Red is always a hot fashion color no matter where you are in the world, and depending on which culture you're enjoying, red also has many meanings and provides a great deal of symbolism. But, the red I'm talking about can only be seen in just a few places in the world - mostly Europe and South America. Yes, I am talking about the beautiful and gentle red clay tennis courts that dot major cities on these two continents and for about an eight week period become the stage for a different kind of gladiator.
If you're heading to Europe, and you happen to be a huge tennis fan like me, then you already know where all the great tournaments are. But for those who are not die-hard fans and want to see a bit of sport as they wander across the European continent - taking in a pro tennis tournament right now might be one of the highlights of your trip.
The Spring Clay Court season is just underway for both the men's and the women's tour beginning this week in Monte Carlo and culminating at the end of May with the French Open in Paris. In between, you can see tournaments in Rome, Madrid, Valencia, Bucharest, Nice, Munich, Barcelona and Dusseldorf; women's tournaments are also held in Brussels, Stuttgart and Strasbourg. For dates and locations, click on the drop down menus on the home page of the ATP World Tour website.
In many cases, you can pick up tickets at the gate, especially for the smaller city tournaments. But, if you want to visit The French Open or the Masters 1000 tournaments in Rome, Madrid and Monte Carlo, buy your tickets online beforehand. Monte Carlo is going on this week with three of the 'Big 4" in play this week - Djokovic, Nadal and Murray. My favorite, Roger Federer won't rejoin his colleagues until Madrid, starting the first week in May.
If you're lucky enough to be there during the French Open, you will likely only be able to get general admission tickets but there's plenty to see the first week and though the middle weekend. Oh, and did I mention that besides great tennis, the French Open offers some of the most delicious 'stadium food' in the world? Be sure to get a burger and frites - you'll never feel the same way about a good ol' burger and fries again.
Take advantage of this while you can, as in June the players move to grass courts for a very short season that ends with Wimbledon. You can also see a grass court tournament in the US - at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI, which begins on Wednesday, July 8th, following The Championships. From this point on, the players will be in the US for our hard court season that culminates with the US Open in late August/early September. I'll be enjoying the 'Big 4' in Cincinnati as usual.
There you have it - enjoy Spring and be sure to see some red, while you're at it!
PS: There are plenty of public and private club clay courts throughout Europe available for play - why not check out the red clay up close? Just remember to slide!
If you're heading to Europe, and you happen to be a huge tennis fan like me, then you already know where all the great tournaments are. But for those who are not die-hard fans and want to see a bit of sport as they wander across the European continent - taking in a pro tennis tournament right now might be one of the highlights of your trip.
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| Roger Federer at French Open 2009 Courtesy of guardian.co.uk |
In many cases, you can pick up tickets at the gate, especially for the smaller city tournaments. But, if you want to visit The French Open or the Masters 1000 tournaments in Rome, Madrid and Monte Carlo, buy your tickets online beforehand. Monte Carlo is going on this week with three of the 'Big 4" in play this week - Djokovic, Nadal and Murray. My favorite, Roger Federer won't rejoin his colleagues until Madrid, starting the first week in May.
If you're lucky enough to be there during the French Open, you will likely only be able to get general admission tickets but there's plenty to see the first week and though the middle weekend. Oh, and did I mention that besides great tennis, the French Open offers some of the most delicious 'stadium food' in the world? Be sure to get a burger and frites - you'll never feel the same way about a good ol' burger and fries again.
Take advantage of this while you can, as in June the players move to grass courts for a very short season that ends with Wimbledon. You can also see a grass court tournament in the US - at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI, which begins on Wednesday, July 8th, following The Championships. From this point on, the players will be in the US for our hard court season that culminates with the US Open in late August/early September. I'll be enjoying the 'Big 4' in Cincinnati as usual.
There you have it - enjoy Spring and be sure to see some red, while you're at it!
PS: There are plenty of public and private club clay courts throughout Europe available for play - why not check out the red clay up close? Just remember to slide!
