BB&T Atlanta Open Tennis Action
Ask any aspiring tennis player and they’ll tell you that all roads, in some form or fashion, lead to New York City’s US Open. One of the most important tournaments in the world, the Open has everyone from No. 1 Novak Djokovic to No. 500 Marcus Daniell aspiring to shine under its intimidating lights. Luckily for the tennis faithful not blessed with a wicked backhand, they too have their path to Queens, and it’s called the Emirates Airline US Open Series. This docket of tennis events around the country gives fans a chance to see many of the planet’s top players in some of the most electric venues in America. Read on for an itinerary of five Series stops that includes off-the-court events and high-end hotels to relax in after all of the racquet racket has calmed for the night.
BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlanta, Through July 27
What To Know
While admittedly unsubstantiated, we’d be willing to bet that this event’s setting of the parking lot at popular retail-residential space Atlantic Station is one of the tour’s oddest configurations. We’d also go out on a limb and say it’s one of its coolest, too, despite Atlanta’s usual 90-degree temperatures in late July. Things will likely heat up even more this session as the animated Gael Monfils joins a roster of players that includes ’13 BB&T Open champ John Isner, world No. 14 Richard Gasquet and crowd favorite Sam Querrey.
What To Do
The city always seems to have something festive going on — a Wynton Marsalis concert at Atlanta Symphony Hall (July 25) and the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival at Piedmont Park (July 26) highlight BB&T week. But for something a bit more fitting to the occasion, keep it at Atlantic Station for Movies in Central Park’s free July 24 screening of Wimbledon, the 2004 comedy starring Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany.
Where To Stay
Only 1.1 miles from the temporary courts sits Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta. A winner any time of the year with its decidedly chic décor and savory dining at Four-Star Park 75, the midtown hotel is especially appealing these days because of its Special Occasion package that includes luxe accommodations, chocolate-covered strawberries, a bottle of sparkling wine and breakfast for two.
Bank of the West Classic, Palo Alto, July 28-August 3
What to Know
The state of California’s performance in May’s NCAA men’s and women’s tennis tournaments shows just how important the sport is to the West Coast — USC won the men’s crown and UCLA took the women’s. But the fervor for forehands isn’t reserved for the amateurs; in fact, things actually could be more intense in the professional ranks. Always boasting an impressive field, the lineup for the ’14 installment of the Bank of the West Classic may smash them all as last year’s champ Dominika Cibulková battles the likes of world No. 1 Serena Williams, Ana Ivanovic and the just-committed Agnieszka Radwańska for portions of $710,000 in prize money.
What to Do
With mega festivals such as Bottle Rock and Outside Lands on the area’s annual calendar, it’s understandable how a music event like the admission-free Stern Grove Festival would get somewhat muted. But that doesn’t mean two months of complimentary weekend concerts (through August 24) don’t have their place around the bay. Sigmund Stern Grove amphitheater sits about 40 minutes from Stanford’s campus, so you won’t hear tunes from the tournament, but with Rufus Wainwright and Andrew Bird & The Hands of Glory headlining on July 27 and August 3 respectively, you’re destined to hear all about the performances afterward.
Where to Stay
Roughly a mile from the fierce Bank of the West action sits Four-Star Garden Court Hotel. While you’ll love its proximity to the tournament, it’s the Romantic Rendezvous promotion — deluxe luxury king accommodations, a bottle of bubbly or wine, rose petals, artisanal sweet treats, morning pastries and late check-out — that will truly have you enamored.
Western & Southern Open, Cincinnati, August 9-17
What to Know
The finals of the ’13 Western & Southern Open featured the two singles champions of the 2013 US Open. Nadal defeated Isner en route to winning both tournaments. Serena Williams was the runner-up in Cincinnati to world No. 10 Victoria Azarenka, but she would end up getting her revenge in New York City. While we can’t promise that marquee matchup in this year’s Western & Southern Open final, we can guarantee another top-shelf roster of entrants (Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have all confirmed attendance) prepping for Queens and a great crowd to rival the record 186,000 who showed up for last year’s excitement.
What to Do
The Lindner Family Tennis Center, home of the Western & Southern Open, is serving up a special event that is sure to be a smash hit with fashion lovers. Night on the Runway (August 13) will feature a fashion show, pop-up boutique shopping market, complimentary wine tastings, dinner and, maybe, a celebrity sighting — former supermodel Cheryl Tiegs appeared at last year’s showcase.
Where to Stay
Located in the heart of downtown, Forbes-Recommended The Cincinnatian Hotel is a must-stay for any well-heeled visitor. The black-and-white marble stairs and worn oak banisters are just a couple of features that add to the historic vibe of the 132-year-old property. And luckily, the popular tourist spot Fountain Square, where numerous restaurants, theaters and nightspots are located, is within walking distance from your room.
Connecticut Open, New Haven, CT, August 15-23
What to Know
The Connecticut Open is the final tournament in a string of North American women’s events before the US Open. Past champions at the Connecticut classic include Venus Williams, Steffi Graf, Justine Henin and Jennifer Capriati. This year, five of the top 20 ranked players in the world have already committed to play, including last year’s singles winner Simona Halep and four-time champ Caroline Wozniacki.
What to Do
Watching some of the greatest strokes can be an art in itself, but if you want to see the best of New Haven’s more traditional works, look no further than the Yale University Art Gallery. The establishment features pieces that range from American snapshots (Jazz Lives: The Photographs of Lee Friedlander and Milt Hinton) to Indo-Pacific art (East of the Wallace Line: Monumental Art from Indonesia and New Guinea, starting August 15). The free gallery is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Where to Stay
The newly renovated Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale is located in the middle of The Elm City’s downtown area, in walking distance of the Ivy League school’s historic campus. So when it’s time to take a break from all the tournament action, stop by the hotel’s JoBella Salon and Spa for a 75-minute seaweed body wrap or 90-minute Swedish massage.
US Open, New York City, August 25-September 8
Four Seasons Hotel New York
What to Know
Serena is looking to not only defend her singles crown, but win it for the third consecutive year. While Williams’ reign as titleholder might not change anytime soon, numerous alterations are currently underway as part of a $550-million renovation to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. For starters, a 200,000-square-foot retractable roof is being added to Arthur Ashe Stadium and will be completed by 2017, and a new, 15,000-seat Louis Armstrong court will be erected by the 2018 US Open. But the biggest addition that will be ready for this year’s festivities is a two-story viewing gallery above practice courts and remodeled courts 4, 5 and 6 that can accommodate more than 1,000 fans.
What to Do
When you are not watching the premier tourney at the tennis center, make the short walk over to Citi Field to catch a New York Mets game. You’ll probably want to attend the showdown with their division rival, the Philadelphia Phillies. The first 20,000 people in attendance will receive a Curtis Granderson bobblehead.
Where to Stay
When you come to New York City, head to the grand Four Seasons Hotel New York. At 52 stories high, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Midtown East hotel is more than 700 feet tall. Standout features such as a Four-Star spa, decadent dining at forest-inspired The Garden restaurant and a 5,000-square-foot gym help to fill every corner of the posh address. Plus, Big Apple favorites such as Central Park and the Museum of Modern Art are nearby.
Photos Courtesy of Bill Kallenberg-BB&T Atlanta Open and Four Seasons New York-Peter Vitale
