For the world’s top tennis players it was au revoir Paris, and hello Mason.Qualifying play began at the 125th Cincinnati Open, serving up the fun and excitement of one of the world’s greatest tennis events at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.Jeff Ervin was among the tennis fans who poured into the grounds of the Lindner Family Tennis Center to enjoy the atmosphere and tennis.”The openness,” Ervin said was his favorite part of coming to the Cincinnati Open. “It gives you a chance to actually mingle with the pro players and actually speak to them and get an autograph — just to see their greatness.”Community Day and Kids’ Day served as the perfect kickoff to the tournament by introducing the sport to the next generation of young fans and someday champions. Jim Amick of the U.S. Tennis Association hosted hundreds of young tennis enthusiasts at the center court.”They get to try on-court activities. They get to play where the pros play. On top of that, we have fun activities off the court, too,” Amick said. Drills featuring Belarusian tennis pro Victoria Azarenka showcased the up-close intimacy and access which has been a signature of the facility. She was not shy about interacting with fans, and the tradition of seeing the tennis stars themselves sign autographs on tennis balls appeared to delight attendees of all ages.”This ball is for when the players walk in. You can stand out there and we can hold the ball up and give them the marker, and then they sign it,” said one young fan who had gotten a tennis ball autographed earlier in the day.From the food to the entertainment to additional practice courts and grandstand amenities, improvements sparkled around every corner of the campus, drawing returning tennis fans from around the corner to across the country.All the stars of the tennis world have come back to Mason from Paris — and that other Eifel Tower — to now have another overlooking them at the Cincinnati Open this week.
For the world’s top tennis players it was au revoir Paris, and hello Mason.
Qualifying play began at the 125th Cincinnati Open, serving up the fun and excitement of one of the world’s greatest tennis events at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
Jeff Ervin was among the tennis fans who poured into the grounds of the Lindner Family Tennis Center to enjoy the atmosphere and tennis.
“The openness,” Ervin said was his favorite part of coming to the Cincinnati Open. “It gives you a chance to actually mingle with the pro players and actually speak to them and get an autograph — just to see their greatness.”
Community Day and Kids’ Day served as the perfect kickoff to the tournament by introducing the sport to the next generation of young fans and someday champions. Jim Amick of the U.S. Tennis Association hosted hundreds of young tennis enthusiasts at the center court.
“They get to try on-court activities. They get to play where the pros play. On top of that, we have fun activities off the court, too,” Amick said.
Drills featuring Belarusian tennis pro Victoria Azarenka showcased the up-close intimacy and access which has been a signature of the facility. She was not shy about interacting with fans, and the tradition of seeing the tennis stars themselves sign autographs on tennis balls appeared to delight attendees of all ages.
“This ball is for when the players walk in. You can stand out there and we can hold the ball up and give them the marker, and then they sign it,” said one young fan who had gotten a tennis ball autographed earlier in the day.
From the food to the entertainment to additional practice courts and grandstand amenities, improvements sparkled around every corner of the campus, drawing returning tennis fans from around the corner to across the country.
All the stars of the tennis world have come back to Mason from Paris — and that other Eifel Tower — to now have another overlooking them at the Cincinnati Open this week.
