IA2oQOhyphenhyphenybddwLwXjrE55IyR1KbelopS5knnJ8Qpx1iZLUfvS8dPGHqEUQkyVXAnRZw3qo2u1ncMIr_SjTp16OfQSELwxqaBVhvmVgO8VA8gGETh/s400/20140712_141139.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-12351197353626445352017-03-25T08:11:00.001-05:002017-03-25T08:57:53.598-05:00Charleston, take IIHello tennis fans!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GD3czIT0sRlF7CUelcN0JZZp30GXcuHvg4PiboJ3I-UaJ-apVh_2O2BI8XCs-yiQmh_uP8oeQpCqiA-GEYqpeoC5jPdkuFDp_tAaZNsvB6RrAlKIQfAghrqSwaS59ta5DpQsKGWSRoY9/s1600/IMG_5150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GD3czIT0sRlF7CUelcN0JZZp30GXcuHvg4PiboJ3I-UaJ-apVh_2O2BI8XCs-yiQmh_uP8oeQpCqiA-GEYqpeoC5jPdkuFDp_tAaZNsvB6RrAlKIQfAghrqSwaS59ta5DpQsKGWSRoY9/s400/IMG_5150.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena Williams, 2013</td></tr>
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Tis the season for tennis returning to the US. Each year since I moved back to the US, I have taken in springtime tennis. With so many options you really can't go wrong, so I have mixed up my tennis travels for the past five years:<br />
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2013: <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2013/04/final-thoughts-on-family-circle-cup.html" target="_blank">Charleston</a><br />
2014: <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-close-look-at-sony-open-my-9-days-in.html" target="_blank">Miami</a><br />
2015: <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/03/tips-for-enjoying-and-surviving-bnp.html" target="_blank">Indian Wells</a><br />
2016: Miami (oops didn't blog!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9YAUQrwkJuTXoOoU8JAF_C7Oi3GZ8LGrzxGgl15K7pUxBGbPT2HUbUyblbj9qg69LE8mBpg4HMUilxuiwNwq8KWXoZKqRvNTbfNJYUxHgxlcQLrKUM22ijnJ7tyCPwIz23qWOMUfb9b5/s1600/IMG_4187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9YAUQrwkJuTXoOoU8JAF_C7Oi3GZ8LGrzxGgl15K7pUxBGbPT2HUbUyblbj9qg69LE8mBpg4HMUilxuiwNwq8KWXoZKqRvNTbfNJYUxHgxlcQLrKUM22ijnJ7tyCPwIz23qWOMUfb9b5/s400/IMG_4187.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful green clay in Charleston</td></tr>
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So....this year I decided to return to Charleston, home to the <a href="http://www.volvocaropen.com/" target="_blank">Volvo Car Open</a> (previously known as the Family Circle Cup). I LOVED my time in this lovely city and wonderful tourney when I came here the first time in 2013.<br />
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Growing up, my mom always subscribed to Family Circle magazine so I remember regularly seeing ads for this tourney way back when. One of my earliest tennis memories was Jennifer Capriati reaching the final here at just 14 years old back in 1990 (vs the 'lege' Martina Navratilova). For years the tourney was on Hilton Head but it's been held at Daniel Island since 2001.<br />
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I will be onsite the opening weekend for qualifying rounds, and then the first three days. Last time I was at this event I was credentialled media, but this time I am going as a fan with my mom so my experience will be totally different. I will post my thoughts and tips after I return.<br />
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One of the reasons I'm so keen to return to Charleston is because I am a huge supporter of women's tennis and I love how wonderfully this event has been supported for more than 40 years. Charleston is a great tennis playing city and there's great energy at the tournament.<br />
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So, follow my exploits in Charleston via twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/stephintheus" target="_blank">@StephintheUS</a>) and I'll post some thoughts once I return! I may do a periscope or two as well (I am also @StephintheUS there).<br />
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Bring on some fabulous women's tennis!<br />
<br />Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-53046306919042536722016-07-30T13:54:00.001-05:002016-09-11T10:13:50.737-05:00US Open - tips, tips, tips!<div>
There is nothing like the US Open. Hot, loud, crowded, amazing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 US Open women's final: Serena vs Wozniacki</td></tr>
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My first visit was back in 2002. On opening night, I saw my first live Serena Williams (in a catsuit no less), then Andre Agassi. Not a bad way to start my US Open experience!<br />
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Since my debut, I've been back 4 other times (2011-2014) and have had various types of access: tournament credentials (meaning I got to hang out in the player lounge and restaurant) plus media credentials a few years - I've been spoiled. My last visit was 2014, and I logged for ESPN after attending all four days of the qualifying tournament (<a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2014/09/us-open-2014-highs-lows-and-my-stint-as.html" target="_blank">see my match logging post here</a>). I've also done a US Open grounds tour (<a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2014/05/behind-scenes-us-open-tour.html" target="_blank">view my recap here</a>) so long story not short, I know my way around the US Open.<br />
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Back in 2011, after I attended all four slams that year, I wrote up a slam rankings post (<a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/09/grand-slam-rankings.html" target="_blank">read it here</a>). The US Open didn't fare as well as the Australian Open (my all-time fave) and Wimbledon (though the ticketing situation makes me rethink that a bit). I've had a few New Yorkers argue that the food at the US Open isn't that awful, or that it has improved, but I have my views.<br />
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Anyway, onto some helpful tips if you are new to the US Open, are thinking about going or are returning after a long break. I skipped 2015 (had such a wonderful time in Cincy I felt like I didn't need to go to the US Open) and am returning for 4 days this year.<br />
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So....on to it!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ticketing:</span></b><br />
The US Open uses <b><a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com/US-Open-tickets/artist/807197?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module" target="_blank">Ticketmaster,</a></b> and they have an <a href="http://www.ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com/USTA/us-open-tennis-tickets/?extcmp=gw001796" target="_blank"><b>official reselling site</b></a> which is so handy. There is even a temporary Ticketmaster office set up as you exit the subway station/LIRR arrival area just at the end of the boardwalk. So this means you can actually logon to the website onsite to try and buy tickets, and/or you can print off tickets there before you enter the gates. So handy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIixjAkJtC7JE5FEoQ7Fsd5zN8qd4WqdSm9GeKZnaM0zx0QHMRe6RYsEHOuwEi7sIDIPleZSmq8aarSOC5JRQ3h9CKN0S9Jesz3dG5FtM9ssDtuenmNaPm8YdkHthWEsFQufrlqTXbp-Q0/s1600/IMG_6371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIixjAkJtC7JE5FEoQ7Fsd5zN8qd4WqdSm9GeKZnaM0zx0QHMRe6RYsEHOuwEi7sIDIPleZSmq8aarSOC5JRQ3h9CKN0S9Jesz3dG5FtM9ssDtuenmNaPm8YdkHthWEsFQufrlqTXbp-Q0/s400/IMG_6371.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fans on their way over the boardwalk</td></tr>
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Usually, I buy individual tickets and unless they are sold out, I always buy Arthur Ashe Stadium tickets. My reasoning is this: the tickets are not that much more than grounds passes. For example, this year for the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, a grounds pass is $85. My Arthur Ashe ticket is $115 face value (I bought it as part of a package). $30 more for a guaranteed seat for Ashe stadium and entrance into any other stadium makes sense to me. Even if you just want to see one big match on Ashe it's worth that difference to me. I have sometimes loaned out my Ashe ticket to other fans who want to see a fave on Ashe, and nice fans have done the same for me.<br />
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If you are not into Ashe at all (which I get - it's definitely the worst tennis stadium I have ever been in), you can opt for reserved seating tickets to Louis Armstrong or Grandstand in addition to grounds passes. During the first week, a grounds pass will get you plenty of action, but that's usually my last resort at slams because I prefer to have a seat somewhere if only just to escape the crowds if needed.<br />
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<b>Ticketing packages:</b><br />
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This year, I opted to get the "Holiday Weekend Mini Plan." I made a deposit back in February for $200 ($100 deposit per ticket) and then in March I was able to 'convert' my deposit into actual seats and tickets. Once I did that, I had to pay the balance for my tickets. FYI, that package (which is good for all sessions from Friday night-Monday night of Labor Day Weekend) cost $674 each.<br />
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Usually, I wait until the last minute and Labor Day weekend almost always sells out - it's just a crazy weekend but I love it. If you wait too long, you will have to buy tix on the resale site, or through <a href="http://www.stubhub.com/us-open-tennis-tickets/grouping/8307/" target="_blank">Stubhub</a>. I've done both and the price can hurt. There are other packages only, and in my experience from doing this at a few events it's worth it. You can always sell any tickets you can't sell online. Check out all the plans <a href="http://usta.usopen.org/US-Open/ticket_plans/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Practice Courts:</span></b><br />
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If you love watching players practice, then you'll love the US Open.<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Before being gutted after the 2013 US Open, the US Open practice courts were a hard spot to watch player practices. Fans love watching practices - it's often the only time many can get up close to players - and it's great the US Open finally made the area easier to watch. Now there's a viewing gallery over the practice courts as well as a schedule posted nearby which is most welcome. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition to the practice courts, a lot of top-tier players like to practice on Louis Armstrong and Grandstand so keep an eye on those courts if you're sweeping around, </span>especially<span style="font-family: inherit;"> during the qualifying rounds.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Getting there: </span></b><br />
I usually stay in Flushing so I typically arrive on the subway at Mets-Willets Point station. From there, it's about a 10-minute walk to the East Gate, but I often like to walk around to the South Gate because I love seeing the Unisphere and the lines are usually much shorter. If you choose to stay in Manhattan, the <a href="http://web.mta.info/maps/submap.html" target="_blank">subway</a> is fine but I usually prefer the <a href="http://lirr42.mta.info/" target="_blank">LIRR</a> which tends to be a few dollars more but I just prefer to travel above ground for the most part.<br />
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For full info about arriving onsite, click <a href="http://usta.usopen.org/US-Open/transportation__directions/" target="_blank">here</a>. If you are coming to NYC for multiple days and plan to take the subway, do buy a <a href="http://web.mta.info/metrocard/" target="_blank"><b>Metrocard</b></a> to keep your life simpler.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Grounds:</span></b><br />
If you're a first-timer, the best suggestion I can give you is to do a few laps around the grounds before committing to a match. If you get into the gates before play, check out the outer courts as players will be practicing and you can also note where water fountains, bathrooms and food/drink kiosks are located. Here are a few tips as well (and check out some of my pics from 2014 <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2014/09/2014-us-open-around-grounds.html" target="_blank">here</a>):<br />
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s7GdCPac5riwMdU_BMOGwa-VnGNOQi0MDCMuLD4mZ_VwtguQxPrWNS9B_4uwFyKwqJMAt40UI3fJeTDcq-tWNGqkDt2RdpN38MufmdwUotaCuuiweL7F2b8KI9ufwiUvf0K04ttYmVrh/s1600/IMG_5395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s7GdCPac5riwMdU_BMOGwa-VnGNOQi0MDCMuLD4mZ_VwtguQxPrWNS9B_4uwFyKwqJMAt40UI3fJeTDcq-tWNGqkDt2RdpN38MufmdwUotaCuuiweL7F2b8KI9ufwiUvf0K04ttYmVrh/s400/IMG_5395.jpg" width="300" /></a>
<li>American Express always sponsors a little earpiece radio playing US Open radio. Be sure to pick one up as it's fun to be able to listen to what's going on around the grounds or on other courts. Or if you miss match commentary!</li>
<li>The onsite bookstore is always worth a look. In years past it used to be located near the East Gate, but in 2014 it had been moved over near behind the big fountain area. Either way, there are great books and calendars for purchase. I always buy something there.</li>
<li>Hang out by the fountain under the big screen. It's just fun!</li>
<li>I always bring a few USB chargers, but if you haven't there are Chase charging stations on the grounds. </li>
<li>Don't miss checking out the Court of Champions wall located near the South Gate.</li>
<li>Before you enter the grounds, be sure to read up on what you can or can't bring in <a href="http://usta.usopen.org/US-Open/what_can_you_bring/" target="_blank">here</a>. Less is always more as to me it's annoying to have a heavy bag all day. A few must haves: phone, sunscreen, a hat, a few empty plastic water bottles, USB charger and a credit card. Honestly, that's about all you'll need! There are cash machines onsite, but the US Open is so friendly in taking plastic. I have always brought in a bit of food but nothing crazy but in my experience the US Open security isn't too bad compared with Wimbledon and the French Open.</li>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Food/Drink:</span></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyXzlS8yv-9aOLSqVa_KPG6l_evE-izdo8zRVfDsahk1CxAqvLEUI5N_ZTB6KdfbMwPfSpLK3pn1q1KQPTNs2UfKkhrudn7tIqjpVsfJoZMRdb0uKdOkRrfHkMKrYI_TFAmvPx05ULYNy/s1600/IMG_6847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyXzlS8yv-9aOLSqVa_KPG6l_evE-izdo8zRVfDsahk1CxAqvLEUI5N_ZTB6KdfbMwPfSpLK3pn1q1KQPTNs2UfKkhrudn7tIqjpVsfJoZMRdb0uKdOkRrfHkMKrYI_TFAmvPx05ULYNy/s400/IMG_6847.jpg" width="300" /></a>As I mentioned earlier, some locals disagree with me but I don't rate the food that much at the US Open. Of course I've been spoiled by being able to eat in the player restaurant and media cafe in years past, so I miss the sushi when I'm not credentialed.<br />
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But I have a few faves, especially drinks. The Honey Deuce (see left) is a must drink when at the US Open, if only for the great cups they are served in which list former champs on the back. For non-alcoholic drinks, I love the crushed lemonades. So good and refreshing.<br />
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Personally, I find the stadium food inside Ashe to be pretty dire, but some sandwich options are okay. Around the grounds, there's more than just the Food Village including the Heineken Red Star Cafe near the fountains and a few other hidden shops that offer enough options to keep you going. I never leave the site to eat, but certainly if you are into that, heading to nearby Flushing for great Asian food is an option!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Where to stay:</span></b><br />
As I mentioned earlier, I usually stay in Flushing but in years past I have also stayed in the East Village or Long Island City. When I've travelled alone to the US Open, I've stayed at the <a href="https://www.ymcanyc.org/flushing" target="_blank">Flushing YMCA</a> and used Airbnb. Both have been great and super convenient (<a href="https://travelsbysteph.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/airbnb-a-hearty-endorsement/" target="_blank">check out my Airbnb tips here</a>). My mom and I have stayed at the Howard Johnson in Flushing and that's been fine. I'm not a big spender on hotels when I go to tennis tourneys, it's just not worth it to me when I'm onsite all day and night.<br />
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If you have time to explore New York City, here's <a href="https://travelsbysteph.wordpress.com/2015/05/23/usa-new-york-city/" target="_blank">my travel blog</a> on my favorite places to visit!<br />
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What have I missed? What else would you like to know about the US Open? Hit me up in the comments.</div>
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Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-52252387616070905992016-07-10T18:53:00.000-05:002017-01-31T20:38:58.435-06:00Views on all things WimbledonHello readers!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExtmdCETZbETheRxjfGbPeK5ZEpWM6D2zezg-VfePjnorMuwRUaC5lLfFf_UYeD2M-j-hWlPCU_EiTPSzirFsQHBuVl6KbRd32Ynxf6n4chqAccSRDWnkzTW8SHpBqkjLGHgGp4hRUymE/s1600/IMG_1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExtmdCETZbETheRxjfGbPeK5ZEpWM6D2zezg-VfePjnorMuwRUaC5lLfFf_UYeD2M-j-hWlPCU_EiTPSzirFsQHBuVl6KbRd32Ynxf6n4chqAccSRDWnkzTW8SHpBqkjLGHgGp4hRUymE/s400/IMG_1584.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from atop the hill</td></tr>
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I realized before heading to the UK a few weeks back that I had somehow never written any tips for attending Wimbledon. A clear oversight on my part, but one that I will now remedy!<br />
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I should name this blog post "Tips from a tennis addict who hates the Wimbledon queue/ticketing process" because that is an accurate way for me to describe my feelings when I try to finagle ways to attend the grass court slam.<br />
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Although 2016 marked my third visit to the Wimbledon Championships, we go way back to 1996 when I first visited the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Back then the gift shop was much smaller and you could check out Centre Court through a little piece of plexiglass. She and I have come a long way.<br />
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Each year I've attended Wimbledon I've done things a bit differently, but here's my take on the tournament, which is my second favorite Slam to attend (<a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/08/30-days-of-tennis-challenge-favourite_08.html" target="_blank">#1 forever and always the Australian Open</a> - see my grand slam <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/09/grand-slam-rankings.html" target="_blank">rankings</a> I did after attending all four in 2011).<br />
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My last day at Wimbledon was "Wacky Wednesday" in 2013 (<a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2013/07/wacky-wednesday-at-wimbledon-my-centre.html" target="_blank">recap here</a>) so I had high expectations of my 2016 attendance. And boy, did I have a magical four days.<br />
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A few highlights:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMTS6nPocwWxl7ncltC8XLWtq5Kd1Dtwlm58jO6sNNk-YtxaIQLyhjlMjzwF7ADbuD9PrOvOAnkbTNiVjkVmTc0yoR-Z7RtHhDH0Cau9Cx5Z5pYiUHfS9qhgmhBvNdD-RaTajaKrEfMKS/s1600/13606443_10154350529801967_6619049532241640907_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMTS6nPocwWxl7ncltC8XLWtq5Kd1Dtwlm58jO6sNNk-YtxaIQLyhjlMjzwF7ADbuD9PrOvOAnkbTNiVjkVmTc0yoR-Z7RtHhDH0Cau9Cx5Z5pYiUHfS9qhgmhBvNdD-RaTajaKrEfMKS/s400/13606443_10154350529801967_6619049532241640907_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena warms up for her first round match</td></tr>
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<ul>
</ul>
<b>Centre Court</b> - I had been in CC three previous times, but I was shocked to learn that this year I would make my 2016 Centre Court debut in the <b>second row</b>. I had tickets for Serena's first match as defending champion, got to see Andy Murray for the first time at Wimbledon, then saw Caroline Wozniacki versus Svetlana Kuznetsova followed by a bonus match of Vandeweghe/Bondarenko.<br />
<div>
<br />
It is simply unreal to sit so close. I could see all the emotions, hear every sound the players made and almost feel the exertion when the players hit the ball. I was awestruck for awhile watching Serena right in front of me and hearing the force of her shot and effort in striking the ball. Incredible.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One thing about Centre Court that is so different from other slam stadiums is that you able to get SO low in terms of viewing. I have sat in lower sections at the US Open and Aussie Open, but you are still sitting above the players. Here, you can literally walk onto the court and there is something crazy cool about being that close to the action.</div>
<div>
<b>Venus Williams</b> - seeing the five-time champ at Wimbledon was high on my tennis fan bucket list and I was thrilled I got to see Venus on the intimacy of Court 18. I sat right next to Venus and Serena's sister Isha and two spots down from Mama Oracene so talk about feeling like I was part of the Williams family! My sole goal this year was to see Venus at Wimbledon and I was thrilled that this dream to come true. The crowd was so into the match, which was a tough three-setter against the talented Maria Sakkari, and because I got a great seat as soon as I got into the grounds that day, I really got to enjoy this one. What a magical atmosphere!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6VZzIYUDKN26hZ1umyaac1JnKK9OIFO5znqmkVYVN1_ZeX4KexIB8VVVAq6goi6gTEz5WQqsECzELUCt6v-SrfBNrPI_8OxgkcJ_wtkbuKntlPI3ldkPIL4Y_M7Dzi6jyg79xy9HunzA/s1600/IMG_1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6VZzIYUDKN26hZ1umyaac1JnKK9OIFO5znqmkVYVN1_ZeX4KexIB8VVVAq6goi6gTEz5WQqsECzELUCt6v-SrfBNrPI_8OxgkcJ_wtkbuKntlPI3ldkPIL4Y_M7Dzi6jyg79xy9HunzA/s400/IMG_1487.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching Venus on Court 18 was amazing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Williams Sisters doubles</b> - as a huge Venus and Serena fan, there is something so special about seeing them on the same side of the court playing doubles. When they played their first round match on No. 3 Court, the welcome the crowd gave the sisters was incredible, and the support throughout the match was an absolute joy to witness. I had never seen them play doubles at Wimbledon, so again this was a first I really enjoyed.</div>
<div>
As always, <b>Tennis Twitter </b>provides so many opportunities to meet up with fellow tennis fans and media friends. I met a few new people, saw many longtime friends and sat next to such friendly fans again and again. I rarely attend tournaments with friends or family and much prefer it on my own to keep things flexible and ensure I get to see what I want onsite. Also, if you are ever thinking it's not ideal to attend a tournament like Wimbledon on your own, I say scrap that thinking because engaging with those around you can be so much fun. A special shoutout to <a href="https://twitter.com/footfaulttennis" target="_blank">@FootfaultTennis</a> who got me a Court 3 ticket on my final day and we shared the Venus experience together on Court 18. </div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdGGpF3M0YQEk5-NfcKbyg33IyziDZXipXiTQkiHBGGgSoKX-1n5VeRZvB6zrGdYlVtCX1-5ctehCIFvg1odqHYKP_UbTIAf8vMpj2txdjm_Y3wTxgjnUMg2741lECpabyBUs7XmDrmJN/s1600/IMG_1629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdGGpF3M0YQEk5-NfcKbyg33IyziDZXipXiTQkiHBGGgSoKX-1n5VeRZvB6zrGdYlVtCX1-5ctehCIFvg1odqHYKP_UbTIAf8vMpj2txdjm_Y3wTxgjnUMg2741lECpabyBUs7XmDrmJN/s400/IMG_1629.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crowd on No. 3 court was delighted with Venus and Serena doubles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I also had a chance to contribute a few quotes to a piece on Venus Williams after the match she played on Day 4. My friend <a href="https://twitter.com/NickMcCarvel" target="_blank">Nick McCarvel</a> interviewed me afterward for his great article, which you can read <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2016/06/30/36-venus-williams-still-threat/86546638/" target="_blank">here</a>. I also had a chance to take part in a podcast talking about Venus, Serena and all things Wimbledon with my friends from <a href="http://thebodyserve.podbean.com/" target="_blank">The Body Serve podcast</a>. <a href="http://thebodyserve.podbean.com/e/its-a-williams-world-at-wimbledon/" target="_blank">Listen here</a>!</div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
Now, onto some thoughts and tips on what I consider to be the most important aspects of attending Wimbledon.</div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ticketing</span></b><br />
Boo!! Didn't hear me? BOOOOOOO! I detest the Wimbledon ticketing system, or lack thereof. First of all, flying across the world to attend a tournament or sporting event of any kind without having actual tickets in hand is ridiculous. Secondly, not everyone in the world likes to stand in line or sit in damp grass in a field for 6+ hours just to get into the grounds well after the gates open.<br />
<br />
Here are options for ticketing, based on the ones I have tried:<br />
<br />
1)<b> <a href="https://www.aeltc.com/BallotApp/en/BallotForm" target="_blank">The ballot</a>:</b> In December each year, the Wimbledon Public Ballot opens and you simply register with your name and address and that's it. For me, this resulted in zero tickets, so I can't attest to its process. But from what I understand you get offered tickets to sessions and can accept or not accept. I will try this again in the future but all I know is that I struck out on this option for 2016.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLK3udQp6bnf6sx8JNxXpM1ZQrxk3xjeuQmAj_arsTQOEaHkDFGBYxL5LBvjJr1YyyTdUBDS89OmVE8ourIpOONSgvWqhJnRloNddBV_Jy7SXQ_iu3Ch8KN0l1eLyyMjL21wFy2TluSzQ2/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLK3udQp6bnf6sx8JNxXpM1ZQrxk3xjeuQmAj_arsTQOEaHkDFGBYxL5LBvjJr1YyyTdUBDS89OmVE8ourIpOONSgvWqhJnRloNddBV_Jy7SXQ_iu3Ch8KN0l1eLyyMjL21wFy2TluSzQ2/s320/IMG_0927.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My second row Centre Court ticket!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2) <b><a href="http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ticketmaster</a>:</b> MY FAVE. Yes, you can buy Wimbledon tickets like its a normal sporting event 1-2 days before the day's play. I heard about this in 2011 but thought it was a myth because as soon as I logged in all tickets were gone. But in 2013 I sat shaking with anticipation at noon on the Sunday before play began as I attempted to get a Tuesday Centre Court ticket. And I did! There are two sets of tickets sold on Ticketmaster UK:<br />
a). At 9am the day before play, several hundred Centre Court and No. 3 Court tickets are sold online.<br />
b). At 12pm two days before play, Centre Court and No. 3 Court tickets are sold online.<br />
<br />
My tips: get logged in and start hitting refresh a full minute before 9am or 12pm. Be prepared for super annoying captcha "I'm not a robot" steps before you will know if you got a ticket. This year, I got the first Tuesday tickets this way but struck out other times, mostly because I was onsite and only could search on my phone which was hard. If you are successful, you go to the designated gate to pick up on the day (usually from 9.30am) which is great because the queues are really short and then you are inside until the gates open fully at 10.30am. You just need to show the ticket confirmation email on your phone (or printed), your ID and the credit card you purchased the tickets with and there you go.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYxW5xKPNyEyyN_hXERdo0AY_38JDOGGtaTAgNNba-A__gQ2Z_IZ1KofvowfMINSSkqV754aoo6sccMJ_fo7RPuIshNeBjEU4BEBfYyTZqfY6mSkRY88t2WVcW2QnyJRnkXT7PEDeZXQ-/s1600/IMG_1416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYxW5xKPNyEyyN_hXERdo0AY_38JDOGGtaTAgNNba-A__gQ2Z_IZ1KofvowfMINSSkqV754aoo6sccMJ_fo7RPuIshNeBjEU4BEBfYyTZqfY6mSkRY88t2WVcW2QnyJRnkXT7PEDeZXQ-/s400/IMG_1416.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So thankful I did not have to go this way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
3) <b>Queuing:</b> Please don't try to convince me that The Queue is fun in anyway, because I do not fly across the pond to spend many, many hours waiting in a long line outside to get tickets to a sporting event. I don't need to get up in the middle of the night to head to the queue, and then be tired all day long due to lack of sleep. And don't even get me started on having to camp. No. I have queued on three different occasions so I have had enough of that experience for this lifetime.<br />
<br />
I would love to take my mom to Wimbledon, as she's such a great tennis fan and she'd love to go. But my mom can't sit on the ground, nor would her fake hip and fake knee deal with bringing some camping chair of some kind to sit in for hours on end, plus the last few hours you have no choice but to stand, and even with a cane my mom would not be able to do ALL this just to get into the grounds, where you have to do a fair bit of walking to get around. Queuing is not a great option for anyone elderly or with physical limitations like my mom hence why the system pisses me off even more.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDsXlo7IcLonp3ax4XyIGUOYjL-uN1yOzyzNpqrfH9ZD2KbmH6s-uUleigrivpJQyp33jjkEwziJRkLkT6JcNQhyphenhypheneGW5Sx8gOkdJc3RDfBzcBYxROCxbO9qb5KpTbpKYA5MfEleefW70d/s1600/IMG_6593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDsXlo7IcLonp3ax4XyIGUOYjL-uN1yOzyzNpqrfH9ZD2KbmH6s-uUleigrivpJQyp33jjkEwziJRkLkT6JcNQhyphenhypheneGW5Sx8gOkdJc3RDfBzcBYxROCxbO9qb5KpTbpKYA5MfEleefW70d/s320/IMG_6593.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My view of the Queue in 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But, if this is your speed or you can't get tickets any other way, here are some tips:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>When to arrive: </b>This totally depends on the Order of Play. There is just no consistency to timings as there are many factors. My experiences: in 2011 on Day 1, we arrived in The Queue around 4 or 5am and we got Court 1 tickets. By 2pm I felt ill due to waking up at 2.30am. On Day 3 that year, my friend and I arrived onsite around 10am and got a grounds pass. I can't remember what time it was that we got through the gates. In 2013, I queued on Day 1 and I think I arrived around 6am. I got No. 2 Court. Again, I can't recall what time I got in the gates but I think it was around 11am. </li>
<li><b>What to bring: </b>something to sit on that can keep you dry and dispose of, reading materials to pass the time and plenty of USB phone chargers to keep you amused. </li>
<li><b>Bring CASH</b>: you will need cash for your tickets, and for anything else you need to buy while queuing. There are coffee and food stands to help keep you going along the way and they are cash only.</li>
<li><b>Follow the <a href="https://twitter.com/viewfromtheq" target="_blank">Wimbledon Queue</a> </b>Twitter account<b> </b>as this is a great way to find out how the queue is progressing. I've tweeted them to check how many people are in the queue to gauge how long the wait might be.</li>
</ul>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Grounds</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li><b>Practice courts: </b>To be honest, I don't bother trying to see practice courts at Wimbledon. It's definitely the worst slam in terms of that access, which is a shame but I'm not the biggest fan anymore of seeing practice sessions. The court are located at the very northern part of the grounds, and you have to stand in a raised walkway area which is always very crowded. I think there is another area where you can see courts but it's always too busy for me to bother. Sometimes I have seen players practice on the smaller courts but usually at least for the first week they are all usually on the practice courts.</li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxTrl6YzUXVVWYLKzVDgJuNvK6ssoVBRCZ3pMyVsQSnJleH10B63JJoPl8IvGgBK4reglpUuUSdzXcUNndSJaT5w4CPdliVLK3raEJDjrV8NSGhDj_lXYDiJ6x5-8LdctYPhSPRbuDSQz/s1600/IMG_1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxTrl6YzUXVVWYLKzVDgJuNvK6ssoVBRCZ3pMyVsQSnJleH10B63JJoPl8IvGgBK4reglpUuUSdzXcUNndSJaT5w4CPdliVLK3raEJDjrV8NSGhDj_lXYDiJ6x5-8LdctYPhSPRbuDSQz/s400/IMG_1252.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monica Puig was one of the rare players I saw practicing on a match court</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><b>Resale tickets:</b> one thing Wimbledon does that I love is the resale ticket queue. Ticketholders who don't stay the entire day can donate their tickets as they leave the grounds and if you're in the grounds you can queue up and spend 5-10 pounds for a show court ticket. I did this in 2011 and saw two sets of Andy Roddick in a seat just behind the Royal Box.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Food and drink: </b>you can bring in a bit of food and drink which is a nice way to keep costs down (and not spend heaps of time standing in lines for food). I usually brought in a sandwich/quiche and fruit and had no issues but I saw many people bring in large bags of food. Be prepared for significant bag searches - the most diligent of the slams from my experience. A word of warning - don't bring in any metal water bottles as I have heard they will not allow them. If you're not keen to bring in food, then the onsite restaurants are fine. I usually go to the Food Village below the No. 1 Court (close to the practice courts) to the smallish store that sells sandwiches, sushi, wraps and a few snacks and drinks. The lines here are never very long and there are benches and tables nearby to eat at. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Views: </b>Walk to the top of Henman Hill/Murray Mound. It's beautiful. Also, near the resale queue is a wonderful area to look at Court 18 and beyond. Wimbledon is by far the most beautiful slam and when you feel like navigating all the crowds one of my favorite things to do between matches is to just wander along the grounds.</li>
</ul>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Wimbledon Village:</span></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GTRFqF0rqudj200pBg0AyMJA9pnVNt7Bq3rnMYPQ90mMiD6xv4x0XgSL1JwvfYdSCw8x630pFNav5lALg8bq2Z3BH4Y8XBKSKidAGVgWLoAmHUogUT39kDAOX9rCgBFjYsND7NNDAyg6/s1600/IMG_0731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GTRFqF0rqudj200pBg0AyMJA9pnVNt7Bq3rnMYPQ90mMiD6xv4x0XgSL1JwvfYdSCw8x630pFNav5lALg8bq2Z3BH4Y8XBKSKidAGVgWLoAmHUogUT39kDAOX9rCgBFjYsND7NNDAyg6/s400/IMG_0731.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wimbledon Village shop windows are incredible</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.wimbledon-village.com/" target="_blank">Wimbledon Village</a> is such a special place. Many people walk to Wimbledon via the village, and it's such a wonderful atmosphere during the Championships. The Village shops all decorate their windows and fully embrace the tournament. Many players stay in and around the village so it's great place to player spot.<br />
There are great <a href="http://www.wimbledon-village.com/food-bars-restaurants/" target="_blank">cafes and eateries</a> which are hopping morning noon and night, and I love spending time here. The <a href="http://www.dogandfoxwimbledon.co.uk/" target="_blank">Dog and Fox</a> pub is by far the hub of the village and it's a great place to grab a drink and watch matches if you're not at the tourney. My fave place to grab a sandwich to take with me to the tennis and grab a coffee was Paul's and I loved <a href="http://www.wimbledon-village.com/business/le-pain-quotidien/" target="_blank">Le Pain Quotidien</a>. I saw many players and tennis coaches, media, etc there as the food is great and there's plenty of tables. I also love <a href="http://www.wimbledon-village.com/business/carluccios-restaurant/" target="_blank">Carluccios</a>.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_VufdV5cyW4bP0YJf1_panF2QiOWpMbwj6UMtP7uaEGg3wKaHukwvpm4lB1-8eJyn-KiCjX3A0ufzhGOOqf9O2cj1cjc-_sK43IBKlebrgx97Nlm37bPNjEeE4uMb_zRUZZxxBLiqAvq/s1600/IMG_0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_VufdV5cyW4bP0YJf1_panF2QiOWpMbwj6UMtP7uaEGg3wKaHukwvpm4lB1-8eJyn-KiCjX3A0ufzhGOOqf9O2cj1cjc-_sK43IBKlebrgx97Nlm37bPNjEeE4uMb_zRUZZxxBLiqAvq/s400/IMG_0895.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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This year, I was lucky to be in the village on the Sunday before play started. I hung out with my friend <a href="https://twitter.com/frameyourself" target="_blank">@frameyourself</a> and a few of her mates as we played spotted and enjoyed the vibe. Also, because I stayed near the village I walked through it twice a day on my way to and from the tourney. There is something so special about walking down Church Road from the village to Wimbledon.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Where to stay:</span></b><br />
I have <a href="https://travelsbysteph.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/airbnb-a-hearty-endorsement/" target="_blank">written on my travel blog</a> about how much I love using Airbnb. This is especially true on my tennis travels because I'm gone all day/night so I hate spending tons of money on hotels. I also often stay with friends when I travel, so I have only paid to stay near Wimbledon twice and both were through Airbnb.<br />
<br />
In 2013 I stayed a few nights in South Wimbledon and that was fine. I could take a bus a few stops to Wimbledon Village and then walk. This year, I stayed in Edge Hill, which is just down the road from the village. I could walk to Wimbledon in 30 minutes so I did that instead of using any form of public transport. The closest tube stations to Wimbledon are Southfields and Wimbledon, but I detest the tube so I like to be able to walk if possible.<br />
<br />
In 2011 I spent one night in a hotel near Hyde Park and that was just a bit too far from the Wimbledon Queue for me as we cabbed it there in the wee hours of the morning.<br />
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<b>Got questions? Hit me up in the comments!</b><br />
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A few more photos from my 2016 Wimbledon experience:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuktzFMoPgry7kRTpmuv8p5X3HcmwZizc1bOwt8vexQsYoWyEluciaksv_Pzl2qjjLO_q8pEGmGHX5BGIdUKHxbf2alCPE1hKDUfFE5myf0VC3A8vcyZke6YtaoIbTW4Tc4CNrH5IHJQJ/s1600/13529013_10154324651466967_7148378533105809983_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuktzFMoPgry7kRTpmuv8p5X3HcmwZizc1bOwt8vexQsYoWyEluciaksv_Pzl2qjjLO_q8pEGmGHX5BGIdUKHxbf2alCPE1hKDUfFE5myf0VC3A8vcyZke6YtaoIbTW4Tc4CNrH5IHJQJ/s400/13529013_10154324651466967_7148378533105809983_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-9343942279633775572016-05-16T13:07:00.000-05:002016-12-23T08:05:23.658-06:00Tennis TV and Tennis Channel Plus - a tennis nerd perspective<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When The Tennis Channel made its debut back in 2003, I was living in South Korea so I was not able to enjoy the early days. It wasn't until 2009 that I got a chance to see TC for the first time so when I moved back to the US in 2012 I was SO excited to finally get proper live tennis on TV and have multiple non-illegal streaming options. </div>
<br />
After years of watching dodgy illegal streams, I made the decision a few years ago to stop using them. Most of my decision was due to security concerns on my laptop and also irritation at the endless popup ads (and yes I've tried ad blockers to no avail) and overall poor quality of the streams. To me, a huge tennis nerd, having access to consistently reliable matches online is a must.<br />
<br />
In early 2013 I subscribed to Tennis TV for the first time and I've been hooked every since. I have used ESPN3 intermittently (usually during slams) and in 2015 I subscribed to Tennis Channel + for a month so I had better access for French Open matches.<br />
<br />
I've been meaning to post a blog about the tennis streaming services especially because in December 2015 I signed up for an annual Tennis Channel Plus subscription. Discussions of Tennis TV and TC+ are regular topics on my Twitter timeline and I often get into conversations about their merits.<br />
<br />
Before I offer my views about both streaming services, here are some facts.<br />
<br />
About me:<br />
<ul>
<li>I do not own a TV. </li>
<li>I can access Tennis Channel online due to my parents' TV subscription (but rarely do outside slams)</li>
<li>I have existing Tennis TV and Tennis Channel Plus subscriptions.</li>
<li>I can't stand ESPN coverage of tennis. I don't need the desk commentary and constant cutting in and out of matches plus you have to put up with commercial breaks. Also, I don't like the ESPN viewer - it's too small unless you maximize it on your computer and I don't like to do that. </li>
</ul>
Things I care about:<br />
<ul>
<li>Stream quality</li>
<li>Time delay of stream</li>
<li># of available tournaments</li>
</ul>
Watching on Tennis Channel is great, but they can only show one match at a time and they rarely do a split screen (which I personally find annoying anyway). So naturally, many fans get peeved when the matches they want to see are not shown. It's a bit of a no-win situation since fans have different expectations, favorite players and preferences.<br />
<br />
I know that many existing Tennis Channel subscribers are MAD that they don't automatically get a subscription to Tennis Channel + with their cable subscriptions. I get both sides of this argument, but since I am not a cable subscriber I don't mind paying for TC+ to supplement my tennis watching.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.tennistv.com/home/i" target="_blank">Tennis TV:</a></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdLLW-37pMJXLnsBSfpv_haDYloW53oXK5H3IMTky4ynoc0OW_AAGhjd7XkSVhc0AtUg44DmQ4uc4k_4t9mHFZBylWjQrEp_ocUMWcu0yEf2qJSJxJsJjh5pj_LWIL4nt7C-FnZAOFsUr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-15+at+1.22.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdLLW-37pMJXLnsBSfpv_haDYloW53oXK5H3IMTky4ynoc0OW_AAGhjd7XkSVhc0AtUg44DmQ4uc4k_4t9mHFZBylWjQrEp_ocUMWcu0yEf2qJSJxJsJjh5pj_LWIL4nt7C-FnZAOFsUr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-15+at+1.22.46+PM.png" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">
Per website: "TennisTV shows around 2,700 matches every year from around 100 tournaments."</span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><u>What's good:</u></b><br />
<ul>
<li>Live streams that start well before players come on court. You see the warm ups and all changeovers, MTOs, etc</li>
<li>NO commercial breaks</li>
<li>No desk reporting like ESPN and Tennis Channel so you actually get tennis, not extra interviews and commentary instead of live tennis</li>
<li>They usually show trophy ceremonies and on-court interviews</li>
<li>Can watch 1-4 matches at once from multiple tournaments even</li>
<li>Generally streams are in live time without any delays</li>
<li>Watch live matches on the go on the Tennis TV app (I can't think of many issues I've had using it)</li>
<li>Highlights available on the website in a pretty timely manner</li>
<li>Interviews available online in a timely manner</li>
<li>On Demand matches for seven days, finals for longer</li>
<li>Commentary is usually pretty solid (less annoying to me than most of the TC and ESPN commentary)</li>
<li>Great customer service - Tennis TV usually shows trophy ceremonies, and once they didn't include it on video replay and they ADDED it when I tweeted them about it.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><u>What's not so good:</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>No slam coverage or Fed Cup/Davis Cup. This is strictly a WTA/ATP product.</li>
<li>Sometimes quality of the stream can be iffy.</li>
<li>Every once in awhile they have technical issues but usually not for extended lengths of time.</li>
<li>No app available for Smart TVs (but that's coming in 2017)</li>
<li>Some tourney are geoblocked but in the US it's mostly smaller ATP events which I'm okay with. Info: <a href="http://help.tennistv.com/list-of-geo-restrictions/">http://help.tennistv.com/list-of-geo-restrictions/</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What's coming:</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2017, Tennis TV has some cool changes coming per their website:</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">We will make TennisTV available on more streaming devices in January including Apple TV, Roku devices, Amazon Fire devices and Chromecast with gaming consoles and Connected TVs to follow.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">We plan to stream more live tennis matches from the ATP World Tour and WTA and make all of these matches available as full replays throughout the entire season. On all devices. So, there will be no more 7 day window for full replays, you will be able to watch all year around.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">You will also have the ability to create your own playlists of your favourite matches, whether from full replays, match highlights or the classic match archive.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">The new TennisTV will also combine higher quality HD live and on-demand streams, integrated statistics & data and multi-court coverage to show up to eight courts of live tennis.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<b>Cost:</b> $129 per year ($10.80 per month) or $19.99/for a monthly pass or $9.99 for a day pass<br />
<b>Specials:</b> In 2015 they offered 16 months for the price of 12.<br />
<b>Info:</b> <a href="https://help.tennistv.com/" target="_blank">https://help.tennistv.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizM-4cHcCFVLRYj-B5guxChLuqY4Hl7B9cCXFOfHkktKtIjdoqc_5sOumICc59PrWd9hM8dKMBpdv7QxSUGbFKUFDhCv1gmn4UeRRO4mcMzjEEjsv5W4xpDdNpKpxFeM7Zp_cMj4HTjWZ2/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-15+at+1.22.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizM-4cHcCFVLRYj-B5guxChLuqY4Hl7B9cCXFOfHkktKtIjdoqc_5sOumICc59PrWd9hM8dKMBpdv7QxSUGbFKUFDhCv1gmn4UeRRO4mcMzjEEjsv5W4xpDdNpKpxFeM7Zp_cMj4HTjWZ2/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-15+at+1.22.20+PM.png" /></a><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.tennischanneleverywhere.com/channel/tennis-channel-plus" target="_blank">Tennis Channel Plus</a></span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Per the Tennis Channel website: "650 live professional tennis matches including up to 5 simultaneous live court play for the first 8 days from the French Open as well as 1 court from the Australian Open for the first 8 days as well as live matches from the ATP, WTA, Davis, Fed and Hopman Cups throughout the year. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">In addition, Tennis Channel Plus subscribers get On-demand access to 1000s of hours of tennis matches and original programming."</span><br />
<br />
<u>What's good:</u><br />
<ul>
<li>During slams you can have your pick from multiple courts (not at the same time tho) instead of whatever ESPN is showing.</li>
<li>They show Fed Cup and Davis Cup (and ties which may not be shown on Tennis Channel).</li>
<li>Access matches on their Tennis Channel Everywhere app (I haven't done this too often but haven't had any issues with it)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">No commercials - (I think?) if you watch Tennis Channel online there are ads, but I don't believe there are if you watch on TC Plus)</li>
<li>Stream quality is higher</li>
<li>View On Demand matches (not all, but some)</li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">You do not have to subscribe to Tennis Channel to get Tennis Channel Plus.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>What's not so good:</u></div>
<ul>
<li>My stream is always about 30 seconds behind real time</li>
<li>Can only watch one match at a time (versus 4 at time if you watch on Tennis TV)</li>
<li>Not available outside the US. </li>
<li>Comcast customers have issues (Still trying to understand what they are. Seems they can't access Tennis Channel Everywhere online to use TC+ but can view on devices?)</li>
<li>Justin Gimelstob</li>
</ul>
<b>Cost: </b>$89.99 per year ($7.50 per month). They used to do a monthly or daily pass option but I've been told those are no longer available. Used to be $10 for a monthly pass or $5 for a day pass. (waiting for verification from Tennis Channel).<br />
<b>Specials: </b>Tennis Channel + regularly offers subscription specials. I saved 20% off my subscription due to my USTA membership and I've seen many % discounts offered through Twitter.<br />
<b>Info: </b><a href="http://tennischannel.com/faq/#plus">http://tennischannel.com/faq/#plus</a><br />
<br />
So now what? I realize we're all different but for a tennis-obsessed person like I am, subscribing to both Tennis TV and Tennis Channel Plus is needed. I don't think either are expensive for what you get and I love being able to watch matches later in the day and like having multiple options if I don't like a commentator or if I'm having quality issues.<br />
<br />
What have I missed? What else would you like to know about Tennis TV and/or Tennis Channel Plus?Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-56216077395281586482015-12-20T11:00:00.000-06:002015-12-20T12:23:58.699-06:002015 Tweets and GIFs of the yearTwitter is a true gift, and thanks to amazing GIF-makers like <a href="https://twitter.com/wtareactions" target="_blank">WTA Reactions</a> following tennis has never been such fun.<br />
<br />
Here are some of the tennis tweets and GIFs that made me laugh, month by month, and others that made me proud. There just might be a few recurring themes....but what a fun year it was!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">January 2015:</span></b></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
This is perfection from Serena: <a href="http://t.co/wyJnFBYiDi">pic.twitter.com/wyJnFBYiDi</a> (via <a href="https://twitter.com/Ilovebabygigi">@Ilovebabygigi</a>)</div>
— Andrew Eccles (@BackSwings) <a href="https://twitter.com/BackSwings/status/559780421152808961">January 26, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Incredible. RT <a href="https://twitter.com/roobynVC">@roobynVC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ovafanboy">@ovafanboy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tumcarayol">@tumcarayol</a> I even made an infinite staredown fistpump loop version <a href="http://t.co/9ZLkboWLI6">pic.twitter.com/9ZLkboWLI6</a></div>
— Steph (@StephintheUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/StephintheUS/status/560670159447527425">January 29, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="und">
<a href="http://t.co/b8Rnr94T1K">pic.twitter.com/b8Rnr94T1K</a></div>
— Robyn (@roobynVC) <a href="https://twitter.com/roobynVC/status/561466091818745857">January 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Boom. Serena Williams wins <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen">@AustralianOpen</a>. Moves to #19 and counting. Congrats Serena. Legend. <a href="http://t.co/QJFi5mNb8c">pic.twitter.com/QJFi5mNb8c</a></div>
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) <a href="https://twitter.com/darren_cahill/status/561473015041388544">January 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Her legendary run continues. Congratulations, <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams">@SerenaWilliams</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Powerbeats2Wireless?src=hash">#Powerbeats2Wireless</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatsByDre?src=hash">#BeatsByDre</a> <a href="http://t.co/vqfCntPFKy">pic.twitter.com/vqfCntPFKy</a></div>
— Beats By Dre (@beatsbydre) <a href="https://twitter.com/beatsbydre/status/561586691622707201">January 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">February 2015:</span></b></div>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Today I announced that I’m going back to Indian Wells and I want you to come with me! Watch here & enter to join me: <a href="http://t.co/ITSzCjqTMB">http://t.co/ITSzCjqTMB</a></div>
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams/status/562978938902032384">February 4, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>March 2015:</b></span></div>
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Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams">@serenawilliams</a> you know <a href="https://twitter.com/vika7">@vika7</a> and me won't be having any fun. Lol! Thank you for 8 unforgettable years, what a ride it was....</div>
— sascha Bajin (@BigSascha) <a href="https://twitter.com/BigSascha/status/573137863988015104">March 4, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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Dominance!!!! <a href="http://t.co/dGIOIcELeG">pic.twitter.com/dGIOIcELeG</a></div>
— D. Anderson (@diane63h) <a href="https://twitter.com/diane63h/status/574555982925266944">March 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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Some went to Woodstock. Some saw Elvis' last live concert .... and then there are those who live to tell the story of Poots-Rodio IW 2015.</div>
— René Denfeld (@Renestance) <a href="https://twitter.com/Renestance/status/575444775278637056">March 10, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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There is no way I can return that serve if I’m not facing it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/serenareturns?src=hash">#serenareturns</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/niketennis">@NikeTennis</a> <a href="http://t.co/ysV36SXfOc">pic.twitter.com/ysV36SXfOc</a></div>
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams/status/576424862077485056">March 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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She's back. <a href="http://t.co/S54wxTHxqS">pic.twitter.com/S54wxTHxqS</a></div>
— René Denfeld (@Renestance) <a href="https://twitter.com/Renestance/status/576563854496395264">March 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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Incredible scenes <3 [getty] <a href="http://t.co/k6bpdu1a6Y">pic.twitter.com/k6bpdu1a6Y</a></div>
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) <a href="https://twitter.com/josemorgado/status/576579300524187648">March 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PowerToInspire?src=hash">#PowerToInspire</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams">@serenawilliams</a> <a href="http://t.co/ZK7tcVviqY">pic.twitter.com/ZK7tcVviqY</a></div>
— Kevin Fischer (@Kfish_WTA) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kfish_WTA/status/576604291596615681">March 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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One of the most emotional and memorable moments of my career. A Champion comes home. <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams">@serenawilliams</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BNPPO15?src=hash">#BNPPO15</a> <a href="http://t.co/2AYsC0P1wM">pic.twitter.com/2AYsC0P1wM</a></div>
— Andrew Krasny (@AndrewKrasny) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewKrasny/status/576812915581300736">March 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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<a href="http://t.co/9RUNZUMEmb">pic.twitter.com/9RUNZUMEmb</a></div>
— Robyn (@roobynVC) <a href="https://twitter.com/roobynVC/status/581260894786711552">March 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">April 2015:</span></b></div>
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Only 8 women have won 700 matches. <a href="http://t.co/TFGUtxa5ZZ">pic.twitter.com/TFGUtxa5ZZ</a></div>
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) <a href="https://twitter.com/bbctennis/status/583377298327490560">April 1, 2015</a></blockquote>
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What a shot!! Big come on from <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams">@SerenaWilliams</a> after a tremendous lob! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WTA?src=hash">#WTA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tennis?src=hash">#tennis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MiamiOpen?src=hash">#MiamiOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/Pt5YlYqNyS">https://t.co/Pt5YlYqNyS</a></div>
— WTA (@WTA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTA/status/583821313376178176">April 3, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
May 2015:
</b></span></div>
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When you're both like "Bye, Felicia" <a href="http://t.co/2UcRjo12RD">pic.twitter.com/2UcRjo12RD</a></div>
— WTA Reactions (@WTAreactions) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTAreactions/status/604721090817085440">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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Match summary: don't come for me when I didn't send for ya. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RG15?src=hash">#RG15</a> Vika vs Serena.</div>
— Andreen (@A_Gallivant) <a href="https://twitter.com/A_Gallivant/status/604722527487717376">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">June 2015: </span></b></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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Making a fortune from the swear jar like <a href="http://t.co/5EwOxSvdmj">pic.twitter.com/5EwOxSvdmj</a></div>
— WTA Reactions (@WTAreactions) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTAreactions/status/607202862918033409">June 6, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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When it hits you like <a href="http://t.co/p2AyUPb1NQ">pic.twitter.com/p2AyUPb1NQ</a></div>
— WTA Reactions (@WTAreactions) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTAreactions/status/607210226404704256">June 6, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><b><span style="font-size: large;">
July 2015:
</span></b></div>
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<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhewElse?src=hash">#WhewElse</a>???? "<a href="https://twitter.com/TheCauldron">@TheCauldron</a>: Serena booed by Wimbledon crowd, gives them the finger wag and says "don't try me" <a href="https://t.co/deEjZ7KjZ0">https://t.co/deEjZ7KjZ0</a>”</div>
— Bella Noché (@Ghetto_Rapunzel) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ghetto_Rapunzel/status/617038246544080896">July 3, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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Things start to get interesting at 21. <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams">@serenawilliams</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nikecourt?src=hash">#nikecourt</a> <a href="http://t.co/fK8f2C86UL">pic.twitter.com/fK8f2C86UL</a></div>
— NikeCourt (@Nikecourt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nikecourt/status/619877855984381952">July 11, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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<a href="https://twitter.com/StephintheUS">@StephintheUS</a> Yeah I agree. But it might be hard to play tennis wearing this. <a href="http://t.co/NoxtACSweS">pic.twitter.com/NoxtACSweS</a></div>
— Matt (@PushingFool) <a href="https://twitter.com/PushingFool/status/619893270194331648">July 11, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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I am still pinching myself... I kinda can't believe I did this twice.... 😳😳 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SerenaSlam2?src=hash">#SerenaSlam2</a>.0 <a href="https://t.co/JAtR4uxMJr">https://t.co/JAtR4uxMJr</a></div>
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams/status/621423898710667265">July 15, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><b><span style="font-size: large;">
August 2015:
</span></b></div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
"What is that doing there? Was I supposed to hit that?" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Querrey?src=hash">#Querrey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CincyTennis?src=hash">#CincyTennis</a> <a href="http://t.co/JfvGSd7Ibj">pic.twitter.com/JfvGSd7Ibj</a></div>
— Tennis Inside Out (@TennisInsideOut) <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisInsideOut/status/633433992193277953">August 18, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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When you know you still got it <a href="https://t.co/xjjggHmv34">https://t.co/xjjggHmv34</a></div>
— WTA Reactions (@WTAreactions) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTAreactions/status/634896620858023936">August 22, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><b><span style="font-size: large;">
September 2015:
</span></b></div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
When your splits game is on fleek and you know it. <a href="http://t.co/4l2426AKDM">pic.twitter.com/4l2426AKDM</a></div>
— WTA Reactions (@WTAreactions) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTAreactions/status/639974603541061632">September 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
GIF: Serena Williams "nephew, please..." <a href="http://t.co/75uTVEEJkn">pic.twitter.com/75uTVEEJkn</a></div>
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) <a href="https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/640040222022070272">September 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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It's like the last 15 yrs of tennis never happened, all challengers to the throne have come and gone & these two still reign
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SerenavsVenus?src=hash">#SerenavsVenus</a></div>
— Jonathan Newman (@SportScribeCA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportScribeCA/status/641422335111733248">September 9, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Winner and loser tonight. Sisters forever. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USOpen?src=hash">#USOpen</a> <a href="http://t.co/FrKxZVTKBV">pic.twitter.com/FrKxZVTKBV</a></div>
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tennis_Now/status/641432210898186240">September 9, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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October 2015:
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="und">
💁 <a href="https://t.co/6wjisUAR0f">https://t.co/6wjisUAR0f</a></div>
— WTA Reactions (@WTAreactions) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTAreactions/status/658258819051601921">October 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><b><span style="font-size: large;">
November 2015:
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Rafa checking his watch during Federer's speech. Rafa you're the best! 😂😜😍 <a href="https://t.co/OYQkSUm5Mw">pic.twitter.com/OYQkSUm5Mw</a></div>
— TroubleFault (@troublefault) <a href="https://twitter.com/troublefault/status/660849872799666176">November 1, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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Leaving school on a Friday like <a href="https://t.co/ERyIvAT9Hp">pic.twitter.com/ERyIvAT9Hp</a></div>
— WTA Reactions (@WTAreactions) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTAreactions/status/663307468332756992">November 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">December 2015: </span></b></div>
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When you spot the last free seat on the tube <a href="https://t.co/OMbjdinyVC">pic.twitter.com/OMbjdinyVC</a></div>
— WTA Reactions (@WTAreactions) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTAreactions/status/674236290594942976">December 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
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The 2015 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SISportsperson?src=hash">#SISportsperson</a> of the year is... <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams">@serenawilliams</a>! <a href="https://t.co/Zt4QEIl1MY">https://t.co/Zt4QEIl1MY</a> <a href="https://t.co/MBVZpWgQiV">pic.twitter.com/MBVZpWgQiV</a></div>
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) <a href="https://twitter.com/SInow/status/676390610618687488">December 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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When your mum finds out you've been stealing from the cookie jar <a href="https://t.co/94A90INgyd">pic.twitter.com/94A90INgyd</a></div>
— WTA Reactions (@WTAreactions) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTAreactions/status/677240869787983872">December 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-88757943687346272432015-12-13T09:19:00.001-06:002016-01-24T14:55:47.788-06:00Celebrating my 25th year as a tennis fan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAgY-zrcd7BkIMT0UVG0rj_MLnn9rx3PvVUUGs0R4X04tKZ4x7J4UunoEaBDtnODJmRUaznGDWBCvfTm6KFg_uaSRXQCF23aiA6uJtKwcAEm4XlUVw5aE95OKIXzYpkVs0-gZwEE1jTfM/s1600/IMG_2822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAgY-zrcd7BkIMT0UVG0rj_MLnn9rx3PvVUUGs0R4X04tKZ4x7J4UunoEaBDtnODJmRUaznGDWBCvfTm6KFg_uaSRXQCF23aiA6uJtKwcAEm4XlUVw5aE95OKIXzYpkVs0-gZwEE1jTfM/s320/IMG_2822.JPG" width="320" /></a>1990 was the year I fell in love with professional tennis. I've written about my first tennis faves Monica Seles and Andre Agassi often enough and I still thank them (and Jennifer Capriati) for getting me into this game. The first slam I ever watched was the 1990 French Open...my how time flies.<br />
<br />
The year, I revisited chunks of the past 25 years of tennis fandom by going through old news clippings, tennis tourney programs and memorabilia. Because I didn't live in the US for ages, I really hadn't gone through all my tennis stuff, well, ever. I had no idea how much I'd accumulated.<br />
<br />
A year ago, I <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2014/12/reliving-tennis-history-through-stack.html" target="_blank">converted all my VHS tapes</a> of tennis matches and interviews and have shared many matches and tidbits on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfC0PPuLEPKxko97jxewbQQ" target="_blank">Youtube channel</a>. I've continued to try and upload some items I didn't already see on Youtube, such as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGgrP7KZpa4" target="_blank">Andre Agassi's last match at Wimbledon vs Rafael Nadal from 2006</a>, or the the full, uninterrupted <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIltSNK9d5w" target="_blank">1998 French Open semifinal win by Monica Seles over Martina Hingis</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3cVC9_b3yUqsZcFj48XtlijTkQhfFSPmxpHU7Dukyqwvx2v9aeHR6LykyNB6_eljsz4e1xLHL74aPpF6vXkSPaWO3n55TOrJl8wILHLO11KLTXhXn_lic_o1KEK5t9xrtUm2BglAU3JT/s1600/IMG_2806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3cVC9_b3yUqsZcFj48XtlijTkQhfFSPmxpHU7Dukyqwvx2v9aeHR6LykyNB6_eljsz4e1xLHL74aPpF6vXkSPaWO3n55TOrJl8wILHLO11KLTXhXn_lic_o1KEK5t9xrtUm2BglAU3JT/s320/IMG_2806.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
This year, I continued to organize the many, many tennis items I've accumulated through the last 25 years. I've pared down a bit, donated some items to fellow tennis fans and now have a full on tennis wall and tennis bookshelf housing all my tennis books, <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/07/blast-from-past-1999-tennis-magazine.html" target="_blank">magazines</a> and tennis tournament programs. I have had such fun going through them all and have tweeted so many classic magazine covers, photos, etc. And I uncovered the two tennis scrapbooks I used to keep in the early 90s. What a blast!<br />
<br />
One item I found this year that was incredible was a <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/07/blast-from-past-williams-sisters.html" target="_blank">newsletter published by Venus and Serena</a> back in 1999. My discovery led my friend Ben Rothenberg to <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2015/09/serena_and_venus_williams_the_sisters_used_to_write_their_own_newsletter.html" target="_blank">write an article on it for Slate</a>.<br />
<br />
So 2015 was a great year for this tennis nerd. I attended two new tournaments, started doing a live tennis radio show and in all spent 27 days watching live matches in Indian Wells, Madrid and Cincinnati. This in addition to my continued tennis memorabilia organization project and I think I celebrated my 25th year as a tennis nerd/addict pretty well!<br />
<br />
Here's my breakdown of what my 2015 entailed:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSKikhVVR6Xhi5I4Wz2YW38poHQ7JU4ZICsp6qSjz6qksDy09m6qY0bLRjk_tg1HsNjUuuXPIrDaSPStIbRMSHjjaGucGQNu91l1BxGnDWlGOSbaB8h0TVQTC7LlfOmUUHU3ZI11uXLAv/s1600/PTRN+Logo+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSKikhVVR6Xhi5I4Wz2YW38poHQ7JU4ZICsp6qSjz6qksDy09m6qY0bLRjk_tg1HsNjUuuXPIrDaSPStIbRMSHjjaGucGQNu91l1BxGnDWlGOSbaB8h0TVQTC7LlfOmUUHU3ZI11uXLAv/s200/PTRN+Logo+2.png" width="200" /></a><b>Completing 32 live radio shows on the <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/protenn" target="_blank">Pro Tenn Radio Network</a> </b>- we were all-WTA which was great and so much fun but I had no idea how much work would go into 1-2 hours of a live tennis show. It's a challenge to think on your feet in terms of stats, results, rankings and more so each show took a lot of pre-planning looking up all sorts of facts and figures. But it was really great to be able to talk tennis, especially women's tennis, so in-depth.<br />
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Thanks to my <a href="https://twitter.com/tennisacumen" target="_blank">co-host Pete</a> for a fun year and thanks to everyone who listened, called in and engaged with us on Twitter!<br />
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<b>Watching Serena make her Indian Wells comeback</b> - it took me awhile to try and put into words how amazing it all was. <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/03/serenas-emotional-return-to-indian-wells.html" target="_blank">I tried here</a>. Being there that first night was so emotional and nerve wracking.<br />
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How nervous would Serena be? How supportive would the crowd be? Because I wasn't exactly sitting court side, other than being well aware at how much cheering there was, I couldn't see the emotion on Serena's face when she came on court. But being part of the crowd that night, and hearing the support throughout is by far one of my best tennis memories, ever. The standing ovation was everything.<br />
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<b>Making my debut at Indian Wells</b> - the morning I woke up to the news that Serena was returning to IW was the day I booked my flight there and overall it was wonderful. <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/03/tips-for-enjoying-and-surviving-bnp.html" target="_blank">Here are my tips for attending</a>. I'm sure I'll be back. I had a glorious 9 days onsite and although the heat was rough all in all I can see why players and fans love the BNP Paribas Open.<br />
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<b>First visit to the Madrid Open</b> - Madrid itself is so, so amazing (<a href="https://travelsbysteph.wordpress.com/2015/05/19/spain-madrid/" target="_blank">see my travel blog here</a>) and overall I enjoyed the tournament. I was onsite for the entire tournament and it was memorable in so many ways. Some thoughts <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/05/deconstructing-madrid.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYxLrFT2gLp8gPYxr-B_L2oamerwFMFM0CIUHmF_GxnSgYhXdFXHWQked7DMkPi0u0GaakkHQkvU80ejt2jgoWSd4auYecI3yFygg1RrVnNOM5R6k_BFV7yOP9qihmp8VoufLj5m7Lcuz/s1600/CNH71USWcAASeS7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYxLrFT2gLp8gPYxr-B_L2oamerwFMFM0CIUHmF_GxnSgYhXdFXHWQked7DMkPi0u0GaakkHQkvU80ejt2jgoWSd4auYecI3yFygg1RrVnNOM5R6k_BFV7yOP9qihmp8VoufLj5m7Lcuz/s320/CNH71USWcAASeS7.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Return to Cincinnati </b>- As much as I love attending slams, I felt so satisfied with my time in Cincy that I didn't bother with the US Open this year. Cincy is one of the best combined events, in fact I rate it higher than both IW and Miami for overall fan experience. My thoughts <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/08/thoughts-from-2015-western-and-southern.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<b>Meeting up with many old and new tennis fans </b>I've met through Twitter. I usually attend tournaments alone and that's just fine because I can do what I like. But at every tournament I went to this year, I was able to meet up with so many friends I've met through Tennis Twitter. You're all fab.<br />
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<b>And here are some of my favorite matches I saw live this year:</b><br />
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<b>Yulia Putintseva vs Anastasia Rodionova, Indian Wells</b>. This qualifying match embodied SO much of what I love about the WTA. There was so much drama, a small but very captive audience and many WTA/ATP chair umpires around watching the drama unfold. My friends over at <b>The Tennis Island</b> nicely documented the match and I'm so happy our Twitter coverage of this non-streamed qualifying match is preserved for all time. <a href="http://thetennisisland.com/2015/03/10/tantrum-tweet-ography-putintseva-rodionova-burn-up-the-desert/" target="_blank">A MUST read.</a><br />
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<b style="text-align: center;">Serena vs Vika, Madrid </b><span style="text-align: center;">- I hadn't seen these two play live since the 2013 US Open final. And this was the first match with Sascha Bajin attending a Serena match in another player box (sniff). So much intrigue and this match was full of drama, especially Vika being up triple match point and Serena <a href="http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4695820" target="_blank">winning</a> 7-6 in the third for her 26th straight win.</span><br />
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<b>Chan Sisters vs Flavia Pennetta and Sara Errani, Cincinnati</b>. This was one of the craziest doubles matches I've ever seen live. In the end, the Chan sisters won 6-7 (4) 7-6 (1), 19-17. The Italians had five match points in the supertiebreak. It lasted two hours and 18 minutes. I got in right before the first set tiebreaker and saw the match from there, and oh my goodness it was crazy. I was courtside in the media seats so I got to see all the player expressions and it was the best. The atmosphere was incredible. Such fun!<br />
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<b>Vika vs Maria, Indian Wells</b> - even though this match was a bit of a fizzer, I still loved seeing these two amazing players face off for the first time live. I hope they play more often in 2016. And that we get a more improved Vika in 2016....</div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x3d4k4f" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3d4k4f_indian-wells-2015-3rd-round-highlights-maria-sharapova-vs-victoria-azarenka_sport" target="_blank">Indian Wells 2015 3rd round Highlights Maria...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/cruxsquall" target="_blank">cruxsquall</a></i>
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<b>Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Lucie Safarova, Madrid </b>- this was one of those crazy tennis matches that had so many twists and turns. Sveta served for the first set at 5-4 and then lost three straight games to loser the set. Lucie led 5-2 in the second set TB, and Sveta somehow won the set. Then Lucie was up 5-3 in the second set, had a few match points but in the end Sveta won 5-7, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3). The crowd improved in size as the contest progressed and I loved it all! I would have never picked Sveta to go all the way to the final after she got through this one, and who would have expected Lucie to make the French Open final mere weeks later? </div>
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As always, thanks to everyone for reading this blog, for following and chatting with me on <a href="https://twitter.com/stephintheus" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and in general just being part of this incredible sport! Here's hoping for another incredible year in 2016.<br />
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</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-77146249124122567642015-12-12T10:39:00.000-06:002016-07-17T14:07:08.462-05:00UPDATE: Ranking Serena's 21 slam-winning dresses<span style="font-family: inherit;">After Serena won the 2014 US Open, <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2014/09/fashion-which-of-serenas-18-grand-slam.html" target="_blank">I ranked her 18 slam winning outfits</a>. A year later, she's up to #21 which means that post was woefully out of date. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I LOVED Serena's bright pink and yellow at this year's Australian Open so that got high marks from me, the peach at the French Open was okay but I really did not like the Wimbledon kit at all. In general, Serena straps have to improve next year, and no more cheetah prints! You hear me Nike?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I still miss Serena in Puma. I think Nike has let her down in recent years and I hope they do better in 2016 as she attempts to tie (and pass!) Steffi Graf.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />So here's my update at ranking all of Serena's slam winning outfits. Do you agree? Add in your comments below!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#21 - 2005 Australian Open (Slam #7)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />I do like Serena in yellow, but this Nike kit was weird and I did not love Serena's reddish hair. What was that neck adornment meant to be? It looks like a jockstrap. And is that an apron in the front? What in the world Nike.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#20 - 2009 Wimbledon (Slam #11)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />This was just a boring dress. And the big blazer she wore over it did nothing for her. Dislike.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#19: 2015 Wimbledon (Slam #21)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVOv60_KvyfPnG5Acl-LhWxCh03NpKm5QBj5D_h15H7F5jwCCEPy5x1fOxuUhQbmR-smuSqdbcUHMLhXjmS8nyaIb5qSNUloinpHPTMzpUsqCbgphab0qcqQ_Jzc5BOUaB_Fsa1349VNl/s1600/serena-williams-wimbledon-tournament-2015-quarterfinal_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVOv60_KvyfPnG5Acl-LhWxCh03NpKm5QBj5D_h15H7F5jwCCEPy5x1fOxuUhQbmR-smuSqdbcUHMLhXjmS8nyaIb5qSNUloinpHPTMzpUsqCbgphab0qcqQ_Jzc5BOUaB_Fsa1349VNl/s320/serena-williams-wimbledon-tournament-2015-quarterfinal_1.jpg" width="234" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The straps are killing me softly. The sheer piece at Serena's waist wasn't that flattering at times and no to the cheetah in white. No more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#18 - 2002 Wimbledon (Slam #3)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTzZ2OdBK9kN0eTZjX2h7TZEv6MGysuch4hKL9OSJH1ODEerwhralPeQQ42iy3C5TjxqlMp0FLJz3XB6bKP3cE4piEKp-KGUZ7OKRWgragjHVAM8oKFQHJB9v7yF-ubZrZiH9DRtN0arI/s1600/00818-mainmedimage-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTzZ2OdBK9kN0eTZjX2h7TZEv6MGysuch4hKL9OSJH1ODEerwhralPeQQ42iy3C5TjxqlMp0FLJz3XB6bKP3cE4piEKp-KGUZ7OKRWgragjHVAM8oKFQHJB9v7yF-ubZrZiH9DRtN0arI/s1600/00818-mainmedimage-2.jpg" width="260" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Puma merely changed Serena's black French Open dress to white and I liked it less in white. Also think her roots were a bit overdue so a headband of some kind might have made the outfit less drab.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#17 - 2007 Australian Open (Slam #8)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz961nd_k7WuV6_dh1ufUmFC6-VKc9tAvQDdnG3s2hMdI2gJ1xDAEt2khVAtTonzJcDvoeOTxRwo1RqgCqZsCyppM3s4_k6RBFJcoO4jyKKjsvESqzQiLEBF4MqW-2u9J5hSlgbaAc7jGn/s1600/080702_Serena_AustralianOpen_2007_v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz961nd_k7WuV6_dh1ufUmFC6-VKc9tAvQDdnG3s2hMdI2gJ1xDAEt2khVAtTonzJcDvoeOTxRwo1RqgCqZsCyppM3s4_k6RBFJcoO4jyKKjsvESqzQiLEBF4MqW-2u9J5hSlgbaAc7jGn/s1600/080702_Serena_AustralianOpen_2007_v.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />I know this is one of Serena's best slams but I always hated the lime dress and those huge earrings. The lines on the dress were unnecessary to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#16 - 2013 US Open (Slam #17)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLa6KeEwiX_FilYrI6SN19sNVWZKwpuYWpC9X9tEWBNoXZB3JAd4RRbO5IfKxRxCmXli6ifrxKL6-cQ_ZLn1kWWmDvMLsynl4MNIfH2BbOfIlD890Xo3GiQmO_xF2hSb3sTsbuz1rwZjt/s1600/images-10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLa6KeEwiX_FilYrI6SN19sNVWZKwpuYWpC9X9tEWBNoXZB3JAd4RRbO5IfKxRxCmXli6ifrxKL6-cQ_ZLn1kWWmDvMLsynl4MNIfH2BbOfIlD890Xo3GiQmO_xF2hSb3sTsbuz1rwZjt/s1600/images-10.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Serena's hair and makeup were top-notch at the 2013 US Open, and I love the shade of pink for the top half of Serena's dress but this awful skirt was just...awful. It was so short and flimsy so in the windy Ashe Stadium we saw more of her grey shorts than we did the skirt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#15 - 2009 Australian Open (Slam #10)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcSC1GimCfQh4rH7hp3-r2Oq-ciCZAap7Cp_GdAEQWk9__KacdV4TI0AKgx1HjtLrdiXlYQY-NIW33evcsU1GcQIUjt0Hmum2yDRdaQ1rf2UakHVzXOMqiyMpac0_9tontUNmHSUvUnE0/s1600/090131_Serena_AustralianOpen_2009_v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcSC1GimCfQh4rH7hp3-r2Oq-ciCZAap7Cp_GdAEQWk9__KacdV4TI0AKgx1HjtLrdiXlYQY-NIW33evcsU1GcQIUjt0Hmum2yDRdaQ1rf2UakHVzXOMqiyMpac0_9tontUNmHSUvUnE0/s1600/090131_Serena_AustralianOpen_2009_v.jpg" width="295" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />The blue really popped and I liked the yellow accents. I like Serena so much better with longer hair so looking at this look overall I can't really get into the shorter curls, but loved the heart necklace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#14 - 2010 Australian Open (Slam #12)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7F_D__7j58UP8qE6h4WMBk7GATcgeU0QMjYTfPHoAfqJoSq5dXFQlQi1aljUVb5a_QbJn62Ms_rmz9HlrrThK3GdPduDr30teIKtfH5zG9bM2ddc9mdB2aA1Yvm4Prq9FbbrIcYg2FBAO/s1600/images-8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7F_D__7j58UP8qE6h4WMBk7GATcgeU0QMjYTfPHoAfqJoSq5dXFQlQi1aljUVb5a_QbJn62Ms_rmz9HlrrThK3GdPduDr30teIKtfH5zG9bM2ddc9mdB2aA1Yvm4Prq9FbbrIcYg2FBAO/s1600/images-8.jpeg" width="275" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />It's funny to look back to this pic, which is less than 5 years ago, and notice that Serena is so much fitter than she was before her health scares. I liked the gold color of this dress tho and thought it simple but nice. It helps that she wore this dress while ending the comeback hopes of Henin. Good times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#13 - French Open 2003 (Slam #2)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TlY6C2QPmUR_Aj-LHTUi9SvZVvelXG_cyktQkzgsmxU93GUYCJIaVviunG6-EuUONRJ3PKdBOtMha35eMacCRfDn1fI_nzq0mWtyFleP_TYlsw1y1C-uZtxz6H5apas23EMQevONKAVK/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TlY6C2QPmUR_Aj-LHTUi9SvZVvelXG_cyktQkzgsmxU93GUYCJIaVviunG6-EuUONRJ3PKdBOtMha35eMacCRfDn1fI_nzq0mWtyFleP_TYlsw1y1C-uZtxz6H5apas23EMQevONKAVK/s1600/images.jpeg" width="257" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We just don't see Serena in black enough but I always loved this black and gold Puma dress. Still didn't care for her hair but this dress was fantastic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#12 - French Open 2015 (Slam #20)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvivrG4GEJQpeJItbNbO1AmYAVzMelf_uAvUuDXu2s9SRnolJD4bPFTXxp_nPMeXQfxjZclYTsV47qElpbOsg8ix7-m3_vr4DwylwSvbe6jF6-yN1Wg8Mis5Glg1VyDWsJJYGMH2pnpfZ/s1600/635690434509551301-USP-TENNIS-FRENCH-OPEN-S-73538349.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvivrG4GEJQpeJItbNbO1AmYAVzMelf_uAvUuDXu2s9SRnolJD4bPFTXxp_nPMeXQfxjZclYTsV47qElpbOsg8ix7-m3_vr4DwylwSvbe6jF6-yN1Wg8Mis5Glg1VyDWsJJYGMH2pnpfZ/s400/635690434509551301-USP-TENNIS-FRENCH-OPEN-S-73538349.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Loved the colors, but that cheetah pattern has got to go. I really like the brightness tho and thought it looked great against the orange clay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#11 - 2003 Wimbledon (Slam #6)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINOdQmk0fz06mQna43R8ngkha9HgbvhDJyzZvX9_mairy_AOBT7e3MetX-mTDYn92FiEBkZ9rUmOexUnXm2ibVYk_j8n3eQfJy3VxW4xUfxMM344nxR_gEULNuDwpJu5PJHMrUidRT6Gl/s1600/serena2003wim.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINOdQmk0fz06mQna43R8ngkha9HgbvhDJyzZvX9_mairy_AOBT7e3MetX-mTDYn92FiEBkZ9rUmOexUnXm2ibVYk_j8n3eQfJy3VxW4xUfxMM344nxR_gEULNuDwpJu5PJHMrUidRT6Gl/s1600/serena2003wim.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Puma didn't mix things up much for Serena for Wimbledon, as this outfit wasn't far off from her 2003 Australian Open attire. But that color combo still worked great and I loved the belt. The hoop earrings were big but complemented the outfit well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /><b>#10 - 2014 US Open (Slam #18)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW75a30qkveBudEPpczX5q9uUWVkgkMut86l_teFT5sjcp28kdTR_DC0u3j1HuueOpKCtasPPtdUf4rSvqiVgW8lODZ8Go4-Y1wXbYh2zszcdeCF-cjsr1OrqjoukLvKuC0x0EDQB8YRx/s1600/serena_williams1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW75a30qkveBudEPpczX5q9uUWVkgkMut86l_teFT5sjcp28kdTR_DC0u3j1HuueOpKCtasPPtdUf4rSvqiVgW8lODZ8Go4-Y1wXbYh2zszcdeCF-cjsr1OrqjoukLvKuC0x0EDQB8YRx/s1600/serena_williams1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br />This leopard print dress grew on me, but definitely liked it better in the white she won her 18th slam in. The pink accessories were perfect (need to find me some of those wristbands). I'd be happy if she changed her hair as the frizzy blonde is the only thing I didn't like about her most recent slam look.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#9 - 2008 US Open (Slam #9)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrg-t4JXZCRqjdmr4liELZmPDPkXAfbwX8gghOVk07Mp5H0H9_6A_LqH1RI-v_0y4LrtyuRGJZX0ztlqwvlNHGhyRu5R0MGNnvPyIw0zaGg9_bhNs-TfeJr2_XKAVfPihBJ-D8BcZpYEA/s1600/080911_Serena_USOpen_2008_v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrg-t4JXZCRqjdmr4liELZmPDPkXAfbwX8gghOVk07Mp5H0H9_6A_LqH1RI-v_0y4LrtyuRGJZX0ztlqwvlNHGhyRu5R0MGNnvPyIw0zaGg9_bhNs-TfeJr2_XKAVfPihBJ-D8BcZpYEA/s1600/080911_Serena_USOpen_2008_v.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br />Serena in red. This shade of red just popped and just seeing it reminds me of the sheer joy when Serena beat Jankovic to win this title. I wish the headband wasn't quite so thick but otherwise this was a winner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#8 - 1999 US Open (Slam #1)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />The only Serena slam with beads. I loved this Puma dress - the light yellow, the length of the dress was gre</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">at. I though</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t the big gold necklace was a bit much but overall this was a great look for the 17-year old.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#7 - Australian Open 2015 (Slam #19)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU12qC086TyFb-IgSB0Kz7xHD5ALLgZhGObVZhXmlk_ewcma7tC2kKNz1oknebDu-KwSE7xySWPLW9SEaQI59kKqEPKqcFcQXQzBq90a9FzExFNrFFh5u5Xzv_nzaopr59X5DCQ_n1d9tb/s1600/B8qwi1-CYAI9xmG.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU12qC086TyFb-IgSB0Kz7xHD5ALLgZhGObVZhXmlk_ewcma7tC2kKNz1oknebDu-KwSE7xySWPLW9SEaQI59kKqEPKqcFcQXQzBq90a9FzExFNrFFh5u5Xzv_nzaopr59X5DCQ_n1d9tb/s400/B8qwi1-CYAI9xmG.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The colors here are amazing. Love the brightness and her hair looked fantastic. The straps were still a bit of an issue, but overall this was a win.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#6 - Wimbledon 2012 (Slam #14)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgbHh_H109hgbObVqKQBXS5AN2ETrFflgZgGPFLLq3Wj-7-qdaBgECXkSgRQpa78gMnlx3ZFX7H-ovinqJRLRhbOKMDOrWfiKr0BK0KsODk5Zr6ziv2GL_TMUdUeMRcASUE0TGrgdOFBr/s1600/images-12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgbHh_H109hgbObVqKQBXS5AN2ETrFflgZgGPFLLq3Wj-7-qdaBgECXkSgRQpa78gMnlx3ZFX7H-ovinqJRLRhbOKMDOrWfiKr0BK0KsODk5Zr6ziv2GL_TMUdUeMRcASUE0TGrgdOFBr/s1600/images-12.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I loved the purple accessories and thought this was her second-best Wimbledon look. The v-neck cut was cute and again just loved the 2012 summer hair Serena was rocking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#5 - 2013 US Open (Slam #15)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHAfKcjlp2StyyfPr5_F_S3IxsS-TCIP0JFi2loAesq2H7rkAdMuGuwId1RG3PAFDLqfKZOCXazULjCxwcS0TdNnFw92bhFHYuHRAtDFDlPucWhtM_VblEWsBxq8IT0j1Y1xc1fMQ-XER/s1600/images-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHAfKcjlp2StyyfPr5_F_S3IxsS-TCIP0JFi2loAesq2H7rkAdMuGuwId1RG3PAFDLqfKZOCXazULjCxwcS0TdNnFw92bhFHYuHRAtDFDlPucWhtM_VblEWsBxq8IT0j1Y1xc1fMQ-XER/s1600/images-6.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />This was great dress, and she wore a pink version for the day matches but I liked this better. The dark blue and yellow went great together and I loved the big hair she was rocking in 2012.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#4- 2002 US Open (Slam #4)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstBO8i30KILmZ-zbqfMOPeWw8VxZuW7NhBEL6HB42kfPA4jOxNhhHgRF8fqULnntQbkErU46CdR_cfoTCLjjwDjdqKp15sO67a9eQLmxSu_JVRejUSor7E4JREo_xVc3RswhRbtg45xkP/s1600/080702_Serena_USOpen_2002_v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstBO8i30KILmZ-zbqfMOPeWw8VxZuW7NhBEL6HB42kfPA4jOxNhhHgRF8fqULnntQbkErU46CdR_cfoTCLjjwDjdqKp15sO67a9eQLmxSu_JVRejUSor7E4JREo_xVc3RswhRbtg45xkP/s1600/080702_Serena_USOpen_2002_v.jpg" width="243" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />The Catsuit. Puma you are so missed. This was actually my first live Serena - and wow. What can you say about this outfit? It was AMAZING. Loved the light link headband which is in this pic is hiding Serena's long blonde locks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#3 - 2003 Australian Open (Slam #5)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7q5S-tgHco9v_RWWBdm8uSpkf06xD9RdfpB4XF2r94PnXM43ruRFrTR-lUUcSbYonrv9VlQzFZTVI7SU9CR8Pi30w4M4ZZRT0cWFjyinBkINtPbdRXK2A0YBsvkqBHgfzKHqw2YrVfKW/s1600/images-11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7q5S-tgHco9v_RWWBdm8uSpkf06xD9RdfpB4XF2r94PnXM43ruRFrTR-lUUcSbYonrv9VlQzFZTVI7SU9CR8Pi30w4M4ZZRT0cWFjyinBkINtPbdRXK2A0YBsvkqBHgfzKHqw2YrVfKW/s1600/images-11.jpeg" width="305" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />I loved the bright orange and white Puma had for Serena in Melbourne when she achieved the Serena Slam. Her jewelry was simple and I thought her hair with the white headband kept the whole look very clean. The glittery strap was a great touch and loved the orange belt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#2 - 2013 French Open (Slam #16)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVsul-MoGZodDC5YO0McCcgbJAdEX4tfyPkbQlQIOF0hV0jM-pfROMFj_vtlvRiJZZDH0DNph_M2hlrJRkZOzWT0tPm49ZBEFCHtK1BEKupuI-hKptmGKKc428sahfFDGN1Qsx7JDiOWS/s1600/ser1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVsul-MoGZodDC5YO0McCcgbJAdEX4tfyPkbQlQIOF0hV0jM-pfROMFj_vtlvRiJZZDH0DNph_M2hlrJRkZOzWT0tPm49ZBEFCHtK1BEKupuI-hKptmGKKc428sahfFDGN1Qsx7JDiOWS/s1600/ser1.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Who would have thought navy blue and a tangerine orange would look so good? This was such a great "Sweet 16" dress for Serena. And the hair was rocking!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>#1 - 2010 Wimbledon (Slam #13)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5GmgSyPvpaAF8KD2k-r6mkdN014WaG9nUhT188KnS7ZneV9kbZW83C8eWavhznm1cX_62bWDumy3bzWz_8Bdgc9rfSyl5DYsfcMGn-zR8l7G7bLQcbeUW4h4_mI0_FasCx5JN1cZ9Jsl/s1600/Serena+Williams+Championships+Wimbledon+2010+R0RSByLFhZMl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5GmgSyPvpaAF8KD2k-r6mkdN014WaG9nUhT188KnS7ZneV9kbZW83C8eWavhznm1cX_62bWDumy3bzWz_8Bdgc9rfSyl5DYsfcMGn-zR8l7G7bLQcbeUW4h4_mI0_FasCx5JN1cZ9Jsl/s1600/Serena+Williams+Championships+Wimbledon+2010+R0RSByLFhZMl.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />My top dress is Serena's best Wimbledon look ever for me, and she coined this outfit "strawberries and cream." I loved the cute ruffles around the skirt and her hair looked great with the tiny headband keeping her naturally darker hair in place. Just loved this and even didn't hate the little warm-up jacket she wore over it. She even rocked red shorts under the dress. Perfection.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />So what's your vote? What is Serena's best and worst Grand Slam winning outfits?</span><br />
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Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-43455555329869198192015-08-26T19:37:00.001-05:002016-09-09T16:47:18.482-05:00Thoughts from the 2015 Western and Southern Open<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After my second visit to the <a href="http://www.wsopen.com/" target="_blank">Western & Southern Open</a> last week, my opinion is reaffirmed that Cincy is my personal favorite of all the combined WTA/ATP events (in the US anyway).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhyphenhyphenIPn9E2ZxQZdXF0v4BobbnSuZ5VBXK-JWvTg9jV_hdAA-n7prPUeI9itpW19EDxNu8QvAwMPFj3fDipblqPhF75vP_59yeUG_-_CPFl1btLyHtvLslChJHg4l6A8Eo5SGf9ieGrk9Y8/s1600/IMG_5224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhyphenhyphenIPn9E2ZxQZdXF0v4BobbnSuZ5VBXK-JWvTg9jV_hdAA-n7prPUeI9itpW19EDxNu8QvAwMPFj3fDipblqPhF75vP_59yeUG_-_CPFl1btLyHtvLslChJHg4l6A8Eo5SGf9ieGrk9Y8/s400/IMG_5224.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packed stadium on finals day 2015</td></tr>
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I first headed to Mason, Ohio <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2012/08/monday-at-western-and-southern-open.html" target="_blank">in 2012</a> and at the time I hadn't been to quite as many tennis tournaments as I have now. Since then I've attended joint events in Indian Wells, Miami and Madrid and I definitely feel that Cincy trumps them all for the tennis fan experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPEgyQ3NBazo3PqfS6jV8jq3h3PEW73b8Bzl8Z4go0Yc2gmv6FgI337N26uWCMK9q5iO7_vZ3C0Uw8fT6SUnMeCMcjLtl9xGMu46Tuwoxp4eKH5rztt3yrcqth7oRJ6fD8_EaWiNL03nO/s1600/IMG_4358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPEgyQ3NBazo3PqfS6jV8jq3h3PEW73b8Bzl8Z4go0Yc2gmv6FgI337N26uWCMK9q5iO7_vZ3C0Uw8fT6SUnMeCMcjLtl9xGMu46Tuwoxp4eKH5rztt3yrcqth7oRJ6fD8_EaWiNL03nO/s320/IMG_4358.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madison Keys</td></tr>
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So why is Mason, Ohio of all places home to one of the best tennis tourneys to me? For starters, you essentially get a US Open summer hard court experience much cheaper, with better player access and a lot less hassles getting in and out of the site.<br />
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Obviously attending a live tennis tournament provides many experiences: the chance to witness great tennis being played live, chat with other tennis fans, watch players practice and get player autographs. And I believe that Cincy provides one of the best venues for doing all that without paying a fortune to stay near Indian Wells or NYC.<br />
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Here's a few notes on why Cincy is so fantastic:<br />
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<b>Tickets:</b><br />
Packages to Cincy are well priced even if you won't be at the event every day. Back in 2012 we paid about $700 per person for the front row of the upper section of Center Court and in speaking with a few friends who went this year that's still a good estimate for mid-level seats. For 9 days of tennis that is a very good deal considering you can access all courts with a package. (I recommend selling any tickets you can't use on Stubhub). I don't think there's a bad seat in the main stadium in Cincy so you won't have to watch on the big screen to see who won points.<br />
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<b>Courts:</b><br />
I don't think there's a bad court onsite in Cincy. My personal favorite is Court 9, and that's the consensus of most fans I spoke with who've attended the event. I also like Grandstand although the speaker noises from the main stadium were really loud this year (many players complained actually). The grounds aren't overwhelmingly big so it doesn't take too long to get from one end to the other. I love that there are two main stadiums plus Courts 3 and 9 that can handle a decent-size crowd.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijodbGz1Veu1uRSMUFvsnQH3fX8_kMuGzo1svnC2UMNcLmIBW_1WmFEqg-8jkPJSsM9xWVxGMJxRM3gln3yLlJ4D54ve6f2wdUpeVwcVnlm5XTxSSbEIJ-SKSqhUOp-IqGj8sKkGzb9r3l/s1600/IMG_5124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijodbGz1Veu1uRSMUFvsnQH3fX8_kMuGzo1svnC2UMNcLmIBW_1WmFEqg-8jkPJSsM9xWVxGMJxRM3gln3yLlJ4D54ve6f2wdUpeVwcVnlm5XTxSSbEIJ-SKSqhUOp-IqGj8sKkGzb9r3l/s400/IMG_5124.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Court 9, I love thee</td></tr>
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<b>Player practices:</b><br />
Practice courts at Cincy are fantastic. There's really only one court (#14) where you can't see as well due to a fence but it's not like it's blocked off or anything (Serena only practiced here, and Sharapova here too before she w/d). In general, there's plenty of seating at all the practice courts and the tournaments has a schedule on both the app and website, as well as along the grounds. I am not much of a practice fan in general just because they can be boring and I'd rather watch matches, but I usually do a loop around the grounds to take a few pics and see which players hit with each other. But for fans who don't attend many tourneys, it's a great way to really see players up close. I went to one of Serena's practices and enjoyed hearing fans' excitement as she was driven up to the court. If you want to see the big names practice, you'll want to get to their assigned court early (and be warned practice schedules can and do change).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHLSSrLtZre0QQUkN4WizIkF38iGvNVSvTKK-KEzLPOpI4DMcYU8tmCEnYRGs_yXSQFivvpLU3L70PqL5K147n2wPSoTCyYTqXEDH3JQ2Cw5ixJZ3FGdk-AYZMgFG-SIuoRCgQwpDcyp8/s1600/IMG_4608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHLSSrLtZre0QQUkN4WizIkF38iGvNVSvTKK-KEzLPOpI4DMcYU8tmCEnYRGs_yXSQFivvpLU3L70PqL5K147n2wPSoTCyYTqXEDH3JQ2Cw5ixJZ3FGdk-AYZMgFG-SIuoRCgQwpDcyp8/s320/IMG_4608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena practice in Cincy</td></tr>
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<b>Venue access:</b><br />
I'll admit I've had very good parking passes both years I've attended Cincy (media this year, and I travelled w/my mom in 2012 and she has a handicap sticker) but having driven by all the parking areas I believe it's much easier to get to the site versus many other tournaments. But not only is parking easier, you're driving in Mason, Ohio, not a big city so traffic to/from the site is pretty tame (of course like any big event if you leave right when a big match is over you'll be stuck leaving). I stayed about 15 minutes' drive from the site and it was so easy to get to the media parking every day. It's so much nicer to arrive at a tennis tournament w/o the hassles of public transport of traffic jams (I see you Key Biscayne) to put you in a mood.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1pLMRZTTo0BXuupRrjQjUz_JS_7w9AxT1cSo7ZYQLnwWAJDnUxJfLjSDGoRnv2PP6VSNTiNaaEtCPNi4VjZs0O7PzRhHiEEWLPUQdISplJQ28ZiThreOCy_YemEUeSCoGaftpswufCkH/s1600/IMG_3953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1pLMRZTTo0BXuupRrjQjUz_JS_7w9AxT1cSo7ZYQLnwWAJDnUxJfLjSDGoRnv2PP6VSNTiNaaEtCPNi4VjZs0O7PzRhHiEEWLPUQdISplJQ28ZiThreOCy_YemEUeSCoGaftpswufCkH/s400/IMG_3953.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafael Nadal</td></tr>
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<b>Player entrance:</b><br />
I can't think of another tournament that makes it so easy for fans to see their fave players coming and going onsite. The player entrance at Cincy is fantastic - a fence separates fans from the pathway (though you can walk through it unless they block it off for the big names). Every day fans wait to get photos, autographs and selfies with the players. It's SUCH a great set-up for fans.<br />
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<b>Highlights:</b><br />
For me this year, a few things stood out that helped make my 9 days in Cincy such a great experience:<br />
<ul>
<li>Meeting Tennis Twitter family members - it's always fun to reconnect w/friends I've made via Twitter and this year was no different. I also got a chance to meet many new fans and tennis writers I hadn't met before. Whether it was watching matches together or hanging out at Applebees I really enjoyed spending time with Tennis Twitter. So thanks to all you fun tweeps I got to chat with this year!</li>
<li>Doing my <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/protenn/2015/08/21/steph-pete-live-from-cincinnati-on-quarterfinals-day" target="_blank">live radio show</a> with co-cost <a href="https://twitter.com/tennisacumen" target="_blank">Pete</a> in person together onsite in Cincy. Pete and I started our WTA Passing Shots show earlier this year and we've never been in the same room together doing the show. So this was great - we nicely got to use one of the smaller interview rooms and it was great to share our insights on the first few days of the event. Check us out <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/protenn" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
<li>Speaking of live podcasts, I loved being part of the "NCR Live" event with <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB8QFjAAahUKEwiN65C__cfHAhVLCJIKHS1zDB4&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnochallengesremaining.podbean.com%2F&ei=RVbeVc20F8uQyASt5rHwAQ&usg=AFQjCNGrEwgWjHBnEJ7Cs7Hup9RwXE_ZPA&sig2=oHAaJlwlWjnBb1H4lIhhnw" target="_blank">No Challenges Remaining</a> team. Courtney and Ben did a great job securing a spot and special guest Victoria Azarenka and it was fun to be part of their live podcast. I've listened to NCR since its beginnings and think Courtney and Ben do a great job so that was a fun experience.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxmEGyMbZnyTJYbc63SDW3g-z2QLKj820byjc_qnSQo1zziYNopjBvr6OnYN_EnDEwmC_a3MOb2LyLN45iE04h0P77V3CQTXbAyIPLNa9OrzSgTL4Q0LBAzxJIz9JVfJgR-2hLUozLd7x/s1600/CMuGrbXUcAAewln-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxmEGyMbZnyTJYbc63SDW3g-z2QLKj820byjc_qnSQo1zziYNopjBvr6OnYN_EnDEwmC_a3MOb2LyLN45iE04h0P77V3CQTXbAyIPLNa9OrzSgTL4Q0LBAzxJIz9JVfJgR-2hLUozLd7x/s400/CMuGrbXUcAAewln-2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vika arriving to NCRLive!</td></tr>
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<b>My favorite matches:</b></div>
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Besides the finals, which were both compelling for different reasons, here are some of the matches I most enjoyed this year in Cincy:</div>
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<ul>
<li><b>Simona Halep vs Andrea Petkovic</b> - I had a feeling this match would be good and it was. Great all-court tennis between two fantastic athletes. The rallies were fantastic and left me breathless! Petko's blister issues in the third set led to her to be broken at love and she never recovered. What a battle.</li>
<li><b>Serena Willliams vs Ana Ivanovic</b> - these two find ways to play great, close matches and this one wasn't always the best quality but it had all the drama and a very lively crowd. FUN.</li>
<li><b>Hao-Ching Chan/Yung-Jan Chan vs Flavia Pennetta/Sara Errani </b>- I got into this match after the first set and it was just a normal, entertaining doubles match until things got crazy in the match tiebreak. The match ended with the Chan sisters winning 19-17 after both teams had many match points. The Stadium 3 atmosphere was electric! Loved it!</li>
</ul>
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<b>Buzzkill matches:</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsl8sEUug2pogAh4yoPsewdoVtU_v75H15m1CRqK4OZklViU7iqJlTUmx9uLWmj37aUEreLks455xHIAxD347gYBMcGB-MPKgAuMEPMc6JUvi5USQiDXa8R3JTDDvYim6zxd1qYv9Kn6v/s1600/IMG_4344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsl8sEUug2pogAh4yoPsewdoVtU_v75H15m1CRqK4OZklViU7iqJlTUmx9uLWmj37aUEreLks455xHIAxD347gYBMcGB-MPKgAuMEPMc6JUvi5USQiDXa8R3JTDDvYim6zxd1qYv9Kn6v/s320/IMG_4344.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jelena Jankovic</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><b>Simona Halep/Jelena Jankovic </b>- the repeat of the Indian Wells final was bad. I was really expecting a close match but it was so one-sided. JJ looked gassed and Halep just seemed to be flying around the court. Bummer.</li>
<li><b>Victoria Azarenka/Caroline Wozniacki</b> - these two should just not meet. For the fourth time in 2015, Vika handed Woz a straight-set win and this one included a bagel set. Woz looked nothing like the top 5 player who made the US Open final last year. Yikes.</li>
<li><b>Venus Williams/Ana Ivanovic </b>- well, of course this match didn't happen due to Venus w/d due to a viral illness. What a shame because their match ups always make me remember Venus' headsnap:</li>
</ul>
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This one? <a href="https://twitter.com/StephintheUS">@stephintheUS</a> <a href="http://t.co/z7MhejwIGm">pic.twitter.com/z7MhejwIGm</a></div>
— Tennis Updates (@tennis_updates) <a href="https://twitter.com/tennis_updates/status/495050762544631808">August 1, 2014</a></blockquote>
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So thanks to all of you who followed my <a href="https://twitter.com/StephintheUS" target="_blank">tweets</a> from Cincy, and if you have any questions on attending the Western and Southern Open just ask!<br />
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-58006069891652887932015-07-30T19:04:00.003-05:002015-07-31T10:40:51.823-05:00Blast from the past: GIRL POWER This Tennis magazine cover from November 1999 is by far one of my favorites ever. I mean, look at these ladies - Seles, Davenport and Hingis. Plus Stevenson (who was a thing back then after her run to the 1999 Wimbledon semifinals). The clothes, the poses, the headline.<br />
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<b>GIRL POWER.</b><br />
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The late 90s and early 2000s on the WTA are amongst my favorite tennis years ever. The article itself is pretty amazing too so I scanned it in to share. Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-19729948221953757682015-07-30T11:31:00.000-05:002015-07-31T10:41:03.657-05:00Blast from the past: Williams Sisters newsletter circa 1999Back in 1999, a pair of sisters who'd not yet won a slam decided no one was covering the sport in the way they thought it deserved, so the 'Tennis Monthly Recap" newsletter was born.<br />
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Venus and Serena Williams wanted more positive coverage of the game, off-court news and of course player interviews, so they wrote, published and distributed the newsletter. I believe it all started at the Aussie Open in 1999 where they handed out copies of the newsletter.<br />
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Naturally, this tennis addict subscribed and must have had a few issues sent by mail. Seriously, they paid for postage of this newsletter - it was a free subscription!<br />
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Last night while sorting through 25 years' worth of Tennis Magazine, Sports Illustrated and many newspaper clippings documenting my tennis addiction I found an issue of TMR. I've been tweeting lots of pics on my Twitter account <a href="https://twitter.com/StephintheUS" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">here</a> and there's so much more to come as I sort through some amazing tennis memorabilia.<br />
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I wish I could find more issues of Tennis Monthly Recap, but here's the March 1, 1999 issue which includes an interview with Tommy Haas and news that Patty Schnyder had joined up with Rainer Harnecker (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/14/sports/on-tennis-schnyder-s-links-to-guru-cause-alarm.html" target="_blank">Mr OJ to those of you who remember</a>). My favorite part was "What's the 411?" when the lead item was that Serena won her first title in Paris on the same day Venus won Oklahoma City. I can't imagine what the locker room thought of this newsletter.<br />
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So, here's a scan of the 4-page newsletter. Enjoy! I sure hope I unbury another issue as this is amazing.<br />
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<br />Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-73727235888726518802015-05-13T08:45:00.001-05:002015-07-31T10:39:52.332-05:00Madrid in photosHola!<br />
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I've safely returned from 11 days in Madrid and have jumped right into watching Rome. We tennis fans don't really get much down time eh?<br />
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Madrid was amazing. The city itself is just incredibly beautiful and I loved the tournament. I shared a lot of pics on my <a href="https://instagram.com/stephintheus/" target="_blank">Instagram account</a>, and I'll be writing a post on my <a href="https://travelsbysteph.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">travel blog</a> soon.<br />
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I wrote some posts for <a href="http://www.changeovertennis.com/" target="_blank">The Changeover</a> - thanks guys for the opportunity!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><a href="http://www.changeovertennis.com/final-thoughts-on-the-mutua-madrid-open/" target="_blank">Final thoughts on the Mutua Madrid Open</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><a href="http://www.changeovertennis.com/super-wednesday-in-madrid/" target="_blank">Super Wednesday in Madrid</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><a href="http://www.changeovertennis.com/cornets-festival-of-missed-opportunities-in-madrid/" target="_blank">Cornet’s ‘festival of missed opportunities’ in Madrid </a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><a href="http://www.changeovertennis.com/thoughts-on-saturdays-action-in-madrid/" target="_blank">Thoughts on Saturday’s action in Madrid</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><a href="http://www.changeovertennis.com/hola-from-the-mutua-madrid-open/" target="_blank">Hola from the Mutua Madrid Open</a></span><br />
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Just a few pics from my time at the tourney - hit me up with questions if you're interested in going!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tournament program</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manolo Santana stadium</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walkway to the backcourts - quiet before gates opened</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipipOix03dTXAZ4ON6vypRottKtEwwfdoKzy2d-_MPcQ83pgqGA01fznpBYblLNXpUazoV_6jf3yNo1tBldoQFKE0YoxzbWo-GBOinyz30PqGO4PY2nDGVo9BkGEf5ddkY4T23RBK49Wf8/s1600/IMG_9412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipipOix03dTXAZ4ON6vypRottKtEwwfdoKzy2d-_MPcQ83pgqGA01fznpBYblLNXpUazoV_6jf3yNo1tBldoQFKE0YoxzbWo-GBOinyz30PqGO4PY2nDGVo9BkGEf5ddkY4T23RBK49Wf8/s400/IMG_9412.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Magic Box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithhPqiCOdTev5yOhy0ElpeFuNOp46B853SybTFam4N0CiCbxI7IHAthbTJyAiO-qHUF7mcnwtHadq2vJtm_OHIJjwS4uuTE15XI0GyIy3EpojV-7-R1XXKjVLfDi044r_Z8IFQAwQhjmV/s1600/IMG_9486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithhPqiCOdTev5yOhy0ElpeFuNOp46B853SybTFam4N0CiCbxI7IHAthbTJyAiO-qHUF7mcnwtHadq2vJtm_OHIJjwS4uuTE15XI0GyIy3EpojV-7-R1XXKjVLfDi044r_Z8IFQAwQhjmV/s400/IMG_9486.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back court action during week one</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HW9VipOvKK2j5D5fW__qgxm3B4FuFKbBjziDtdUeVCnS6mgkpivRHLduMHYEmpxSUocBEqS6XZYaf3CESFi7cvfRBvhgnsXUjcbVaV2TbbWg5KwdeWlLu-oTl4ZQWj2XLVpFR9or-oLq/s1600/IMG_9673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HW9VipOvKK2j5D5fW__qgxm3B4FuFKbBjziDtdUeVCnS6mgkpivRHLduMHYEmpxSUocBEqS6XZYaf3CESFi7cvfRBvhgnsXUjcbVaV2TbbWg5KwdeWlLu-oTl4ZQWj2XLVpFR9or-oLq/s400/IMG_9673.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venus Williams made her first appearance here in a few years</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljA3lpHdhQpO3IKUqg-hGEYVy7kKjJl1SqC6r47rRNs4qFgpRXC4NSjJPpDs8YQNV3ydWh83NN8N6yU5eUMgrst3DhekGYd2oy7fYZu6rGyeNotN-6YDuk5Pr9_7ojRGfytoY8wknPqBU/s1600/IMG_9762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljA3lpHdhQpO3IKUqg-hGEYVy7kKjJl1SqC6r47rRNs4qFgpRXC4NSjJPpDs8YQNV3ydWh83NN8N6yU5eUMgrst3DhekGYd2oy7fYZu6rGyeNotN-6YDuk5Pr9_7ojRGfytoY8wknPqBU/s400/IMG_9762.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from outside the main entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGNqo-AB6UkQLSRh4la6zhctnThUGtDDuGNsQRFifEbzO4DH6_pi7PaOLnQxabDmSA6pHhH_I0t5EjnMMQacva0l9KD2Vu9U-ZyegbBKjpknWb28ZyZ-Fc0g28DfZzRY5qIM9Yh_voBuu/s1600/IMG_9785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGNqo-AB6UkQLSRh4la6zhctnThUGtDDuGNsQRFifEbzO4DH6_pi7PaOLnQxabDmSA6pHhH_I0t5EjnMMQacva0l9KD2Vu9U-ZyegbBKjpknWb28ZyZ-Fc0g28DfZzRY5qIM9Yh_voBuu/s400/IMG_9785.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Video game area always full of kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu2_QjgoZhdW3haHLwmgieumOrvWL217FPWx_I3B2Anxe2MNK32Zp4vBwF0Ul9uTuzt94v0oBW4ZsTpPO0lL0U1FOoxvKVsvWWjlAutEcwo7E3S1DBs4DblMDoWbjkMWu7diasaEUDgrO/s1600/IMG_9824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu2_QjgoZhdW3haHLwmgieumOrvWL217FPWx_I3B2Anxe2MNK32Zp4vBwF0Ul9uTuzt94v0oBW4ZsTpPO0lL0U1FOoxvKVsvWWjlAutEcwo7E3S1DBs4DblMDoWbjkMWu7diasaEUDgrO/s400/IMG_9824.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fans wait for players to arrive or walk past after practice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzN3yvCTIGWOH9cYztTkdakNPhai9Z5BfyV70WNXFOuB8K49wB37Wqu-rlELP6B1DcDQcmRhePBWeS4wxzA1pm_4n3kHj13NH01OZXxSa0iCRlj0qIbM_-rovWZzoKcZrN3HybMxWp30K5/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzN3yvCTIGWOH9cYztTkdakNPhai9Z5BfyV70WNXFOuB8K49wB37Wqu-rlELP6B1DcDQcmRhePBWeS4wxzA1pm_4n3kHj13NH01OZXxSa0iCRlj0qIbM_-rovWZzoKcZrN3HybMxWp30K5/s400/IMG_0003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exiting the site at night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqBq3rmNfbykt9Hee_u6BqFGKVe1jL3au33lndAptwU_bakIreioOu_jxuCQ8rXTX3DTRzbRMoKZwlbJIKDXPoBkc5LtAseJ3SPc8zHrgBpi8lMcqjxIyV9DPVg_0jt8KkOrk9s3l_6P6/s1600/IMG_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqBq3rmNfbykt9Hee_u6BqFGKVe1jL3au33lndAptwU_bakIreioOu_jxuCQ8rXTX3DTRzbRMoKZwlbJIKDXPoBkc5LtAseJ3SPc8zHrgBpi8lMcqjxIyV9DPVg_0jt8KkOrk9s3l_6P6/s400/IMG_0372.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only time the stadium was full was during Rafa's matches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptJn0BspKyZzLFCndEXJHlUczduOT0HyPzMQkktz1vc4oUCKxD6yRXUIz1Gk9kBIcjjEYZoKrOj2qC8rj03FmNU3G3MtMusbXVF4PKfyqcihDBfA7zJOAZXP5R_40eFvHiSgjYlJUY_MB/s1600/IMG_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptJn0BspKyZzLFCndEXJHlUczduOT0HyPzMQkktz1vc4oUCKxD6yRXUIz1Gk9kBIcjjEYZoKrOj2qC8rj03FmNU3G3MtMusbXVF4PKfyqcihDBfA7zJOAZXP5R_40eFvHiSgjYlJUY_MB/s400/IMG_0384.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Social media wall - also showed pressers/matches on occasion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav4J57m3fP-XVC6IfFqCrzFF2pg7lco-FmODsSG1RrLoWzF6mYNYGtxZf9OIpq1g6mhJXrYh-QY1Rp7fN0SExw3h0MovjIhqVCrgwXOhJSeOQzcwDe_3TCzE5wja5apU9x7brXmiEiX62/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav4J57m3fP-XVC6IfFqCrzFF2pg7lco-FmODsSG1RrLoWzF6mYNYGtxZf9OIpq1g6mhJXrYh-QY1Rp7fN0SExw3h0MovjIhqVCrgwXOhJSeOQzcwDe_3TCzE5wja5apU9x7brXmiEiX62/s400/IMG_0441.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aranxta Sanchez Vicario stadium was my fave - great size</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4BKBHkm4A2g6D-1tyB9Zju3ATasZ-Cjl5SOnp4C8UKJUYBigR7GTN-5-uR8stFJb5qLTsGItuluvDuAA45gOvKJ6OxPVNcqVAuJ1C3VQFlYF1GWY7e_YqtsyUhELDwUm8eYfAJMN_pSf/s1600/IMG_0476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4BKBHkm4A2g6D-1tyB9Zju3ATasZ-Cjl5SOnp4C8UKJUYBigR7GTN-5-uR8stFJb5qLTsGItuluvDuAA45gOvKJ6OxPVNcqVAuJ1C3VQFlYF1GWY7e_YqtsyUhELDwUm8eYfAJMN_pSf/s400/IMG_0476.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View toward the back courts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET7Kuj5suSraSm24QI8tE0kO8Q49YPQjVRq9Veow2dJM__yz7a3a5HXt1ZBIiM0jyT2BEc_8INAMH4Oi_Pw0KhsC9oucDG9SKHl1JxrTn9CClzhX4qrJfNSQ04XVp_ZqrTBrN51q3FvqW/s1600/IMG_0477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET7Kuj5suSraSm24QI8tE0kO8Q49YPQjVRq9Veow2dJM__yz7a3a5HXt1ZBIiM0jyT2BEc_8INAMH4Oi_Pw0KhsC9oucDG9SKHl1JxrTn9CClzhX4qrJfNSQ04XVp_ZqrTBrN51q3FvqW/s400/IMG_0477.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What greeted me each day as I arrived onsite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEeaj3WPnyU2VJjnsWGSZG2BIdDo0aHeNSyJghGiRp2gIj_Lmqkr4YEkH3HYf_oYpbGGGEpLBfLo1LyL0Kc_Cu4M8AQ-UHdXqk1eIecV3LZB-ch4y0kHMGdvqk2MyFLH-c7or7zf9bnfB/s1600/IMG_1022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEeaj3WPnyU2VJjnsWGSZG2BIdDo0aHeNSyJghGiRp2gIj_Lmqkr4YEkH3HYf_oYpbGGGEpLBfLo1LyL0Kc_Cu4M8AQ-UHdXqk1eIecV3LZB-ch4y0kHMGdvqk2MyFLH-c7or7zf9bnfB/s320/IMG_1022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely view from the ground level of La Caja Magica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVI-axJtR5QNKJpfUDO-kc4P5eIGk4UsOedwiw_KDiWxIkhhPN43pkyNdSGqr9Xe707RVXkc9vTfZbJzEg3jSLk2_tzf7v0nBBenmKTmRTWMWBbEfFi9jqy9zraIp7fkO7VH3B7wM0eoCS/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVI-axJtR5QNKJpfUDO-kc4P5eIGk4UsOedwiw_KDiWxIkhhPN43pkyNdSGqr9Xe707RVXkc9vTfZbJzEg3jSLk2_tzf7v0nBBenmKTmRTWMWBbEfFi9jqy9zraIp7fkO7VH3B7wM0eoCS/s400/IMG_1026.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bar area on the ground - sadly never hung out there for a beverage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahsbtYABBjBEbtMXui2ceUD-N1zPUyIfuCsyD9Anfz3VjDzZIBStM-N7o9Yr8cxI8s_mYxbIkeqpYBVf27Lexxn_W0zZSZpfv39ZRbk9529PzS8hOCrRG1xoopgowNmJYQpHX9FKlknIO/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahsbtYABBjBEbtMXui2ceUD-N1zPUyIfuCsyD9Anfz3VjDzZIBStM-N7o9Yr8cxI8s_mYxbIkeqpYBVf27Lexxn_W0zZSZpfv39ZRbk9529PzS8hOCrRG1xoopgowNmJYQpHX9FKlknIO/s400/IMG_1030.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ion Tiriac collection I believe this was called</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1_dCquYj22qUhkEumG-D79KIpfXNTszHRNjVEEwO5noOd1I33OtMqxN0OdQ7SnaYk36eJkfxefwfylabgEe4CqW5MG5jfZ_FNorIHvxfQG7coIfAMt_rOEtjKBxqIM0ByVjuWGftRToY/s1600/IMG_1031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1_dCquYj22qUhkEumG-D79KIpfXNTszHRNjVEEwO5noOd1I33OtMqxN0OdQ7SnaYk36eJkfxefwfylabgEe4CqW5MG5jfZ_FNorIHvxfQG7coIfAMt_rOEtjKBxqIM0ByVjuWGftRToY/s400/IMG_1031.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the steps up to the stadium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSKaHCFJOQS0boCyykEsWxdN5kK8EtVZlFdqxvDtR5Mr_zzm15PJpFVMy3gRg0fBPbstasNJNNuwh1i5cOASuVdYV5tXEZS2q6Do0g-rc8IKvsfUkj5-q9jirv_i_forASNeCUaaYa3S8/s1600/IMG_1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSKaHCFJOQS0boCyykEsWxdN5kK8EtVZlFdqxvDtR5Mr_zzm15PJpFVMy3gRg0fBPbstasNJNNuwh1i5cOASuVdYV5tXEZS2q6Do0g-rc8IKvsfUkj5-q9jirv_i_forASNeCUaaYa3S8/s400/IMG_1032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUve4DzKUso73SUgVVIgYiuUiLawvmsWxJWLeVKiYsNU-EzW6JyLEtp_plMHd8u2ZIC7E8ZrIthByzK_DJqsSG4rXgm2v2NHXzxIq5dJ3NWQtNKaEOu2VezE3qHU_gBbvfl-OOMuoIf10/s1600/IMG_1036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUve4DzKUso73SUgVVIgYiuUiLawvmsWxJWLeVKiYsNU-EzW6JyLEtp_plMHd8u2ZIC7E8ZrIthByzK_DJqsSG4rXgm2v2NHXzxIq5dJ3NWQtNKaEOu2VezE3qHU_gBbvfl-OOMuoIf10/s400/IMG_1036.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adios!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-18359278240818172382015-04-26T16:10:00.000-05:002015-07-31T10:37:41.514-05:00Madrid-boundEven though I swore my springtime live tennis excursions were going to be limited to <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/03/tips-for-enjoying-and-surviving-bnp.html" target="_blank">Indian Wells,</a> I could not help myself a few weeks ago...<br />
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So, I'm going to Madrid!<br />
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I will be spending 11 days in Madrid, and will be credentialed media at the <a href="http://www.madrid-open.com/en/" target="_blank">Mutua Madrid Open</a> for my friends at <a href="http://www.changeovertennis.com/" target="_blank">The Changeover</a> (thanks guys!). Anytime I get the chance to attend a tournament for the first time I'm wildly excited and it's great being media as I have a chance to attend press conferences and write about my favorite sport.<br />
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I can't wait to watch tennis inside a complex called "Magic Box". <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caja_M%C3%A1gica" target="_blank">Caja Magica </a>looks amazing. The court itself is no longer blue, but with all the top WTA and ATPers present for the first big clay event of the year, it should be a wonderful tennis watching week for me.<br />
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You can follow my coverage on Twitter on my personal account <a href="https://twitter.com/StephintheUS" target="_blank">@StephintheUS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/the_changeover" target="_blank">The Changeover</a>, if you're not already following!<br />
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If you've attended the tournament, or visited this amazing city beforehand, I'd love any tips! I've been pouring over my Madrid Lonely Planet guide and am overwhelmed by all the stunning places to see. I did visit <a href="https://travelsbysteph.wordpress.com/2015/01/15/spain-barcelona/" target="_blank">Barcelona</a> and <a href="https://travelsbysteph.wordpress.com/2015/01/18/spain-seville/" target="_blank">Seville</a> in 2011 when I attended the <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/search/label/Davis%20Cup" target="_blank">Davis Cup final</a>, so I can't wait to explore Madrid.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSKikhVVR6Xhi5I4Wz2YW38poHQ7JU4ZICsp6qSjz6qksDy09m6qY0bLRjk_tg1HsNjUuuXPIrDaSPStIbRMSHjjaGucGQNu91l1BxGnDWlGOSbaB8h0TVQTC7LlfOmUUHU3ZI11uXLAv/s1600/PTRN+Logo+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSKikhVVR6Xhi5I4Wz2YW38poHQ7JU4ZICsp6qSjz6qksDy09m6qY0bLRjk_tg1HsNjUuuXPIrDaSPStIbRMSHjjaGucGQNu91l1BxGnDWlGOSbaB8h0TVQTC7LlfOmUUHU3ZI11uXLAv/s1600/PTRN+Logo+2.png" width="320" /></a>And one more plug for the <b><a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/02/passing-shots-new-wta-focused-radio-show.html" target="_blank">ProTenn Radio show</a> </b>I've been doing with <a href="http://www.tennisacumen.com/" target="_blank">@tennisacumen</a> each week. Our show 'Passing shots' focuses exclusively on the WTA and we recap previous results, look at the current tournament happenings and discuss anything going on off the court. We air live and welcome callers, and the show is available online any time! Our scheduled show time is 8.30pm CT on Thursdays. <br />
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<b><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/protenn/2015/04/25/passing-shots-with-pete-and-stephanie" target="_blank">Here's a link to last week's show</a>. </b><br />
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Please visit the website and listen to our show <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/protenn" target="_blank">here</a>.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-69286048343137313492015-04-08T16:07:00.000-05:002015-07-31T10:37:53.048-05:002015 BNP Paribas Open - player photos (part II)This will serve as my final photo post from the 2015 BNP Paribas Open! I am no professional but have fun trying to time shots on my iPhone - it's so hard to capture the effort in each shot and the emotions. Taking photos does take away from actually watching the matches so I am glad I was able to watch so many players practice at the tournament.<br />
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So here are just a few more pics from Indian Wells this year:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena Williams steps back onto the court for her first IW match since 2001</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's back</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena leaves victorious and to applause</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting pairing of Kuznetsova and Vandeweghe</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sabine Lisicki</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesia Tsurenko won a lot of fans in IW this year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alize Cornet</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline Wozniacki</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belinda Bencic</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline Wozniacki</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belinda Bencic was delighted after beating Wozniacki</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa Nadal doubles action with Pablo Carreno Busta</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa Nadal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maria Sharapova</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFAH-yUCDZgPSfeRZRfk3tfErHq8OXUdAOWJPUMhorIhArALsbT7kj-WppWiMaF64mg1dOvrEjQfR0TX6-0RKPwBb6eI7XL5HGx5gYn5AdZTWyjQ2DA0V_o9I0qKeA9c9CkjCNCrF-F8Q/s1600/IMG_6459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFAH-yUCDZgPSfeRZRfk3tfErHq8OXUdAOWJPUMhorIhArALsbT7kj-WppWiMaF64mg1dOvrEjQfR0TX6-0RKPwBb6eI7XL5HGx5gYn5AdZTWyjQ2DA0V_o9I0qKeA9c9CkjCNCrF-F8Q/s1600/IMG_6459.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria Azarenka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVct2q7ozaIZlik8NO_L2L1SDi5bEkaMNdOgEJRLdRUx7amIgsvimFAdPm6h6T3N2wb6Y6VLQXW2zrSS46EV02PYEWZ7qfPR4VsxHcSB91g9k3HU8IynjYwSpevy4wy7OIHEn9RZCWntFZ/s1600/IMG_6460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVct2q7ozaIZlik8NO_L2L1SDi5bEkaMNdOgEJRLdRUx7amIgsvimFAdPm6h6T3N2wb6Y6VLQXW2zrSS46EV02PYEWZ7qfPR4VsxHcSB91g9k3HU8IynjYwSpevy4wy7OIHEn9RZCWntFZ/s1600/IMG_6460.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maria Sharapova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWf9K4sldRl0je-lH3j8ozqIlM2Exa0eQBOFpktwsxX_a7-gNAO-qyUZmRifxY_zhOHArdCAyFtUi7NqxZLM9JeleGZI7Rh1Vh0m3aSIj8dnigkFtujkyP8C3DGraEpfumxkEYq0RBjyb/s1600/IMG_6461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWf9K4sldRl0je-lH3j8ozqIlM2Exa0eQBOFpktwsxX_a7-gNAO-qyUZmRifxY_zhOHArdCAyFtUi7NqxZLM9JeleGZI7Rh1Vh0m3aSIj8dnigkFtujkyP8C3DGraEpfumxkEYq0RBjyb/s1600/IMG_6461.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara Errani</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyAcI19lbf1JowHxYKcFcWf_iarLIp9o4JdWuM016xuMdUeJBnNGKlcUt4C6mImKZMTPOveMPbW5EFWKuhk6NGu3BmY74VvVU2Qdpivq9KCljSVGzlmcyC4ruFfHfM6X8_kiE6A2AYt2Q/s1600/IMG_6462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyAcI19lbf1JowHxYKcFcWf_iarLIp9o4JdWuM016xuMdUeJBnNGKlcUt4C6mImKZMTPOveMPbW5EFWKuhk6NGu3BmY74VvVU2Qdpivq9KCljSVGzlmcyC4ruFfHfM6X8_kiE6A2AYt2Q/s1600/IMG_6462.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sabine Lisicki</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfiYVXF7tlbrXgUdGlk2cK8X1JtlDNGBmmoLLy10dglgLlw0Gb4lkK2ZoUePAz7ajfoEhTfQE1fR7slYUHf56LHkOC1JS9LyJL8Y8KI9FwG7xy-Puem844cgpt7yEpBzd-xhgH44D2fLq/s1600/IMG_5590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfiYVXF7tlbrXgUdGlk2cK8X1JtlDNGBmmoLLy10dglgLlw0Gb4lkK2ZoUePAz7ajfoEhTfQE1fR7slYUHf56LHkOC1JS9LyJL8Y8KI9FwG7xy-Puem844cgpt7yEpBzd-xhgH44D2fLq/s1600/IMG_5590.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yulia Putintseva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLz6751X-LZInFheem1IrR38ew8Dgi0bVSdPFWE2iOJSM0xnmDzgh7n0yU8kcFEBRPkQ3de9ZVq8SF2J1A6s9l1VZDCF0eN-Rd86xfoXOq2kfeztSoTLFTWFxSuf5UOYEtSg-YTQ9u3x_/s1600/IMG_5591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLz6751X-LZInFheem1IrR38ew8Dgi0bVSdPFWE2iOJSM0xnmDzgh7n0yU8kcFEBRPkQ3de9ZVq8SF2J1A6s9l1VZDCF0eN-Rd86xfoXOq2kfeztSoTLFTWFxSuf5UOYEtSg-YTQ9u3x_/s1600/IMG_5591.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yulia Putintseva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-dBBcKPvKOq_Cb9dl86TdSlxATJsNWMXLAWxLU8mwJw3kXBY6839JJB1FbDAZf906AidcZ1FAbOE6o2ZRcy5El_KWq6K-1P_4BWMgLldX_lpl88ykBQYffmfMBey1k0y8wvUh-Rsv91s/s1600/IMG_5592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-dBBcKPvKOq_Cb9dl86TdSlxATJsNWMXLAWxLU8mwJw3kXBY6839JJB1FbDAZf906AidcZ1FAbOE6o2ZRcy5El_KWq6K-1P_4BWMgLldX_lpl88ykBQYffmfMBey1k0y8wvUh-Rsv91s/s1600/IMG_5592.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ana Ivanovic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokocmwoATzQxUX9DnvXYZOC06x-F9YhNTkatezSP8v1k-Th6HqW4jMSxtkMEHj065unPh8i75Gg4rMzlbJdpCmnPPReQvzDL2AU-PDSq9DNVn8uQ7783S88MESBZnUMb9D2o6aT6UBr_V/s1600/IMG_5594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokocmwoATzQxUX9DnvXYZOC06x-F9YhNTkatezSP8v1k-Th6HqW4jMSxtkMEHj065unPh8i75Gg4rMzlbJdpCmnPPReQvzDL2AU-PDSq9DNVn8uQ7783S88MESBZnUMb9D2o6aT6UBr_V/s1600/IMG_5594.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milos Raonic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPDWV3FImtzUHqzN7H9i4idWUqOz8uMGcTPUeo0RMf9WMiA12EAV6Es8uWv-7szl7SWR4PeX83VZMYJGgTC9R1nko-n4PO-If_8tu64ggEUozKGB6Adjs1_badOCp_AD0rtKIMvE1gwRM/s1600/IMG_5596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPDWV3FImtzUHqzN7H9i4idWUqOz8uMGcTPUeo0RMf9WMiA12EAV6Es8uWv-7szl7SWR4PeX83VZMYJGgTC9R1nko-n4PO-If_8tu64ggEUozKGB6Adjs1_badOCp_AD0rtKIMvE1gwRM/s1600/IMG_5596.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren Davis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine5n4FfpEeUNCPg_vy6mlNs3ZCuqz6P5NH99J5N_tjsl6GAt1ciMCwTTgI1My5VE88RS_iK4EPdYThjt_BmgH4c9nHqV2JOuesSYPzvqgZgoNpOWtAkMDWfglgo7cM0jtzz7wrTGO7JHG/s1600/IMG_5597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine5n4FfpEeUNCPg_vy6mlNs3ZCuqz6P5NH99J5N_tjsl6GAt1ciMCwTTgI1My5VE88RS_iK4EPdYThjt_BmgH4c9nHqV2JOuesSYPzvqgZgoNpOWtAkMDWfglgo7cM0jtzz7wrTGO7JHG/s1600/IMG_5597.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanasi Kokkinakis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmUa0AO-vVKCX1tGDUUnXEOHrRwFVNCERqryt5TAt6vFVWX9PDZC7PVxtPFvaj5kEWQZ7lxuMiEFMDG-cnaBJs7pLmEAv9T5piSFBpSGTzAz6xIqLmuGFFyn41xFeKAOIzmaQFO5AUAxF/s1600/IMG_5598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmUa0AO-vVKCX1tGDUUnXEOHrRwFVNCERqryt5TAt6vFVWX9PDZC7PVxtPFvaj5kEWQZ7lxuMiEFMDG-cnaBJs7pLmEAv9T5piSFBpSGTzAz6xIqLmuGFFyn41xFeKAOIzmaQFO5AUAxF/s1600/IMG_5598.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanasi Kokkinakis after beating Guillermo Garcia-Lopez</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgI-X6rt_5PtVsculop9fPL3XpbU5jpxwmhSaElR1TzDKKPVgobHhRIw6uey1OnT5olLJ0tX7sh_3RMDTw2UR55QU8vQDJI-a9hMu0czkpz5lNSOzpkBPGdTTDtlK3KAEeZUvCyir0Vj_/s1600/IMG_5599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgI-X6rt_5PtVsculop9fPL3XpbU5jpxwmhSaElR1TzDKKPVgobHhRIw6uey1OnT5olLJ0tX7sh_3RMDTw2UR55QU8vQDJI-a9hMu0czkpz5lNSOzpkBPGdTTDtlK3KAEeZUvCyir0Vj_/s1600/IMG_5599.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria Azarenka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbf6IHP2NAZQjq4oDccbNXedAcikmVyDVtbHGLA3SoWy6lpQ2EbAifo5V3Y9Kbtepqx5E8MxnsrfTCZv5GBrJMkkfaW8pFqz9Q0qkfozCw29qL91IxI3HehCIXYd99k1ETgNNJOv76VYOG/s1600/IMG_5600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbf6IHP2NAZQjq4oDccbNXedAcikmVyDVtbHGLA3SoWy6lpQ2EbAifo5V3Y9Kbtepqx5E8MxnsrfTCZv5GBrJMkkfaW8pFqz9Q0qkfozCw29qL91IxI3HehCIXYd99k1ETgNNJOv76VYOG/s1600/IMG_5600.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristen Flipkens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPwBJcaDA0GKP7AOEUa9WPsYSwUNsrGJ0u0ZKXO3Um9-aSykH-CE1eInXaxmtoTnsjzKsUAUhYblL5tT2HcrwaIC9cfGnqBhvgLlo1QWTC-eaFqiaqRViEV3YWDE0_osX_Nv_jhxwPwcI/s1600/IMG_5601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPwBJcaDA0GKP7AOEUa9WPsYSwUNsrGJ0u0ZKXO3Um9-aSykH-CE1eInXaxmtoTnsjzKsUAUhYblL5tT2HcrwaIC9cfGnqBhvgLlo1QWTC-eaFqiaqRViEV3YWDE0_osX_Nv_jhxwPwcI/s1600/IMG_5601.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria Azarenka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsJ9kElQSheCb2oYvM2UxXex9LbvQvnS9tGv3FJHws4HbF-6OPKbI9ul072U4N5NZ7vNjsusWyeaMe0hjqyUWDr0Bn9g6KxMtx-KusbNFFv3n55MkI9EqYPOMRUpcrRsx3RPszh9e1GIS/s1600/IMG_5603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsJ9kElQSheCb2oYvM2UxXex9LbvQvnS9tGv3FJHws4HbF-6OPKbI9ul072U4N5NZ7vNjsusWyeaMe0hjqyUWDr0Bn9g6KxMtx-KusbNFFv3n55MkI9EqYPOMRUpcrRsx3RPszh9e1GIS/s1600/IMG_5603.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Stosur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIcvC3utoEWBwHY4HgRYK_YrdkdDdD1PVh2mzO5oF1NeqQYWMc7tsP_DGTF1aB1RjNHqFjohbHbxdLeRhop3d9xoaKlDvP2IYrJtoca5ci5Qj_y3ZFCBXNYakcU9GbJ5BKP1PI32D6u2_/s1600/IMG_5604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIcvC3utoEWBwHY4HgRYK_YrdkdDdD1PVh2mzO5oF1NeqQYWMc7tsP_DGTF1aB1RjNHqFjohbHbxdLeRhop3d9xoaKlDvP2IYrJtoca5ci5Qj_y3ZFCBXNYakcU9GbJ5BKP1PI32D6u2_/s1600/IMG_5604.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa Nadal late night practice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3utKrH1g6bIpsZZt2w8HAk4aAVr9kZGnfYVCO7W001pDJnseWKVTQaW7FtkZ-M1l9tFgiAY-VYScxwgrCj49El7U4MCdaOTTZws2_FnbU3bK-guqOotzIr0AGNBIIBSAxH_I4Hyx2Zuyt/s1600/IMG_5954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3utKrH1g6bIpsZZt2w8HAk4aAVr9kZGnfYVCO7W001pDJnseWKVTQaW7FtkZ-M1l9tFgiAY-VYScxwgrCj49El7U4MCdaOTTZws2_FnbU3bK-guqOotzIr0AGNBIIBSAxH_I4Hyx2Zuyt/s1600/IMG_5954.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flavia Pennetta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1u5uDT6taY0VxA17hmIdwlC-srUBhSLDQAUcX84YJJwwR-KQ8Tjj41bCDQkU1-9QZ-Dgj4DTNI23TJUdd99y3loV8YpNDvosSHecGs5jNDky7FqpnDnmKYNya423JWPbX1xraC4mAE8p/s1600/IMG_5955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1u5uDT6taY0VxA17hmIdwlC-srUBhSLDQAUcX84YJJwwR-KQ8Tjj41bCDQkU1-9QZ-Dgj4DTNI23TJUdd99y3loV8YpNDvosSHecGs5jNDky7FqpnDnmKYNya423JWPbX1xraC4mAE8p/s1600/IMG_5955.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karolina Pliskova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0p32_blQTeFnz3fFLB47cSa2qtzsJlsRM80iPl3OBAVISpAhDKMj2HPL6gVmuOPnzLb6YwQQKe66vWtdwpt7KUInKWNaD1a9vOYlFHjyHq_Y0EPsN3rV6fwZV2-GPD6YlLt6nVRO30jE6/s1600/IMG_5956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0p32_blQTeFnz3fFLB47cSa2qtzsJlsRM80iPl3OBAVISpAhDKMj2HPL6gVmuOPnzLb6YwQQKe66vWtdwpt7KUInKWNaD1a9vOYlFHjyHq_Y0EPsN3rV6fwZV2-GPD6YlLt6nVRO30jE6/s1600/IMG_5956.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garbine Muguruza</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyMfYwRMMyrVhBOCamWi6LzqLXYavnnwVCOpga6IFPr4J6F6DV42iUFDQ_06wmZKaKIeUsJswN3K5BGw_bYnVg4faGy6CEv_c6HXztfgdhqm2zLckBWTaDzbZu5tfsuqb6t1xrMqompYl/s1600/IMG_5957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyMfYwRMMyrVhBOCamWi6LzqLXYavnnwVCOpga6IFPr4J6F6DV42iUFDQ_06wmZKaKIeUsJswN3K5BGw_bYnVg4faGy6CEv_c6HXztfgdhqm2zLckBWTaDzbZu5tfsuqb6t1xrMqompYl/s1600/IMG_5957.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Svetlana Kuznetsova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMh_g4feI5lfPhY8Swv7FDuo_iVylTd02584YPa7LA_6saqVrYFzETEX1DcNcGEyQz5wPHmnUJFL7aEjttVmrdSf8fmLBPeAc3yg_9GoZigDp9i88WAdjweyivABV20Iqbl9w4vpWyofl/s1600/IMG_5958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMh_g4feI5lfPhY8Swv7FDuo_iVylTd02584YPa7LA_6saqVrYFzETEX1DcNcGEyQz5wPHmnUJFL7aEjttVmrdSf8fmLBPeAc3yg_9GoZigDp9i88WAdjweyivABV20Iqbl9w4vpWyofl/s1600/IMG_5958.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sloane Stephens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0Den2Jq6UT-kaK0XXAiK_93y2MAyX6qqsQWwdfc3fQzcox5UIUnyYJpOCAnp6XtWV8Dte_X0PhZL6Pwxa3MyHsv_h6P8STbxU_etDLcehzLomNFixoCnqkKT8N5vaScjl9rDL1LLnUaw/s1600/IMG_5959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0Den2Jq6UT-kaK0XXAiK_93y2MAyX6qqsQWwdfc3fQzcox5UIUnyYJpOCAnp6XtWV8Dte_X0PhZL6Pwxa3MyHsv_h6P8STbxU_etDLcehzLomNFixoCnqkKT8N5vaScjl9rDL1LLnUaw/s1600/IMG_5959.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa Nadal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrUZlWlq4vqXqi3L1ar-EllxFxXYyvagyKw0SazKChZaToBfXGp1r8S1LWoF-mrDu-y99wd96rURZ0pCugZ2fuivtBpD0jjEM_NxY64RIPH8rpmFAKQAlBCpTMPy8ATTq1KOP3sP48cIB/s1600/IMG_5960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrUZlWlq4vqXqi3L1ar-EllxFxXYyvagyKw0SazKChZaToBfXGp1r8S1LWoF-mrDu-y99wd96rURZ0pCugZ2fuivtBpD0jjEM_NxY64RIPH8rpmFAKQAlBCpTMPy8ATTq1KOP3sP48cIB/s1600/IMG_5960.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3_dBfJgXYCA8RuJCqa0Iv7hFZ9hw0fB0kc1uKaOlHcc45OSXqNaMttPbRIJfXPtsIIiX_Ddawvxd7nrKISum1lxZGceZuPOpNWr45iJok5GadNiCRGHp2m4c80kB9poTKgcmGB70LhpK/s1600/IMG_7591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3_dBfJgXYCA8RuJCqa0Iv7hFZ9hw0fB0kc1uKaOlHcc45OSXqNaMttPbRIJfXPtsIIiX_Ddawvxd7nrKISum1lxZGceZuPOpNWr45iJok5GadNiCRGHp2m4c80kB9poTKgcmGB70LhpK/s1600/IMG_7591.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bryan Brothers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCefWZ8qVl5ph4A2JnOkcwalQ0Iy0Zx0MYncvHZ3ctrxC8XW_6xZafQsKCFhas87WkIc99LuV5pSzN2Y_4Y-qsbddFv8qb_iQaauUsV_bDHK4AYrlc2QSdGEo91yuGKwBfQ-JOfZ8c1pzS/s1600/IMG_6105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCefWZ8qVl5ph4A2JnOkcwalQ0Iy0Zx0MYncvHZ3ctrxC8XW_6xZafQsKCFhas87WkIc99LuV5pSzN2Y_4Y-qsbddFv8qb_iQaauUsV_bDHK4AYrlc2QSdGEo91yuGKwBfQ-JOfZ8c1pzS/s1600/IMG_6105.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline Wozniacki, unhappy with a call in her match vs Bencic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEGH2RZoEpkJUJQN-fs8hmdcZO2uVnAx4HliNa7th_BCci-slHPUk1ccGH6JEA6ytZWtCvLukKt3FUguhcEL4-7OELk1R6RGdZxsvYQ7Ocvj2DybqVYWm9aC6SjYIat28Hs7MvbZzuEVB/s1600/IMG_6055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEGH2RZoEpkJUJQN-fs8hmdcZO2uVnAx4HliNa7th_BCci-slHPUk1ccGH6JEA6ytZWtCvLukKt3FUguhcEL4-7OELk1R6RGdZxsvYQ7Ocvj2DybqVYWm9aC6SjYIat28Hs7MvbZzuEVB/s1600/IMG_6055.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belinda Bencic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeVj5OQr0M1QSHSUTvoA4q6rZ012-Q_gu9s214qUJYDCrKjZpZohOk14zAoBn2puagTakyp-4wrnVomb1qaO1AbN-qDfRGhrsLTE0Ht4V5TPIbRalDX6wlsoRc-sP0MFhL13TOZxgvoEQ/s1600/IMG_6403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeVj5OQr0M1QSHSUTvoA4q6rZ012-Q_gu9s214qUJYDCrKjZpZohOk14zAoBn2puagTakyp-4wrnVomb1qaO1AbN-qDfRGhrsLTE0Ht4V5TPIbRalDX6wlsoRc-sP0MFhL13TOZxgvoEQ/s1600/IMG_6403.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sabine Lisicki</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAjmOFYIKWp_S1GdmTlVI8IyqyCG7dDBLKIHVsyC8g7OzrL9Mx_kdKMlPVXIaMq8t98pWLM_LRv4H6VH9ppRn18sSpWuRyOIhOIc4FVs5U_qYHjq8vHiazvrHOgCFS9_ibM3vtPMmwjEL/s1600/IMG_6441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAjmOFYIKWp_S1GdmTlVI8IyqyCG7dDBLKIHVsyC8g7OzrL9Mx_kdKMlPVXIaMq8t98pWLM_LRv4H6VH9ppRn18sSpWuRyOIhOIc4FVs5U_qYHjq8vHiazvrHOgCFS9_ibM3vtPMmwjEL/s1600/IMG_6441.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sabine Lisicki</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2AgRQWPm3te-0NFasyFmzD8CG40axv7H2GxFbZE548iGrMihHkA5_btz-M1XnmXMFVCsSVuYQWgpxliPYQy6yWnWBklwaeGase0cJKXB9CoqJo6ciFbaUv_a-C5GvjdxWFIY3n6mepuB/s1600/IMG_6642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2AgRQWPm3te-0NFasyFmzD8CG40axv7H2GxFbZE548iGrMihHkA5_btz-M1XnmXMFVCsSVuYQWgpxliPYQy6yWnWBklwaeGase0cJKXB9CoqJo6ciFbaUv_a-C5GvjdxWFIY3n6mepuB/s1600/IMG_6642.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elina Svitolina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSauZeyxIgzq70MfkG9N7Ce0cUtr-OZtNBXKzzcFBSHYQqbMr3csrrP8WW_47VlPycVDoiYbD7vi4KQUip-aY3hkTKLDZkmfDnTFQPbH0h3yWlklvSy3zjVdydp2gSUgPtzz_0nsSIidQH/s1600/IMG_6777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSauZeyxIgzq70MfkG9N7Ce0cUtr-OZtNBXKzzcFBSHYQqbMr3csrrP8WW_47VlPycVDoiYbD7vi4KQUip-aY3hkTKLDZkmfDnTFQPbH0h3yWlklvSy3zjVdydp2gSUgPtzz_0nsSIidQH/s1600/IMG_6777.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelie Mauresmo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YlG3oblnhUTgSr9knL_HZ5cvHPKIQ5sTzodqs1hEfvRZ9a0tlBurLOJrvu1AtGQjJDUplkcjWixCajvQhbTCjhXeBl7xclok4V_XJbwLGNZBMb85tpXezczNXVQpQ3_F3HAigMslLeWG/s1600/IMG_6780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YlG3oblnhUTgSr9knL_HZ5cvHPKIQ5sTzodqs1hEfvRZ9a0tlBurLOJrvu1AtGQjJDUplkcjWixCajvQhbTCjhXeBl7xclok4V_XJbwLGNZBMb85tpXezczNXVQpQ3_F3HAigMslLeWG/s1600/IMG_6780.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Ferrer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg73bOAqmwFMSkyXBgXrrVQ5MK0jtVarx1D0-Ob5Le3NHictazSKL2crtRSntt4DebFweGQ0-j8GGXRmjUFNWOZRRvSsf6ZVtX-cN-rlFINUldOR4gaPSza20dW2du0xJQI-dM-oxAAHMN/s1600/IMG_6975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg73bOAqmwFMSkyXBgXrrVQ5MK0jtVarx1D0-Ob5Le3NHictazSKL2crtRSntt4DebFweGQ0-j8GGXRmjUFNWOZRRvSsf6ZVtX-cN-rlFINUldOR4gaPSza20dW2du0xJQI-dM-oxAAHMN/s1600/IMG_6975.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline Garcia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIKFFJDvWqA1LIH0iTZB5HfwVAlUEZYMEn4i3EnzmtZQoXWYnYvEXEN8MIjVN_Z34-dl03_oYg7w0YtlLry5zXQEbmUNy75FDVhDgPkZGilYfWflnOWj8m-XD-nRiSPaCxYwpmu-bfkgH/s1600/IMG_6977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIKFFJDvWqA1LIH0iTZB5HfwVAlUEZYMEn4i3EnzmtZQoXWYnYvEXEN8MIjVN_Z34-dl03_oYg7w0YtlLry5zXQEbmUNy75FDVhDgPkZGilYfWflnOWj8m-XD-nRiSPaCxYwpmu-bfkgH/s1600/IMG_6977.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ekaterina Makarova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBZS4GtFZgNHur8s1R5a0LJWYDMkiuwKEiC0kfgIjnvTTc1RXGtuxSl0i8xgx245I32moe5Onhew0YA97a028rqZmmsDo7xMAAeoipeWsMvaM0Dh2kmwyzIvYEOC_Nzz1lTcS6T2zhC8q/s1600/IMG_7412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBZS4GtFZgNHur8s1R5a0LJWYDMkiuwKEiC0kfgIjnvTTc1RXGtuxSl0i8xgx245I32moe5Onhew0YA97a028rqZmmsDo7xMAAeoipeWsMvaM0Dh2kmwyzIvYEOC_Nzz1lTcS6T2zhC8q/s1600/IMG_7412.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa Nadal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6KapQzNAsS0hLavIpsJjdYWkf0ZoShJZrcP2fPi5fOzIQLkgWDOkKJ3J6olj4LdxO4Jq5Bi8aF__J3Dww1q3tDdZBjDaj-BKANsWb4CqdgMvI1EgbJ4mM4xeTqZ06Xxnc4SlR4B4I_ga/s1600/IMG_7368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6KapQzNAsS0hLavIpsJjdYWkf0ZoShJZrcP2fPi5fOzIQLkgWDOkKJ3J6olj4LdxO4Jq5Bi8aF__J3Dww1q3tDdZBjDaj-BKANsWb4CqdgMvI1EgbJ4mM4xeTqZ06Xxnc4SlR4B4I_ga/s1600/IMG_7368.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa Nadal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFT5Gk6YEGfoVEazmufsR_IrK_Jg089I6BCFDvajH9e-yXJiyfQxKq83IuxKK6wkepermx08OlI9tS0QaHy1a4w3qNLczOjQ-07rgjWwZH5pDGXeKGtlXWIMWJxen7lbEsVUmYx5lYYFdl/s1600/IMG_7564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFT5Gk6YEGfoVEazmufsR_IrK_Jg089I6BCFDvajH9e-yXJiyfQxKq83IuxKK6wkepermx08OlI9tS0QaHy1a4w3qNLczOjQ-07rgjWwZH5pDGXeKGtlXWIMWJxen7lbEsVUmYx5lYYFdl/s1600/IMG_7564.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sabine Lisicki, after beating Flavia Pennetta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-DWoVCrSxzMfwt7nAAjsMbrK_BLTBJPVHdqQK9MAn9QXFVwUPh_ZFKH7qeeYrCIqrwSZEfwocDAKUYj5bBRmBAMBtquk6G6X_7DykAdjQ18rdBnYluuKU_nMZNEz0sVYct-PWQkFW_ig/s1600/IMG_7571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-DWoVCrSxzMfwt7nAAjsMbrK_BLTBJPVHdqQK9MAn9QXFVwUPh_ZFKH7qeeYrCIqrwSZEfwocDAKUYj5bBRmBAMBtquk6G6X_7DykAdjQ18rdBnYluuKU_nMZNEz0sVYct-PWQkFW_ig/s1600/IMG_7571.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flavia Pennetta exits the court after losing to Lisicki</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlw3n-78JR86fN2dTeCqXQpghEKtb7KFC4J1Do_J9Q9XDMqRzxfmNUPorClBvFkOMBgUsUI9p6sUObmE7eyDisrfo4rNhfFkDv9KW_b33nhm44HYWqLX3MDhN9CZFrme5I864MOLQUhdAO/s1600/IMG_7663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlw3n-78JR86fN2dTeCqXQpghEKtb7KFC4J1Do_J9Q9XDMqRzxfmNUPorClBvFkOMBgUsUI9p6sUObmE7eyDisrfo4rNhfFkDv9KW_b33nhm44HYWqLX3MDhN9CZFrme5I864MOLQUhdAO/s1600/IMG_7663.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack Sock and Vasek Pospisil after beating the Bryans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghid8he9u6Fw3PqTw7PJSjPjLgDA-x2w71OO1NPRSEp8P0WUHCoGe3GL0-0PrL6mb9KiYEIAATFYjjl_UV9amW0SF-cfM6RDLVMhN1O920Agh-nCCIVUqbJPZ23MLrBbrojguC4-7go9mi/s1600/IMG_7709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghid8he9u6Fw3PqTw7PJSjPjLgDA-x2w71OO1NPRSEp8P0WUHCoGe3GL0-0PrL6mb9KiYEIAATFYjjl_UV9amW0SF-cfM6RDLVMhN1O920Agh-nCCIVUqbJPZ23MLrBbrojguC4-7go9mi/s1600/IMG_7709.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnO4abGXsto4X7iF865EX771dH4CBo2j49Y00GKnGXIGBOybRLdqBlV0HhAEb-GsenkbkOFSFdpgV4PfvVSXHnLZzKsIgcS4yR_8kBvbRpRJXidOicSxgizngtsVg_K2fjRZYoZ7UVrdV/s1600/IMG_7775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnO4abGXsto4X7iF865EX771dH4CBo2j49Y00GKnGXIGBOybRLdqBlV0HhAEb-GsenkbkOFSFdpgV4PfvVSXHnLZzKsIgcS4yR_8kBvbRpRJXidOicSxgizngtsVg_K2fjRZYoZ7UVrdV/s1600/IMG_7775.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flavia Pennetta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6-IqWjjrvkVmt-BeNrjdnCpy1RFSfXRheFQbi8paC7hVi4l77m1qnZPBxYk4f9fSlzgS8Yes6H9TEmR0YAUGI6YEgmoWI3HL2Q0Pk6QzBR8xAQYXKWoLqyTKenWaVk-F41r_FmYiVdHp/s1600/IMG_7776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6-IqWjjrvkVmt-BeNrjdnCpy1RFSfXRheFQbi8paC7hVi4l77m1qnZPBxYk4f9fSlzgS8Yes6H9TEmR0YAUGI6YEgmoWI3HL2Q0Pk6QzBR8xAQYXKWoLqyTKenWaVk-F41r_FmYiVdHp/s1600/IMG_7776.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sabine Lisicki</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNWk0MRoE8lbctCMXscF398M1G3Qv1NKEYvalTkU0oqFgFAjORwC-HwoE8AuRCXvw8O7vzRTyPcklyGnlei6V6JNf4YFcczHrb8SthAkIFnkdTpQNiRmGk9FIX5YQgVLh9DBQgxeHM7zi/s1600/IMG_7781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNWk0MRoE8lbctCMXscF398M1G3Qv1NKEYvalTkU0oqFgFAjORwC-HwoE8AuRCXvw8O7vzRTyPcklyGnlei6V6JNf4YFcczHrb8SthAkIFnkdTpQNiRmGk9FIX5YQgVLh9DBQgxeHM7zi/s1600/IMG_7781.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock and Pospisil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoEwY6CwT50i19e5Rh81iCQL_wRnwkd6lDs6pefMG_Mc5gAXQGfrVEtvwqoVm3zvdrRf_BeK9hPJOZg2wlJuH8rHiWKzRGCkBIsnXcEoEp_VbxFP_YZfolyMTmg95k8Wp-emTfMbv8Lnd/s1600/IMG_7783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoEwY6CwT50i19e5Rh81iCQL_wRnwkd6lDs6pefMG_Mc5gAXQGfrVEtvwqoVm3zvdrRf_BeK9hPJOZg2wlJuH8rHiWKzRGCkBIsnXcEoEp_VbxFP_YZfolyMTmg95k8Wp-emTfMbv8Lnd/s1600/IMG_7783.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Stosur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6CBAtaANxG_DfyvGHJ1JihMDk-buBmb83MVtOzO9jh9Sb9s2Z21fy4hB2hJ1Xo0cib4iOVpfRXi0b3yHJhfygOl8ykPIJGHY_RIDxIT3jcUJ2euMO2Sc-V190Anq3MUdfemXyFtJjr2E/s1600/IMG_7784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6CBAtaANxG_DfyvGHJ1JihMDk-buBmb83MVtOzO9jh9Sb9s2Z21fy4hB2hJ1Xo0cib4iOVpfRXi0b3yHJhfygOl8ykPIJGHY_RIDxIT3jcUJ2euMO2Sc-V190Anq3MUdfemXyFtJjr2E/s1600/IMG_7784.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RIP Stan Wawrinka's racket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRMnbVyphuv-8npQqnvx-L80SzjOpTgaURONrPTyW41Ts36iGcF5AxYm2GKQ8tv4dnGx_d3NVl4OWro4BBKT5EXHQzT6H9w-Xvc-kWD5ZS1c2YQuxXBUaVsgFilz2zh6SNViqzh5e66fA/s1600/IMG_6698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRMnbVyphuv-8npQqnvx-L80SzjOpTgaURONrPTyW41Ts36iGcF5AxYm2GKQ8tv4dnGx_d3NVl4OWro4BBKT5EXHQzT6H9w-Xvc-kWD5ZS1c2YQuxXBUaVsgFilz2zh6SNViqzh5e66fA/s1600/IMG_6698.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa Nadal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYNr0hbQ50RN8ojGLGgRSrGMv7Bg6mh2Cl1uN8UBV_egvOoG8WqWUd9kw10D8Yo9YXa2Q5x4zTvd_ytXFJE20faOm9C3jcWHf5urk3H5i_exlUqbqGyUiMDsjzQZOzBHGQwCpcH_Cj8sc/s1600/IMG_6699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYNr0hbQ50RN8ojGLGgRSrGMv7Bg6mh2Cl1uN8UBV_egvOoG8WqWUd9kw10D8Yo9YXa2Q5x4zTvd_ytXFJE20faOm9C3jcWHf5urk3H5i_exlUqbqGyUiMDsjzQZOzBHGQwCpcH_Cj8sc/s1600/IMG_6699.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elina Svitolina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqhMfEtlpy1fmrHhyphenhyphenLJThI_KoVAFg-55MwV3L6BxyQxiCT42BZ-FXW9XbQi_CK4uQDnhYpWrBwFoc9XP42vxGcsW08GlySjvOhkUdWkDuFFIxsC7dZ1XQqwnauwejFFKgCkBlauu7NGSo/s1600/IMG_6701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqhMfEtlpy1fmrHhyphenhyphenLJThI_KoVAFg-55MwV3L6BxyQxiCT42BZ-FXW9XbQi_CK4uQDnhYpWrBwFoc9XP42vxGcsW08GlySjvOhkUdWkDuFFIxsC7dZ1XQqwnauwejFFKgCkBlauu7NGSo/s1600/IMG_6701.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elina Svitolina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKZodKbRKTWcNcmWf5h1sDy3Gfaa0Hni-jyRgVYAkKUNFYil_WWnrvqPOLTIMiXa_Oj8NIUat6hRnsnPH6Cb7sjt8UPpJwiQvs8Kvt7ElwtIa_84YJKCmF0AdTyVz54g_Buy28EpclCHs/s1600/IMG_3590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKZodKbRKTWcNcmWf5h1sDy3Gfaa0Hni-jyRgVYAkKUNFYil_WWnrvqPOLTIMiXa_Oj8NIUat6hRnsnPH6Cb7sjt8UPpJwiQvs8Kvt7ElwtIa_84YJKCmF0AdTyVz54g_Buy28EpclCHs/s1600/IMG_3590.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stan Wawrinka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk9Ou8MF2vyCOzQCw1jXOW1h3oviJ72nPiKtlHOx64Oyk3gZzQfdsnUbSLgq4H8G0TPypLz7GtuhnBFF7F81cJu5IKWzM-2P8qFv6TUK8ewPOvJothE-B6iLDoNN1W6rCYmkMNc21YtYr/s1600/IMG_6786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk9Ou8MF2vyCOzQCw1jXOW1h3oviJ72nPiKtlHOx64Oyk3gZzQfdsnUbSLgq4H8G0TPypLz7GtuhnBFF7F81cJu5IKWzM-2P8qFv6TUK8ewPOvJothE-B6iLDoNN1W6rCYmkMNc21YtYr/s1600/IMG_6786.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yanina Wickmayer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YOt1xFPm0F9ZLK7EEvzUJqiORHuaTly18layIlSBRwHic9VpYXx94R4_NmVCqsyftFdz72xfqzZqOKa7h7OWc2wDbia8tdZeAelOgbzuQFb6CwA8vWdxlFJJf_iN2BdzD9wcOFFduqNM/s1600/IMG_7068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YOt1xFPm0F9ZLK7EEvzUJqiORHuaTly18layIlSBRwHic9VpYXx94R4_NmVCqsyftFdz72xfqzZqOKa7h7OWc2wDbia8tdZeAelOgbzuQFb6CwA8vWdxlFJJf_iN2BdzD9wcOFFduqNM/s1600/IMG_7068.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena Williams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pKi-5ohIGWSiurDl19WvtSZ7cr2sDTwL-RH8TyUUdc3g6zXAXvb8D6yw4RIM_Epo3oxu573i3L_kR9K_UOq-M8T9welYjBe7ogkY0o57Y0gMFlyE_4RIFUBuU7iDPmRI9Di61KphTeXD/s1600/IMG_7290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pKi-5ohIGWSiurDl19WvtSZ7cr2sDTwL-RH8TyUUdc3g6zXAXvb8D6yw4RIM_Epo3oxu573i3L_kR9K_UOq-M8T9welYjBe7ogkY0o57Y0gMFlyE_4RIFUBuU7iDPmRI9Di61KphTeXD/s1600/IMG_7290.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrea Hlavackova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQPcQbexDxsvmfnszezqFCPVPZHg5sqjQIjja17nj2WEkhbFvI_HzDfTgC9psw9ustkJbF3sxULc3vrE4d_hZyS6wIFRB9z0axVDKiaJXu5UmbYwmzZHx7552VqPM0ka2buN5SdHBbwmp/s1600/IMG_7291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQPcQbexDxsvmfnszezqFCPVPZHg5sqjQIjja17nj2WEkhbFvI_HzDfTgC9psw9ustkJbF3sxULc3vrE4d_hZyS6wIFRB9z0axVDKiaJXu5UmbYwmzZHx7552VqPM0ka2buN5SdHBbwmp/s1600/IMG_7291.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucie Safarova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyh_1114543ykua4h5Gu38Sw-93wX8vobo9YQc3F3RdxYt0ETz7SYfDO6j3kF3j2eMy5IqyhBI3mpEQYsHva15u1aktOS7pcnCUBiSsv4CKQaxO-ilCHpcP3PNwru2nWkp_yGnBfI2_qw/s1600/IMG_7292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyh_1114543ykua4h5Gu38Sw-93wX8vobo9YQc3F3RdxYt0ETz7SYfDO6j3kF3j2eMy5IqyhBI3mpEQYsHva15u1aktOS7pcnCUBiSsv4CKQaxO-ilCHpcP3PNwru2nWkp_yGnBfI2_qw/s1600/IMG_7292.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bernard Tomic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqB7zoQjrYSlvrWi2zZvJZuXvFjYGRx9erwQIMjs-ihSs2GKVOiHm8rsPnkc8Wshq8-pu-I3LEQBhvvST0G2_UDpBE0mGTVplieOlIqMQ8myCaS6It_G4xa7so-NYHV4OKgAUynymfvav/s1600/IMG_7293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqB7zoQjrYSlvrWi2zZvJZuXvFjYGRx9erwQIMjs-ihSs2GKVOiHm8rsPnkc8Wshq8-pu-I3LEQBhvvST0G2_UDpBE0mGTVplieOlIqMQ8myCaS6It_G4xa7so-NYHV4OKgAUynymfvav/s1600/IMG_7293.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stan Wawrinka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgYri7xxL8Ok55Q6ipMbhyphenhyphen54cepl291rOUC_f0xS-Wmor0rpcu2GtfEPh3aMBdrZX5wK88Oh9cxeogwO0SLWby-YcyEWaYxcVXHrh91UwtiPZOsswb9fHCrJYqgDx7-7i3Cam-chhDCZ0/s1600/IMG_7298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgYri7xxL8Ok55Q6ipMbhyphenhyphen54cepl291rOUC_f0xS-Wmor0rpcu2GtfEPh3aMBdrZX5wK88Oh9cxeogwO0SLWby-YcyEWaYxcVXHrh91UwtiPZOsswb9fHCrJYqgDx7-7i3Cam-chhDCZ0/s1600/IMG_7298.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sania Mirza</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvk6-SJm93iupk-IEtGSbPF-VIWH84ekaWAQG34chCxykANAYEbfZk91D-PrXadzMx3lSDsZsi0tt99L6ak_ruTOdBoTu6v4yAKudavHiVt2IvWIGeawbmhJ3kvvrgXC-NSrG_JiV1DmZ/s1600/IMG_7299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvk6-SJm93iupk-IEtGSbPF-VIWH84ekaWAQG34chCxykANAYEbfZk91D-PrXadzMx3lSDsZsi0tt99L6ak_ruTOdBoTu6v4yAKudavHiVt2IvWIGeawbmhJ3kvvrgXC-NSrG_JiV1DmZ/s1600/IMG_7299.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martina Hingis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqeqIXjiPwTiIZQyl7T8T5JfV_9G88__Czrd2KHkpvfMkRhM4Ss1yufJ73Epl_9JjryPpv9KDLyWnh_dPs9_9r4lrllj_uvaET4hl-KSYVhQyEn0h-15xeftJNhw1k9zZ4HNu876yoG8X/s1600/IMG_7301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqeqIXjiPwTiIZQyl7T8T5JfV_9G88__Czrd2KHkpvfMkRhM4Ss1yufJ73Epl_9JjryPpv9KDLyWnh_dPs9_9r4lrllj_uvaET4hl-KSYVhQyEn0h-15xeftJNhw1k9zZ4HNu876yoG8X/s1600/IMG_7301.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline Garcia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZmRhJDyv93Rja6YGVpTiwTmlU19Bvs-7KBJAhSStTF1vDK8JatW3XJY3etE6mSIZS6zqExeh1NH2vEKPDHoLVYvxmKEFS7fa0CMRZYDXZ23GN6EgczyuU61dmjikUEBF4R8rp6zvWbEh/s1600/IMG_7304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZmRhJDyv93Rja6YGVpTiwTmlU19Bvs-7KBJAhSStTF1vDK8JatW3XJY3etE6mSIZS6zqExeh1NH2vEKPDHoLVYvxmKEFS7fa0CMRZYDXZ23GN6EgczyuU61dmjikUEBF4R8rp6zvWbEh/s1600/IMG_7304.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena Williams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW3fOTDtX4j928VsUrz6il0mmhvR0ic1aE33ql-Etk_2QaGldO3TBr8CaS9_N3M9gHgJckKFR0KTzRTiJ5TkpVOZmqQ8fPyhoaqWkyZG51NlkcKB8-sV4hxsd_DjC4y-fqpTHq6c_a-A1/s1600/IMG_7306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW3fOTDtX4j928VsUrz6il0mmhvR0ic1aE33ql-Etk_2QaGldO3TBr8CaS9_N3M9gHgJckKFR0KTzRTiJ5TkpVOZmqQ8fPyhoaqWkyZG51NlkcKB8-sV4hxsd_DjC4y-fqpTHq6c_a-A1/s1600/IMG_7306.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena Williams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnJLl5VbjcGW7nV8CQDUvDyqKBJt1sK7rB9bK_PcVvt44hl_Lv8bOtlLMD3dcudGgBHHLM35ZZUrrtegPxymiXOHoExgki6VooQ3BbnSxdM8n1fxa_narW9MwQRysPhPx9-SShfNQmUlh/s1600/IMG_7307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnJLl5VbjcGW7nV8CQDUvDyqKBJt1sK7rB9bK_PcVvt44hl_Lv8bOtlLMD3dcudGgBHHLM35ZZUrrtegPxymiXOHoExgki6VooQ3BbnSxdM8n1fxa_narW9MwQRysPhPx9-SShfNQmUlh/s1600/IMG_7307.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Qw6UpfbN_lfHo7WO7H7_YzHDo73fW0s8MzcELn9EKAm245pb75k7VIG0TyGTRaFTiHpf1FOQA6y8QGcIVcVQfTvqanaXo0BCN0xgmWX4PrPpyYjSIwJdt19svj0cc-4L2b-q7hRuHyYz/s1600/IMG_7308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Qw6UpfbN_lfHo7WO7H7_YzHDo73fW0s8MzcELn9EKAm245pb75k7VIG0TyGTRaFTiHpf1FOQA6y8QGcIVcVQfTvqanaXo0BCN0xgmWX4PrPpyYjSIwJdt19svj0cc-4L2b-q7hRuHyYz/s1600/IMG_7308.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena Williams</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTZRnNLJvQN3Rxjk71ddXFBEs2cP88w_ub2uBmWH2fuSrpF625IdfQzrTMViR2CJqFpfIZTDkHQeWgpZoVBZ_L-qyv9PXEbrU84vR_ZByzogACbTL8ZnAEdLC0SVyAwrmMd-VGKBAwkPX/s1600/IMG_7310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTZRnNLJvQN3Rxjk71ddXFBEs2cP88w_ub2uBmWH2fuSrpF625IdfQzrTMViR2CJqFpfIZTDkHQeWgpZoVBZ_L-qyv9PXEbrU84vR_ZByzogACbTL8ZnAEdLC0SVyAwrmMd-VGKBAwkPX/s1600/IMG_7310.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena Williams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqR2awcqjjvFAPYnoUNfyqucojIsTZ0ITHGtpyin1EobSVKJiYsgTQT3IirxIaIlT4Cs5SXnGwHvTT_kz0vC0j6uIfY-SItwkJ2JHGOJKad6maLH34lSvUsTmoOnKz-tfzyd8klSuHONqS/s1600/IMG_7311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqR2awcqjjvFAPYnoUNfyqucojIsTZ0ITHGtpyin1EobSVKJiYsgTQT3IirxIaIlT4Cs5SXnGwHvTT_kz0vC0j6uIfY-SItwkJ2JHGOJKad6maLH34lSvUsTmoOnKz-tfzyd8klSuHONqS/s1600/IMG_7311.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena Williams after beating Timea Bacsinszky, her final match in 2015</td></tr>
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Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984874161352501227.post-75690376977182684642015-04-08T13:41:00.001-05:002015-07-31T10:39:29.393-05:002015 BNP Paribas Open - player photos (part I)I spent 10 amazing day at the 2015 <a href="http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/" target="_blank">BNP Paribas Open</a>, my first visit to the tournament. I've already posted a blog about <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/03/tips-for-enjoying-and-surviving-bnp.html" target="_blank">my tips for attending</a>, and one of <a href="http://ihaveatennisaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/04/2015-bnp-paribas-open-photos-photos.html" target="_blank">photos of the grounds</a>. In my 10 days in Indian Wells, I took thousands of photos of players during matches and practices. Here are some of my favorite player pics:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAmiz2mKoEJ3xQMr_9zZZ2iIcnT_ve0ms8dSAt9PxOP2I6Y8Rd-MT1bbYSwBvibIUekQsbCvfxKI6edmH3B7amCLSOkMEpDuNcz7Du1cqrQgf4bPaJMSIzhjGLgB_uFoogOxWgB66xoDK/s1600/IMG_4475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAmiz2mKoEJ3xQMr_9zZZ2iIcnT_ve0ms8dSAt9PxOP2I6Y8Rd-MT1bbYSwBvibIUekQsbCvfxKI6edmH3B7amCLSOkMEpDuNcz7Du1cqrQgf4bPaJMSIzhjGLgB_uFoogOxWgB66xoDK/s1600/IMG_4475.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ana Ivanovic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7kw7z7p-ZjuIVcmpPHLOD5qUC_mNmFds1eydIhkod-EmVW7kgYvvMo9onWAGAieOWie7dSrAY422vGzH355LfJcXYwe6VeW7fYcd0nVvQd8yDrhRjVmJSLf8qVyASWmIk-h9odla_DQc/s1600/IMG_4474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7kw7z7p-ZjuIVcmpPHLOD5qUC_mNmFds1eydIhkod-EmVW7kgYvvMo9onWAGAieOWie7dSrAY422vGzH355LfJcXYwe6VeW7fYcd0nVvQd8yDrhRjVmJSLf8qVyASWmIk-h9odla_DQc/s1600/IMG_4474.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simona Halep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBjcthOmWxxaDncW6uUfaJcpCIAxUtDTcWOhOE_ehfdjjTW8C5477jk9_Sz0s_asWO4hVifZLa5L_dcJxnhOxshLdbtLz_QVNoB1gK0mHwkQhlZw5Ik-xN5H1y-6LZ86Evxq8mZV-wihc/s1600/IMG_4476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBjcthOmWxxaDncW6uUfaJcpCIAxUtDTcWOhOE_ehfdjjTW8C5477jk9_Sz0s_asWO4hVifZLa5L_dcJxnhOxshLdbtLz_QVNoB1gK0mHwkQhlZw5Ik-xN5H1y-6LZ86Evxq8mZV-wihc/s1600/IMG_4476.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ana Ivanovic</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxErKoXhv4g1tyNYdlqauceLCf7HlbBW9ksrmYvSUbT19w975MX6NyIl0VrakQ-JE-siDFUvSLg-ZApKH2HVXHOWNkMXQyYWhM357CRXePpcHuW1oLz_AWO43FjphZ-Kaf8i4bpLc5982d/s1600/IMG_4477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxErKoXhv4g1tyNYdlqauceLCf7HlbBW9ksrmYvSUbT19w975MX6NyIl0VrakQ-JE-siDFUvSLg-ZApKH2HVXHOWNkMXQyYWhM357CRXePpcHuW1oLz_AWO43FjphZ-Kaf8i4bpLc5982d/s1600/IMG_4477.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garbine Muguruza and Ana Ivanovic</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmThDPlDD9Dp6AAx1pCKpN66kdogKNGljE2zD2rrInyFOMivxuR2ylZv3Gar3qfk82Jr-1Xzpmna0iz8hyphenhyphenQI3xFQkYFY_g5OTMKw-d6rkO3COZMXjEx7GdZnPrGxTG5fDAJF5C51at9ET/s1600/IMG_4257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmThDPlDD9Dp6AAx1pCKpN66kdogKNGljE2zD2rrInyFOMivxuR2ylZv3Gar3qfk82Jr-1Xzpmna0iz8hyphenhyphenQI3xFQkYFY_g5OTMKw-d6rkO3COZMXjEx7GdZnPrGxTG5fDAJF5C51at9ET/s1600/IMG_4257.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa Nadal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Y6uWGj1orSML4TumrbljlXm28e-dY42cvvpgLZ6b_jp7w8yojfSbq5HgMTVbPaQuRT_M2vPGj4uwvGJ9cBv0rzreiXH9XR10vZOa691Li6y6FkNQieE9u2cxRk59uHxltcHzwLxhLl33/s1600/IMG_3495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Y6uWGj1orSML4TumrbljlXm28e-dY42cvvpgLZ6b_jp7w8yojfSbq5HgMTVbPaQuRT_M2vPGj4uwvGJ9cBv0rzreiXH9XR10vZOa691Li6y6FkNQieE9u2cxRk59uHxltcHzwLxhLl33/s1600/IMG_3495.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Stosur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHMVQIR2E31Byp8UwOs_lAsypzp4qqed_0za1frNzU8WIeyE2v5F66r0yseRJG1qwCbIrFxCHlC5jhUgLx2qLpclHtX5n_V2caW8gvnDxvrZsswuId8sOm9UsYHKQ9fSdu9jiw2ZvODft/s1600/IMG_3507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHMVQIR2E31Byp8UwOs_lAsypzp4qqed_0za1frNzU8WIeyE2v5F66r0yseRJG1qwCbIrFxCHlC5jhUgLx2qLpclHtX5n_V2caW8gvnDxvrZsswuId8sOm9UsYHKQ9fSdu9jiw2ZvODft/s1600/IMG_3507.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy Murray</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjok_ZLnCEWHJ4NEh9WiKOR0Y77ag2qFp2XBeHL2_SmnuuUkSkRmonbgKEJC6g48AY1ZMZ-CKzX9vdzpHLcFjlamzXjHE12MyLGcNUX-zuI99Ktw3n-sUy0X4LoG5-rtk0d12ZPlqI2Zito/s1600/IMG_3521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjok_ZLnCEWHJ4NEh9WiKOR0Y77ag2qFp2XBeHL2_SmnuuUkSkRmonbgKEJC6g48AY1ZMZ-CKzX9vdzpHLcFjlamzXjHE12MyLGcNUX-zuI99Ktw3n-sUy0X4LoG5-rtk0d12ZPlqI2Zito/s1600/IMG_3521.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belinda Bencic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFsoue3hRIZij3jHH-ptPmOhhPm2bobzr4XYZCGsTOgNNxoaQDtiO7_upkVBDFwLwQGa-52mE3MrRfLFlhcdguZfnXXOwGCzS-O3P9T_aJwlHP0rqWArjP9nvd8u_MIVbeBPae66yzCxU/s1600/IMG_3659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFsoue3hRIZij3jHH-ptPmOhhPm2bobzr4XYZCGsTOgNNxoaQDtiO7_upkVBDFwLwQGa-52mE3MrRfLFlhcdguZfnXXOwGCzS-O3P9T_aJwlHP0rqWArjP9nvd8u_MIVbeBPae66yzCxU/s1600/IMG_3659.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madison Keys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk0e5plxU6qiHjKpcZwUp9dtcymI8T3noVz_7vPW25BcAe4aLpsDw6MrYMvUd6OvUsu63BxqPddj2_MQ8nDgfy0s8TCN3HHIrw3m7k6ztTT_B8bHrWGPRJHWphoTaKAxStW6k5g4fZcq3/s1600/IMG_3843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk0e5plxU6qiHjKpcZwUp9dtcymI8T3noVz_7vPW25BcAe4aLpsDw6MrYMvUd6OvUsu63BxqPddj2_MQ8nDgfy0s8TCN3HHIrw3m7k6ztTT_B8bHrWGPRJHWphoTaKAxStW6k5g4fZcq3/s1600/IMG_3843.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yulia Putintseva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnzIkFlcbiMcedoqMdyqgmNA0raouB6WNq7WmdUPo-wIroK79KYyxnNdyk9oT17d6GLpwL-1xU29eM63o9d5U9I_wKeeMTeNOIZ9iCCjL_CP-sWjL1QMvA5-ScMp4G2APh-hwpiFOop39/s1600/IMG_3842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnzIkFlcbiMcedoqMdyqgmNA0raouB6WNq7WmdUPo-wIroK79KYyxnNdyk9oT17d6GLpwL-1xU29eM63o9d5U9I_wKeeMTeNOIZ9iCCjL_CP-sWjL1QMvA5-ScMp4G2APh-hwpiFOop39/s1600/IMG_3842.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yulia Putintseva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJULUVYLsej4zzutSYsUF60Lsb2NeaJfMe7GXTnVPmdtxNFF_O-8YQYr2Kz9Gxm43j2ViHSQfaipKGtAXoJ-s_Z4K2Mt4rHo3_fbJcjv51PLQvZAS_kCqp2Px-1jcq3MCYWvYkvqNLEgwT/s1600/IMG_3841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJULUVYLsej4zzutSYsUF60Lsb2NeaJfMe7GXTnVPmdtxNFF_O-8YQYr2Kz9Gxm43j2ViHSQfaipKGtAXoJ-s_Z4K2Mt4rHo3_fbJcjv51PLQvZAS_kCqp2Px-1jcq3MCYWvYkvqNLEgwT/s1600/IMG_3841.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anastasia Rodionova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bEaMSFwws7JfBpb3Oi6MKfnGi4SFrovTy76dqaLPbC8K5QfT_zhI23McAVNqitVekiL8Ttj7IvyufxyYXp-xzFLZx0BFPhsZxdwYAspnmkdxlZpWILQBwFTRbTUz-IVL6qg8TOBaDkLK/s1600/IMG_3837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bEaMSFwws7JfBpb3Oi6MKfnGi4SFrovTy76dqaLPbC8K5QfT_zhI23McAVNqitVekiL8Ttj7IvyufxyYXp-xzFLZx0BFPhsZxdwYAspnmkdxlZpWILQBwFTRbTUz-IVL6qg8TOBaDkLK/s1600/IMG_3837.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ernest Gulbis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoxlrBhOwGad6Aw-jsxmIFyjIWTJ3NlrQlvCixOvyRbToCF02xX-WyLUf3NJPZiJrk6B0iT46iF0XCQjB8Z8VVVTdfil7gJZoQPfaEP5taT81E0xVnXP7TeU9OSK_OQgH0JSqlxw3pk57/s1600/IMG_3838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoxlrBhOwGad6Aw-jsxmIFyjIWTJ3NlrQlvCixOvyRbToCF02xX-WyLUf3NJPZiJrk6B0iT46iF0XCQjB8Z8VVVTdfil7gJZoQPfaEP5taT81E0xVnXP7TeU9OSK_OQgH0JSqlxw3pk57/s1600/IMG_3838.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanasi Kokkinakis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tU7Evx0ZSy9OdRHu3ya2KoZWGpC3VoMopOwkYG7eX4CSWi20Ync64Ak4MYKU8eH9FaS4EtqiVZlDsTy6mEgx7U_tT_BcZvvlIXDzMhiC43LPoxN0UAWsnc3EDObBqjTtWkxIxwr3A7Wk/s1600/IMG_3839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tU7Evx0ZSy9OdRHu3ya2KoZWGpC3VoMopOwkYG7eX4CSWi20Ync64Ak4MYKU8eH9FaS4EtqiVZlDsTy6mEgx7U_tT_BcZvvlIXDzMhiC43LPoxN0UAWsnc3EDObBqjTtWkxIxwr3A7Wk/s1600/IMG_3839.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy Haas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxrK-0Sv3OsNa6atMJhN-0CICAWwP8w-JaZf4lWjXu0lCkt-1Z9PKdwKdQsggm-RLPF_2eBF__ISUDptzdcKyb4kkoJkS43j4eupJf3RQ8ynAEEZRUgDK4ROWeGAZWHg5U94tC5AwKBFm/s1600/IMG_3840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxrK-0Sv3OsNa6atMJhN-0CICAWwP8w-JaZf4lWjXu0lCkt-1Z9PKdwKdQsggm-RLPF_2eBF__ISUDptzdcKyb4kkoJkS43j4eupJf3RQ8ynAEEZRUgDK4ROWeGAZWHg5U94tC5AwKBFm/s1600/IMG_3840.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Gasquet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9eZq9a-fhMp-WSfB4dFbKKzilmX71Rz_x11adNtRWMUF9XvWs01ldUflZSE8eaS26EicUV-aQ4hI8zCHlxw0Nwhvdvi3dp8TlM8dzJVXKqwApqBfHcjQywzJ1f4klOabdOjZXUnw7oH0/s1600/IMG_3836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9eZq9a-fhMp-WSfB4dFbKKzilmX71Rz_x11adNtRWMUF9XvWs01ldUflZSE8eaS26EicUV-aQ4hI8zCHlxw0Nwhvdvi3dp8TlM8dzJVXKqwApqBfHcjQywzJ1f4klOabdOjZXUnw7oH0/s1600/IMG_3836.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ana Ivanovic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69VricqcbuEcuV0keWXlCS7tI2mYYQMy_nH7rIN11p9I7OFK4cACrQkxku5V3ljryQCAxr1Xxm8METHJJdqhX26jlpikzg2faTpgIPDOAjiD7NWh-aBwuDT6s9vcZxaddeCuWEBQtY7xr/s1600/IMG_3835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69VricqcbuEcuV0keWXlCS7tI2mYYQMy_nH7rIN11p9I7OFK4cACrQkxku5V3ljryQCAxr1Xxm8METHJJdqhX26jlpikzg2faTpgIPDOAjiD7NWh-aBwuDT6s9vcZxaddeCuWEBQtY7xr/s1600/IMG_3835.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria Azarenka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsMMjYhKrL5cLwjsSBKWF3TiR0sBGUDgynhaF1YVVt6PRu7llBvxLdbC1v987_9mhIulg6Uo4BmK9Nwg6qCBpkRPO5tfPVUjp7dtfhFMeTD5KWT4shqXJRx9MfvZGkG1Au8brZ8-6mCNG/s1600/IMG_3834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsMMjYhKrL5cLwjsSBKWF3TiR0sBGUDgynhaF1YVVt6PRu7llBvxLdbC1v987_9mhIulg6Uo4BmK9Nwg6qCBpkRPO5tfPVUjp7dtfhFMeTD5KWT4shqXJRx9MfvZGkG1Au8brZ8-6mCNG/s1600/IMG_3834.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria Azarenka with Sascha Bajin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAJhBf7oL7RYvQf1l5Y45KMQ1GC7gi6537NAa46pfPLs_hnCX3R1wB2vTdzT62UsZiKCUb634kGZGXV-Y57WQnNLGAzNgXhVkRyHpDJGE9PQ5kreg4ISJwV_qTF3xy4rz-RZ8znk0G1ks/s1600/IMG_3833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAJhBf7oL7RYvQf1l5Y45KMQ1GC7gi6537NAa46pfPLs_hnCX3R1wB2vTdzT62UsZiKCUb634kGZGXV-Y57WQnNLGAzNgXhVkRyHpDJGE9PQ5kreg4ISJwV_qTF3xy4rz-RZ8znk0G1ks/s1600/IMG_3833.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick Krygios</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3tiHrzVI6DRjA_SDlgv1d5UHeCrnpL_QJM53xsExyzLqYEYXTa-SfFVnwlnd6khVbS5uKnhy5i-7eZYFP8iJWe6khIQqQ_DUyAPYkNsDnx1jmxtn2UQ1nZqSqESXZM8gj1A8zluSqmNu/s1600/IMG_3829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3tiHrzVI6DRjA_SDlgv1d5UHeCrnpL_QJM53xsExyzLqYEYXTa-SfFVnwlnd6khVbS5uKnhy5i-7eZYFP8iJWe6khIQqQ_DUyAPYkNsDnx1jmxtn2UQ1nZqSqESXZM8gj1A8zluSqmNu/s1600/IMG_3829.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kei Nishikori</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrY1_JX3tMbQhhvPmtTfNUWnNbrffFX9Si-KOBpD0DAqL3ln5T3jj9XaM5NKQvQfZJliaEpwWQtcbGlPDYwCk0f62yIEcsRxfxP_xiD24oHhBkAZFcO5XbHApsgGsZys0-Gig3X1SZsZl/s1600/IMG_3826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrY1_JX3tMbQhhvPmtTfNUWnNbrffFX9Si-KOBpD0DAqL3ln5T3jj9XaM5NKQvQfZJliaEpwWQtcbGlPDYwCk0f62yIEcsRxfxP_xiD24oHhBkAZFcO5XbHApsgGsZys0-Gig3X1SZsZl/s1600/IMG_3826.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julien Benneteau</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerksM60myPbLkx-Ni7YfxnwzhipVs5NKjJNhy0Wwi1Tn5pJVtJKfpmh0Fk-tfaumtcBBxTQKR7De_XoxG_OD9KGw9LrgZ7wgWggfNmPnOId7z39gMrHgLI9wu8MS2roF34yvG3tDX6Zx5/s1600/IMG_3827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerksM60myPbLkx-Ni7YfxnwzhipVs5NKjJNhy0Wwi1Tn5pJVtJKfpmh0Fk-tfaumtcBBxTQKR7De_XoxG_OD9KGw9LrgZ7wgWggfNmPnOId7z39gMrHgLI9wu8MS2roF34yvG3tDX6Zx5/s1600/IMG_3827.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julia Goerges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwA4OEGgLqGa_BfkF2Bs0cKsp-F-JUvEx8RkFhgXIJtKmuinCmtauUVYDnaas5peJzwqODqXKJGdqsGdRIiHckA9mQFfQfXPU1LmR2dshl3XvPs_YWWl2PXzIrZn16IyaSwFtFgx4Me6N/s1600/IMG_3831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwA4OEGgLqGa_BfkF2Bs0cKsp-F-JUvEx8RkFhgXIJtKmuinCmtauUVYDnaas5peJzwqODqXKJGdqsGdRIiHckA9mQFfQfXPU1LmR2dshl3XvPs_YWWl2PXzIrZn16IyaSwFtFgx4Me6N/s1600/IMG_3831.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garbine Muguruza</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmjB82ZvUms9Uy9406Is-B7zd72aRyl2sNPkgOj6o-c6HgibRpRmZ3FOjWEykM7MFRBcVNuu2yV9SN4663sEQkNuHUSQ8-vrKlHRoWJoJ_XXDg_V9xMddL-rVhCQS3kDHLMGGFWZkUKvV/s1600/IMG_3830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmjB82ZvUms9Uy9406Is-B7zd72aRyl2sNPkgOj6o-c6HgibRpRmZ3FOjWEykM7MFRBcVNuu2yV9SN4663sEQkNuHUSQ8-vrKlHRoWJoJ_XXDg_V9xMddL-rVhCQS3kDHLMGGFWZkUKvV/s1600/IMG_3830.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stan Wawrinka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNCpN8H_uxtc3-09e_QuF3ZLKoQ9uoXzVrrcyHXSDGCSLky_bMqIgcv_ZtrCEDYCldRxDw9bxHsOFZWSFdONEjbXDYcUOvo5rGQRDrGUxdsU2T7iyXbiof914UXPfsJFINrY9tysnW7it/s1600/IMG_3832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNCpN8H_uxtc3-09e_QuF3ZLKoQ9uoXzVrrcyHXSDGCSLky_bMqIgcv_ZtrCEDYCldRxDw9bxHsOFZWSFdONEjbXDYcUOvo5rGQRDrGUxdsU2T7iyXbiof914UXPfsJFINrY9tysnW7it/s1600/IMG_3832.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniela Hantuchova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4oajbWHsE6GhyphenhyphenfnBNOVdWsPs9XF-dFPLWs30n3UD_7_mbvd-BFQZIdm-kVwdXJO6gmeeZM9sGUzTf1NSkU3wDwCoysjwvH1eCg5bRmwBgG6-SJ6ZW4htIbl_wFmKcicMsBoqkSwAB87U/s1600/IMG_3828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4oajbWHsE6GhyphenhyphenfnBNOVdWsPs9XF-dFPLWs30n3UD_7_mbvd-BFQZIdm-kVwdXJO6gmeeZM9sGUzTf1NSkU3wDwCoysjwvH1eCg5bRmwBgG6-SJ6ZW4htIbl_wFmKcicMsBoqkSwAB87U/s1600/IMG_3828.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sloane Stephens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDClm7YEo_gIB-JxXadpGNkfxCorT8y8eSNu56GZbEmiKinaj1uBty6-JvIFeDi_UMy7wjIsgBt0KJnyhjf9hEP2Hl8BFezUjSNiRuQRyd1e0RhnxCpo2XDzVjS3ypIb6lXJN7kxMXQukZ/s1600/IMG_3823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDClm7YEo_gIB-JxXadpGNkfxCorT8y8eSNu56GZbEmiKinaj1uBty6-JvIFeDi_UMy7wjIsgBt0KJnyhjf9hEP2Hl8BFezUjSNiRuQRyd1e0RhnxCpo2XDzVjS3ypIb6lXJN7kxMXQukZ/s1600/IMG_3823.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yulia Putintseva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI4A_jr2fEVPBabd6aPUAFhh8clt76pMTIK9WUMFSvNgYgDp1caJugt7hXtZcDZa3qBG1APmLbfG0Tdq4cs6Hk8hrzhbmPijbdQthDPyKNJ1yo2H3Ny8eF13tufla3HuRyQRNsjEeK4Lq/s1600/IMG_5589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI4A_jr2fEVPBabd6aPUAFhh8clt76pMTIK9WUMFSvNgYgDp1caJugt7hXtZcDZa3qBG1APmLbfG0Tdq4cs6Hk8hrzhbmPijbdQthDPyKNJ1yo2H3Ny8eF13tufla3HuRyQRNsjEeK4Lq/s1600/IMG_5589.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ana Ivanovic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit94RVx9Gt_F-nV3Tt6BwG-lwYWwXDGt8Nn2-ykAC9-HLFWg4ZUXeRtzvBu4heHAZX2TT9hh18jBOoYxLdpMORabCFE-wKyd2ieMkTwvLT9AkHKgplolZkI8PNlRjIZ4hNp8A9sqbFPmgU/s1600/IMG_5595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit94RVx9Gt_F-nV3Tt6BwG-lwYWwXDGt8Nn2-ykAC9-HLFWg4ZUXeRtzvBu4heHAZX2TT9hh18jBOoYxLdpMORabCFE-wKyd2ieMkTwvLT9AkHKgplolZkI8PNlRjIZ4hNp8A9sqbFPmgU/s1600/IMG_5595.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jelena Jankovic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVx6l0S68JqzLd4z5oqaW5LNlKkMzwNBYrm28wIqvixXfpT1ppmcSvT1kL39bagMWENUnAFoo7vFJmosQmCTTLvLeKl8zJ_VlsoVVJatD6nUdc4SjvVOTMKTOMSK2sxlvX4wnwHuXn4-G2/s1600/IMG_7309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVx6l0S68JqzLd4z5oqaW5LNlKkMzwNBYrm28wIqvixXfpT1ppmcSvT1kL39bagMWENUnAFoo7vFJmosQmCTTLvLeKl8zJ_VlsoVVJatD6nUdc4SjvVOTMKTOMSK2sxlvX4wnwHuXn4-G2/s1600/IMG_7309.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena Williams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStiodKnD1Jz5r5LEjUgke55-ZX8iQmuUofYd_63ibZJnZT_gIK2gZYQNG5G9Ceyr7WeKiVZDUVm73N_cTKpvEtmoTyt3oXOlc44tWI00xGC5QYV5fzlCeUh2MnIjMZ-yKGkBXWXot86Hu/s1600/IMG_4681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStiodKnD1Jz5r5LEjUgke55-ZX8iQmuUofYd_63ibZJnZT_gIK2gZYQNG5G9Ceyr7WeKiVZDUVm73N_cTKpvEtmoTyt3oXOlc44tWI00xGC5QYV5fzlCeUh2MnIjMZ-yKGkBXWXot86Hu/s1600/IMG_4681.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa Nadal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2zeNNbD0B_BjoXyr85O6VAKP79ZtQQTYVwkf_iCQlBODo0DOFFkIgOxhCTqFm24gIcrwRJ3rUJ9VIP6Y5KBL3yGCC2T0BaMkCg5En12Uu0PY4uj4Ywfrg6BBdwB8QDMJYQsbPrSLLa_O/s1600/IMG_7493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2zeNNbD0B_BjoXyr85O6VAKP79ZtQQTYVwkf_iCQlBODo0DOFFkIgOxhCTqFm24gIcrwRJ3rUJ9VIP6Y5KBL3yGCC2T0BaMkCg5En12Uu0PY4uj4Ywfrg6BBdwB8QDMJYQsbPrSLLa_O/s1600/IMG_7493.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa Nadal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpLdgC9pBpkcm31Q30VHDpkfT8AQ3SSoeuSCDJ244_bETpGVjpJVAL7A97aUmcpsAaMW0M-l8CO4eVVx7dxoR454ZiMWEv_2d3nBFV2yfgbWlxLflt0AwoCKifrYly5Tq7W0IexiIWSVQ/s1600/IMG_4478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpLdgC9pBpkcm31Q30VHDpkfT8AQ3SSoeuSCDJ244_bETpGVjpJVAL7A97aUmcpsAaMW0M-l8CO4eVVx7dxoR454ZiMWEv_2d3nBFV2yfgbWlxLflt0AwoCKifrYly5Tq7W0IexiIWSVQ/s1600/IMG_4478.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOCi4kumf2i_nWzcsGJyqib5Arg_YjHIzPni-d2rCa4-2FJi4MQ8SqnlmMaJR54p4hR_ZtPjeQmWfhhCxezpb9skDtpLD4y6fU3mBGvIJyCJAueGEseKB7OQbTC0N3twIhtUc2iCG_8om/s1600/IMG_4479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOCi4kumf2i_nWzcsGJyqib5Arg_YjHIzPni-d2rCa4-2FJi4MQ8SqnlmMaJR54p4hR_ZtPjeQmWfhhCxezpb9skDtpLD4y6fU3mBGvIJyCJAueGEseKB7OQbTC0N3twIhtUc2iCG_8om/s1600/IMG_4479.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angelique Kerber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wXAI2bDM5mRcD_JSPUhh1danmgTNSnN3belEOVMZarUffSlzDvWNyTBYUbsMT0mnOGQnPySkLITmh7L9xn9ykFNyQ0cZqcGxy_ibNjPijcQygyfjErP_YKYAGXrwNGLvl52dz0IKHRV9/s1600/IMG_4480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wXAI2bDM5mRcD_JSPUhh1danmgTNSnN3belEOVMZarUffSlzDvWNyTBYUbsMT0mnOGQnPySkLITmh7L9xn9ykFNyQ0cZqcGxy_ibNjPijcQygyfjErP_YKYAGXrwNGLvl52dz0IKHRV9/s1600/IMG_4480.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philipp Kohlscreiber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKmqKGJOuW2_CXhS0AZCFGlpOxnp5AmURGI7Y-cw60wFHktzTb8zt2v6TQHilF9Ifwh_Nv-JoWv99eM5uehljInMH3c7LfiAc67MrrqLhqmVXGl-QMIJuHweqe0YwlXyhS94Hx91FMWTi/s1600/IMG_4483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKmqKGJOuW2_CXhS0AZCFGlpOxnp5AmURGI7Y-cw60wFHktzTb8zt2v6TQHilF9Ifwh_Nv-JoWv99eM5uehljInMH3c7LfiAc67MrrqLhqmVXGl-QMIJuHweqe0YwlXyhS94Hx91FMWTi/s1600/IMG_4483.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Smyczek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWxWnONPRREMPN0oyv-WRpijx_8uN1YOHi0nOQr-t9iZhTBkpyGKjJz3nWqjF9PXqWbfiS5L7es8dpwLeD_NQupyW6zP1HZbN3WeyYYm8HCgBd0WZdVwPCYsbuhy7QMmHRBzLAjspwhoo/s1600/IMG_4482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWxWnONPRREMPN0oyv-WRpijx_8uN1YOHi0nOQr-t9iZhTBkpyGKjJz3nWqjF9PXqWbfiS5L7es8dpwLeD_NQupyW6zP1HZbN3WeyYYm8HCgBd0WZdVwPCYsbuhy7QMmHRBzLAjspwhoo/s1600/IMG_4482.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mardy Fish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5It-jNKkP1pLMeya6LO0CVa32nfLdtiFioJM4SGsE-F3P3umErugS0MrMH4AZHTZ3wXfVi9bu3dM9cDAo9zTAxtseo_H5iX0gYwnjMDEKrB2wMQjx7peiEDOp3yzi9Ph-baL8zLWHYDj/s1600/IMG_4484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5It-jNKkP1pLMeya6LO0CVa32nfLdtiFioJM4SGsE-F3P3umErugS0MrMH4AZHTZ3wXfVi9bu3dM9cDAo9zTAxtseo_H5iX0gYwnjMDEKrB2wMQjx7peiEDOp3yzi9Ph-baL8zLWHYDj/s1600/IMG_4484.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcos Bagdatis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdQ1_eK3M12bS-C79alFyYHkwxpv6gyfnWRS2lDrNAqAykNI6yMLRpHKqpQ6FHCvLh25qXxarrKR-3xBXpxkHmmhlx3PlYxgI4Bt12sJWPivtLSxOBYRivI2-i6zRWO85b2skIndipF9f/s1600/IMG_4485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdQ1_eK3M12bS-C79alFyYHkwxpv6gyfnWRS2lDrNAqAykNI6yMLRpHKqpQ6FHCvLh25qXxarrKR-3xBXpxkHmmhlx3PlYxgI4Bt12sJWPivtLSxOBYRivI2-i6zRWO85b2skIndipF9f/s1600/IMG_4485.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karolina Pliskova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIICVIVhoUv3Q6fm1tAw2n4ImUhS2xmJeJ_l9E53IljSUGmFP3r29SkszYI4_VOIFjJ4ZF6_PLEJdtbUo6geahAg6j2Z5VYbI7S1oTOlgOAXtXyqR7cFTnFcmECklZQFRUQnEpdmYIXDe7/s1600/IMG_4486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIICVIVhoUv3Q6fm1tAw2n4ImUhS2xmJeJ_l9E53IljSUGmFP3r29SkszYI4_VOIFjJ4ZF6_PLEJdtbUo6geahAg6j2Z5VYbI7S1oTOlgOAXtXyqR7cFTnFcmECklZQFRUQnEpdmYIXDe7/s1600/IMG_4486.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alize Cornet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCqjOdC5GHEtr-r2dMI6s8bbv3P2NngjI7-uPCxC1jeVv7LI9CbuQ_xblchOPVYtgHpXam_I5-yM0-dCua5Bwbtyqfup0YVTYVBm8WUFjn5Js7qEcoE01atxncJl_IbR2cznzNiyMaZVD/s1600/IMG_4487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCqjOdC5GHEtr-r2dMI6s8bbv3P2NngjI7-uPCxC1jeVv7LI9CbuQ_xblchOPVYtgHpXam_I5-yM0-dCua5Bwbtyqfup0YVTYVBm8WUFjn5Js7qEcoE01atxncJl_IbR2cznzNiyMaZVD/s1600/IMG_4487.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger Federer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjHM00j1iHBNUyaktT3Lcl4-sS09YRf3WfbK6V2jF54CXeNweboszLp5Ci9qESjGvA3y58-fA_rpRPku3EpHQjZ6BYP4Y7O4yHZvLM37OSYB8GAvccGUsqic0kiBEVXpKupb8vbaiCFD4/s1600/IMG_4488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjHM00j1iHBNUyaktT3Lcl4-sS09YRf3WfbK6V2jF54CXeNweboszLp5Ci9qESjGvA3y58-fA_rpRPku3EpHQjZ6BYP4Y7O4yHZvLM37OSYB8GAvccGUsqic0kiBEVXpKupb8vbaiCFD4/s1600/IMG_4488.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger Federer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYVGMFT9JM2fGg2KVTQG4lM5dPvGL_4sygT-rKuIezFFzoFiWtqS7Et4LrIQg-OGOwaG5fcYUCbfy1r0k7AhpY9TMRV6kkBOXFyRNkOTjXnwzVDRzc4OmR_5DnafZZOVgC00jfZuaF9JG/s1600/IMG_4490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYVGMFT9JM2fGg2KVTQG4lM5dPvGL_4sygT-rKuIezFFzoFiWtqS7Et4LrIQg-OGOwaG5fcYUCbfy1r0k7AhpY9TMRV6kkBOXFyRNkOTjXnwzVDRzc4OmR_5DnafZZOVgC00jfZuaF9JG/s1600/IMG_4490.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve Johnson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyP00hUN8NiIoSZBPmaIn-syBMCvD42Z2763sTHfiy4uoiwAW2qxu4Zzzytsebc3rCn22r3oiacMr-pnc6E1vbMzdwne0X3Xgjmx3xy43XV4FSuYmclbmJlaZ4WwzkoTsXPUU2jaQ_2kmn/s1600/IMG_4494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyP00hUN8NiIoSZBPmaIn-syBMCvD42Z2763sTHfiy4uoiwAW2qxu4Zzzytsebc3rCn22r3oiacMr-pnc6E1vbMzdwne0X3Xgjmx3xy43XV4FSuYmclbmJlaZ4WwzkoTsXPUU2jaQ_2kmn/s1600/IMG_4494.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa Nadal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73YKN9H1bZi6DnJj5WTu3qfh5mESBtd4maCsXeMSdLM68xtHy9FkE8mwKwTQ1exUQwxtfSvuwjQrIoFtwWx0LdQyurjYWfe5pwAEj8ee8-_Qy7FaPgsJq_2AkOkQHWQ_17ppppypDy-_8/s1600/IMG_4495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73YKN9H1bZi6DnJj5WTu3qfh5mESBtd4maCsXeMSdLM68xtHy9FkE8mwKwTQ1exUQwxtfSvuwjQrIoFtwWx0LdQyurjYWfe5pwAEj8ee8-_Qy7FaPgsJq_2AkOkQHWQ_17ppppypDy-_8/s1600/IMG_4495.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kei Nishikori</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMlC6kZKPQ0y_KwqcCRDj1p236pE0PVY4iLV6OKqEW5b2q_nypAgbOC7qQ-8CpVoAGEiAlUj7ja2c295i1VphQGMe5ic_vdn5frm32E-7Kj58IDXKNZM3GF1A0Hcoym4-a15RzwxVdcaR/s1600/IMG_4491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMlC6kZKPQ0y_KwqcCRDj1p236pE0PVY4iLV6OKqEW5b2q_nypAgbOC7qQ-8CpVoAGEiAlUj7ja2c295i1VphQGMe5ic_vdn5frm32E-7Kj58IDXKNZM3GF1A0Hcoym4-a15RzwxVdcaR/s1600/IMG_4491.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vasek Pospisil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUP2CRFBJyUADr0eR4xlLBrFy5IdloIUfbi7wxC0vP6TZPAJcIDVsxO6x18zdw3mtpNjjLlIO_F5apSBiD3mSPn6uZP9py-YPtzqCnhyphenhyphenKZMfDkoYbpi1BBXc_O4RCvILKP-T3U9Z1KOPY/s1600/IMG_4493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUP2CRFBJyUADr0eR4xlLBrFy5IdloIUfbi7wxC0vP6TZPAJcIDVsxO6x18zdw3mtpNjjLlIO_F5apSBiD3mSPn6uZP9py-YPtzqCnhyphenhyphenKZMfDkoYbpi1BBXc_O4RCvILKP-T3U9Z1KOPY/s1600/IMG_4493.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa Nadal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g0dlPgeCvA1D8R5LDJlOXEOe4RhN8zMniSHZdXj2xC4Vzj6aQBt-h8CiHWO_jA9qgkuoaPrCAoOeDFpep6lZPnJy2TfRHOAtXHEt-2JzdbiIQIoBXCNbmhnYCDhLA22vEIsTFCDRWYb9/s1600/IMG_4492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g0dlPgeCvA1D8R5LDJlOXEOe4RhN8zMniSHZdXj2xC4Vzj6aQBt-h8CiHWO_jA9qgkuoaPrCAoOeDFpep6lZPnJy2TfRHOAtXHEt-2JzdbiIQIoBXCNbmhnYCDhLA22vEIsTFCDRWYb9/s1600/IMG_4492.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa Nadal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCeW3QPEzaEKq7XqWG6I05vStr5SWoK5FJUqOhkZoU3AkiSvIvewnlaxuyKvl0x-rweQWXDGKGPT9voFEzKYdNitsY8fVzqKcsdCTNV-t8fgyjFRAu9Uy511JjFQk1IsVDh3gxE0KY5yJ/s1600/IMG_4496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCeW3QPEzaEKq7XqWG6I05vStr5SWoK5FJUqOhkZoU3AkiSvIvewnlaxuyKvl0x-rweQWXDGKGPT9voFEzKYdNitsY8fVzqKcsdCTNV-t8fgyjFRAu9Uy511JjFQk1IsVDh3gxE0KY5yJ/s1600/IMG_4496.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Ferrer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggW0Qz8aoY3QVmfanhDd6W3QAblN4YBQA-VVYUQMw8t0nAZ146d_SHp_B6gSYcaDz1F8-6gv4ViOAf40enkCn-Wv5cjNGSnP2w1BIGpB6cSTvdNg64af_xlhL3Nj-xIvtxH21L8u7CpqDY/s1600/IMG_4500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggW0Qz8aoY3QVmfanhDd6W3QAblN4YBQA-VVYUQMw8t0nAZ146d_SHp_B6gSYcaDz1F8-6gv4ViOAf40enkCn-Wv5cjNGSnP2w1BIGpB6cSTvdNg64af_xlhL3Nj-xIvtxH21L8u7CpqDY/s1600/IMG_4500.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madison Keys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsogSji9Ar4Upmwtxb_XMGTnQKQFObtCQfvYYtx5uZoUBYckoWvTbbL5EGwnTSROBdxCoqc5I025mwbQbV3jCoapT7Aqh1v6UM3WT67AgzdOXVxMPDmkavJdy938PPqerdhMWWkj39QhrC/s1600/IMG_4501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsogSji9Ar4Upmwtxb_XMGTnQKQFObtCQfvYYtx5uZoUBYckoWvTbbL5EGwnTSROBdxCoqc5I025mwbQbV3jCoapT7Aqh1v6UM3WT67AgzdOXVxMPDmkavJdy938PPqerdhMWWkj39QhrC/s1600/IMG_4501.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lindsay Davenport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVfXi8uI0CanOck51_asm-wgAB7rZx9YFfBl5QSgJV8JQVfjtGgC1b4w0EjiK7MNvtNJi3uALCFwtDR28xAvuAwf4isUkeIiQb4A8Rs-I767uzuOrWDXFZexcTQx4H4uTkE3wNkFDf_1z/s1600/IMG_4498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVfXi8uI0CanOck51_asm-wgAB7rZx9YFfBl5QSgJV8JQVfjtGgC1b4w0EjiK7MNvtNJi3uALCFwtDR28xAvuAwf4isUkeIiQb4A8Rs-I767uzuOrWDXFZexcTQx4H4uTkE3wNkFDf_1z/s1600/IMG_4498.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grigor Dimitrov</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpB1KxcCIoD2XejYfOq2A_192P9JDYj8-FpdPgq8hxTEFrerlEk5rF1OaLiKiNYXHTVJw_F2AjzHhKzBPf2dF5nVBVx0JEqYl-cHi-BshowaI8K201bxVIWCSCI-ENy3rY0yCrrpmTSnJ/s1600/IMG_4502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpB1KxcCIoD2XejYfOq2A_192P9JDYj8-FpdPgq8hxTEFrerlEk5rF1OaLiKiNYXHTVJw_F2AjzHhKzBPf2dF5nVBVx0JEqYl-cHi-BshowaI8K201bxVIWCSCI-ENy3rY0yCrrpmTSnJ/s1600/IMG_4502.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simona Halep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-UnaxTqqcGflKBKT1FPRB3EW7RhageZmLcLGh-So2F5pCsTe7-bf3xCarnzHJuKfxtpGVBTiCGCTeaa0f_wK-FkRmPePKSCeyxQuCHtGEVZ2cXwzR5NuHxiGvwtqH82wDtcB9KJsfYJD/s1600/IMG_4503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-UnaxTqqcGflKBKT1FPRB3EW7RhageZmLcLGh-So2F5pCsTe7-bf3xCarnzHJuKfxtpGVBTiCGCTeaa0f_wK-FkRmPePKSCeyxQuCHtGEVZ2cXwzR5NuHxiGvwtqH82wDtcB9KJsfYJD/s1600/IMG_4503.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monica Puig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVehz6lV845Wm5f5rxvBIzIs7_afF447ZCUWd49jQOIQJU4xKm75-8M61iaVxXclVnhZ5qh3BlgbOK2htbbcLrstqTB8zEgsTCweuAZJ4SW-I37__RU9QyFCY7mJylW3jhF2DIUcvFqe-Q/s1600/IMG_4504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVehz6lV845Wm5f5rxvBIzIs7_afF447ZCUWd49jQOIQJU4xKm75-8M61iaVxXclVnhZ5qh3BlgbOK2htbbcLrstqTB8zEgsTCweuAZJ4SW-I37__RU9QyFCY7mJylW3jhF2DIUcvFqe-Q/s1600/IMG_4504.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Novak Djokovic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tyzbzEauRO9159wIJ6YXy9yEHNeYKIbSmhjUd3vnwg05mpEGFX-G4zfIL9RzSqZkjRFIXEt1jrmuYxx3nmD5z65DQ3FWk7QrhEEI1lVwA-loRdeqjyhru-pPgK35dAATeqlfm2cVRPAJ/s1600/IMG_4499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tyzbzEauRO9159wIJ6YXy9yEHNeYKIbSmhjUd3vnwg05mpEGFX-G4zfIL9RzSqZkjRFIXEt1jrmuYxx3nmD5z65DQ3FWk7QrhEEI1lVwA-loRdeqjyhru-pPgK35dAATeqlfm2cVRPAJ/s1600/IMG_4499.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena Williams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3LjTHBB3pEY0P2iq-CLCkNNOKF9_nOs5bnn83ur9ru1H1E7B-89FXonQnt5zDS_GVPOjQahUqx_9Xl7ai99tapGcT2d7QWv_dFI7TAixILs9tpvB1m5EjDQScJYy0NHzdqA0OnEPa1dN/s1600/IMG_4678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3LjTHBB3pEY0P2iq-CLCkNNOKF9_nOs5bnn83ur9ru1H1E7B-89FXonQnt5zDS_GVPOjQahUqx_9Xl7ai99tapGcT2d7QWv_dFI7TAixILs9tpvB1m5EjDQScJYy0NHzdqA0OnEPa1dN/s1600/IMG_4678.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Novak Djokovic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Iox3_LXyXJzSwh_PGgqsuf1OEjBRrcYGB6mOjtMI17PCEYtMtROOAe4IdWNZ_b3YYXGlGISl2w2kK58kelYnxGk4sT3RpnMcof8LniDYRaMoHjzsqHrVMu9BjxUuR78ITExd0XGb45r5/s1600/IMG_4679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Iox3_LXyXJzSwh_PGgqsuf1OEjBRrcYGB6mOjtMI17PCEYtMtROOAe4IdWNZ_b3YYXGlGISl2w2kK58kelYnxGk4sT3RpnMcof8LniDYRaMoHjzsqHrVMu9BjxUuR78ITExd0XGb45r5/s1600/IMG_4679.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fernando Verdsaco (sans shirt, naturally)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48zIXDCGxyMg5mxp_NAGQfc6NjcQ2KlW5yqH2Uy0AcXtOhUrJYbmUPRleIxG-me9FAjLfCnnuX0w-Od3s3S5OpqnSy47Wp0ImOEhdCoMSokCUROLcOVCriGL-iD-QQaXNKrP-XVmcLM8U/s1600/IMG_4682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48zIXDCGxyMg5mxp_NAGQfc6NjcQ2KlW5yqH2Uy0AcXtOhUrJYbmUPRleIxG-me9FAjLfCnnuX0w-Od3s3S5OpqnSy47Wp0ImOEhdCoMSokCUROLcOVCriGL-iD-QQaXNKrP-XVmcLM8U/s1600/IMG_4682.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vera Zvonareva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_c-OOIszZSvIqoXL2ZyA55SBODNARtw4E-9Qekqcx0EYM8bW5gLnqaZjvLoqHjfCP7kp25EIPPRxPTJT6NEPdYXHdgOs4-Xw9Q0uoL3TjU-pJYpNNqpRBy4cRxGl5HDeMTJPYHW1IQYjA/s1600/IMG_4687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_c-OOIszZSvIqoXL2ZyA55SBODNARtw4E-9Qekqcx0EYM8bW5gLnqaZjvLoqHjfCP7kp25EIPPRxPTJT6NEPdYXHdgOs4-Xw9Q0uoL3TjU-pJYpNNqpRBy4cRxGl5HDeMTJPYHW1IQYjA/s1600/IMG_4687.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coco Vandeweghe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpmP7jrU_yyUi5dRZCNxsmGmF0eZ2f6XKxqpwv-yBirN4qpE4Ve7w7A372d_5OZ6H-KHr1p7Lyd7pXt7jyedf-uL_F6LyAvnmwhaTVKpfKpQRHB_ofnsx9KP8t6KCgITEvsR-2wuOpoEV/s1600/IMG_4686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpmP7jrU_yyUi5dRZCNxsmGmF0eZ2f6XKxqpwv-yBirN4qpE4Ve7w7A372d_5OZ6H-KHr1p7Lyd7pXt7jyedf-uL_F6LyAvnmwhaTVKpfKpQRHB_ofnsx9KP8t6KCgITEvsR-2wuOpoEV/s1600/IMG_4686.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flavia Pennetta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbrjqXy1ToTSkPB59QmrmBw95HrLCf3Z1pvzi12u0OF5HippuqlsEAtwsz6CvI-0VPb5KW5-xOQiBlw11ljE2zDvDAZOSPbYpt1_dyE5rg5wXUrQlGHGyS3Fw7PQZsGHbInBfZcgdCl2i/s1600/IMG_4689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbrjqXy1ToTSkPB59QmrmBw95HrLCf3Z1pvzi12u0OF5HippuqlsEAtwsz6CvI-0VPb5KW5-xOQiBlw11ljE2zDvDAZOSPbYpt1_dyE5rg5wXUrQlGHGyS3Fw7PQZsGHbInBfZcgdCl2i/s1600/IMG_4689.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grigor Dimitrov</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtThAleMjkxmBVxaGNdYPLtSdK8hVVcdo-X8WLWs94_jaMn9JP-4_mzTLavEhMILqB7K4M9XVIFrOVbE6ubjmUOBRzgFOj2njZZuTIPyeCWUmi3LeAb702-n-XAl2YayVZ3h0sdAnZDuVR/s1600/IMG_4962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtThAleMjkxmBVxaGNdYPLtSdK8hVVcdo-X8WLWs94_jaMn9JP-4_mzTLavEhMILqB7K4M9XVIFrOVbE6ubjmUOBRzgFOj2njZZuTIPyeCWUmi3LeAb702-n-XAl2YayVZ3h0sdAnZDuVR/s1600/IMG_4962.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simona Halep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLJwr55oS7juKzzY42-_f33JaynabZZrryC-m-ZpjAH_rE4gDBMyZ5bjwHqFUdkinopYUVd2bBOiAkCTzD9qxPOyGux65EAnyXJ63KoYfXBR-iDzTzJDnRaipw-pkQhKiGcqvvBPoshaS/s1600/IMG_4963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLJwr55oS7juKzzY42-_f33JaynabZZrryC-m-ZpjAH_rE4gDBMyZ5bjwHqFUdkinopYUVd2bBOiAkCTzD9qxPOyGux65EAnyXJ63KoYfXBR-iDzTzJDnRaipw-pkQhKiGcqvvBPoshaS/s1600/IMG_4963.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daria Gavrilova</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtOud0eePOxRQaUicU3glSEPDzOhaDkCKuuUdpNdtrk1qooYmK5MzcCsPfqdG7y0Dan8LEqj6MEMgQPU8RLqUdWcWf4RS8LUrQB74BGj8qajk_rgncXQypvPnUiFgKcl0TADP5VCfy02X/s1600/IMG_4964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtOud0eePOxRQaUicU3glSEPDzOhaDkCKuuUdpNdtrk1qooYmK5MzcCsPfqdG7y0Dan8LEqj6MEMgQPU8RLqUdWcWf4RS8LUrQB74BGj8qajk_rgncXQypvPnUiFgKcl0TADP5VCfy02X/s1600/IMG_4964.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simona Halep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56SSAzab_djQYt-tyEfbjTb07qdjSuGkaHkhW-iWm1H9-01PHUq7UmsoBNB8ufAtFmJUavBQ610rqMfVSYl2H55QH-rUfEITODEvsTw6zv2BpoXrUi5U6eTYtKC-tUk5AuTVi7OaSjCoM/s1600/IMG_4966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56SSAzab_djQYt-tyEfbjTb07qdjSuGkaHkhW-iWm1H9-01PHUq7UmsoBNB8ufAtFmJUavBQ610rqMfVSYl2H55QH-rUfEITODEvsTw6zv2BpoXrUi5U6eTYtKC-tUk5AuTVi7OaSjCoM/s1600/IMG_4966.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simona Halep</td></tr>
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Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859386746474261001noreply@blogger.com0