"When You're Moving There's No Ground Beneath You"

Attending our first professional tennis tournament at the 2023 Western & Southern Cincinnati Open in Mason, OH, was an unforgettable experience.

My wife and I are huge tennis enthusiasts, both in terms of playing and watching the sport, and we'd heard about Cincinnati's rich history in the professional tennis circuit.  When we discovered that it was just a manageable 5-hour drive from our home in Chicago, we decided to make it a thrilling day trip.

As we arrived at the tournament, the anticipation and excitement were palpable. The atmosphere was electric, with tennis fans from all around the world coming together to celebrate the sport we love. We immediately knew we were part of something special.

One of the highlights of the day was the fantastic vantage points we had within the stadium. Our seats were strategically positioned, offering a clear view of the court and allowing us to soak in every thrilling moment of the matches.

Speaking of matches, we were treated to some incredible tennis action.  In the women's semifinals, we witnessed a fierce battle between Karolína Muchová and Aryna Sabalenka. The intensity and skill on display were awe-inspiring, with Muchová pulling off the upset!

However, what truly stood out was the men's semifinals. We had the privilege of watching "the future of tennis" when Carlos Alcaraz faced off against Hubert Hurkacz. The young Alcaraz was like watching a ballet, displaying a level of talent and determination that left us speechless.

But the evening's entertainment reached its zenith when we saw "the GOAT of tennis," Novak Djokovic, taking on Alexander Zverev, in another thrilling semifinal match. Djokovic's precision and Zverev's resilience made for a mesmerizing contest that had the entire stadium on the edge of their seats.

As the match neared its conclusion, Djokovic was serving to secure his victory when, in an unexpected twist, distracting fireworks began to light up the sky at an amusement park across the highway.

Djokovic, known for his focus, was visibly perturbed by the unanticipated spectacle.  The crowd couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of the situation, as even Novak couldn't escape the whims of fireworks during his match.  Ultimately, Djokovic managed to maintain his composure and secure the win...humorously LAUNCHING a ball in the direction of the amusement park, following match point.

While our day at the Cincinnati Open was filled with incredible tennis and unforgettable moments, there was one misstep that we couldn't help but laugh about afterward.  It turned out that we had made the somewhat costly mistake of buying relatively expensive tickets.  We assumed that our prime seats would offer the best view of the action and that we'd be surrounded by passionate fans who shared our enthusiasm.

However, what we soon realized was that many of the savvy patrons at the tournament had a different strategy. They had purchased cheaper seats in the nosebleed sections and then cleverly circulated throughout the matches, almost like a game of musical chairs. It was amusing to watch as people moved closer and closer to the court as the day went on, creating a dynamic atmosphere where fans mingled freely, sharing their love for tennis and discussing the matches.

Another aspect that caught us off guard was how the venue managed the sessions. They were set up to be split into day and night sessions, but we weren't immediately privy to which players would be participating in each session. So, if you had a particular player you were eager to see, it became apparent that calling ahead or checking the schedule in advance was essential. We hadn't done our homework on this aspect. and we found ourselves paying for BOTH sessions to see Alcaraz and Djokovic's matches; even though they played one right after the other.

Despite these minor hiccups, our experience at the tournament was still overwhelmingly positive.  We realized that in the world of tennis fandom, the quality of the match and the thrill of being close to the action often trumped the price of admission.  It was a valuable lesson in the importance of flexibility and adaptability when attending major sporting events, and it only added to the adventure and fun of our day at the Cincinnati Open.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

Mason, Ohio

• Seeing our first professional tennis matches
  • Muchová vs. Sabalenka
  • Alcaraz vs. Hurkacz
  • Djokovic vs. Zverev
• Interactive fan experience with good food/bev vendors

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• CAUTION before buying tickets.  Being our first time we didn't know patrons tend to skirt the rules by purchasing cheaper seats, and moving about during the matches (security was fairly lax, unless they blatantly caught people)
• Your ticket comes with parking on site, so no need to pay for parking elsewhere
• Bring lots of sunscreen, lip balm, and rain gear.  This year's tournament experienced all types of these weather extremes.