Tips for attending the BB&T Atlanta Open
- Dress in light colors and wear a hat or visor. Bring sunglasses and use sun screen. It's Atlanta and it's July.
- Be on time. Matches start exactly at times listed on the order of play.
- The stadium can get hot. Get out of the sun for a few minutes and cool off by standing on the shaded second level of the Atlantic Station parking deck, where you can get a bird's eye view of the practice courts.
- Look for misting stations throughout the grounds. Drink plenty of water!
If you want to see how the players hone their craft, come early to the practice courts on 17th Street.
Autograph and photo seekers should hang out there also. The players will usually sign after they practice.
Parking and FAQs
Find complete information at http://www.bbtatlantaopen.com/
Atlantic Station is located at 1380 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, and is served by the 17th/14th/10th streets exits off I-75/85.
Buy parking passes for Atlantic Station's parking deck in advance for $10 to $20 at Lanier Parking Solutions. But them online at http://events.lanierparking.com/ListProduct.aspx?Topic=10030 or call (404) 249-9138 for Chris Goodson. Email to bbtatlantaopen@lanierparking.com.
Or drive into the Atlantic Station deck and park. The first two hours are free, then the charge is $4 for the third hour, with the hourly rate increasing. Recommended parking entrance to take 17th Street north on to State Street.
Atlantic Station provides regular shuttles to and from the Arts Center MARTA Station.
Entry
No food (except for medical dietary or infant purposes) or beverages allowed except one clear plastic water bottle, 20 ounces or less, per person. No glass or cans.
Concessions are available for food, drinks and alcoholic beverages.
No backpacks, sealed packages, briefcases, aerosol cans or noise-making devices, umbrellas, commercial photographic or video cameras, laptop computers. No weapons (regardless of permit) or pets.
No flags, banners or signs, laser pointing devices or any other items deemed unlawful or dangerous by the management of the BB&T Atlanta Open, in its sole discretion.
Professional tennis returns to Atlantic Station July 20 for the fifth BB&T Atlanta Open, starting with the qualifying tournament Saturday and culminating with the singles and doubles finals on July 28.
If you’ve never been, this isn’t just a tennis event, but an Atlanta gathering that holds its own when it comes to charm, being “family friendly” and a great value.
Tickets start as low as $9 for the opening weekend’s qualifying matches. Main draw sessions, which are a daily series of matches, start at $19. Week-long passes start at $375 and that buys you premium seating. Compare that to the U.S. Open, which begins about a month after Atlanta’s event, where individual sessions can cost more than $200 a ticket.
The tournament also brings money and some prestige to the region. The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau estimated the 2012 tournament brought an economic impact of $10.3 million to the city. In professional tennis, there are only 40 tournaments like this held around the world.
For the second time, all the action will take place at Atlantic Station.
Everyone from the merchants to residents of this mixed-use development have embraced the tournament in tennis-crazy Atlanta. The Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association has about 80,000 members.
“I became a tennis fan after last year’s tournament,” said Lois Higgs, a frequent visitor to the shops and restaurants of Atlantic Station. “The speed of the ball is amazing to a beginning player like myself.”
In between matches or during rain delays, fans can shop, eat a quick bite or make use of Wi-Fi to check emails. This is professional tennis, but when it stops, Atlantic Station, the leisure location, takes over.
Mark Toro, managing partner of North American Properties which runs the property, gives his suggestions for enjoying this unique location, which has everything from a cinema to restaurants and a grocery store. Also nearby is trendy westside Atlanta.
“New restaurants and shops will ensure that (you) will be well-fed and entertained while enjoying the most unique venue in professional tennis,” he said.
Defending champion Andy Roddick, who retired last September, won’t be back but the the tournament stands on its own merits. It offers more than $500,000 in prize money.
“The tournament is in as good a shape as it has ever been,” said Bob Bryant, BB&T Atlanta Open tournament director. “The Bryan Brothers [Mike and Bob] have more Grand Slam titles than anyone in men’s doubles history.”
The Bryans just won the doubles prize at Wimbledon, upping their number of Grand Slam victories to 15.
The singles tournament will be competitive as well. Players include Lleyton Hewitt, a former No. 1 in the world, Mardy Fish, John Isner and Radek Stepanek, who are all former top-10 players.
To complement the tournament, a number of special events will allow fans to be part of the action.
Special events this year include the "Bro Down Showdown" where some of the best brother duos in tennis play for bragging rights. Tennis Night on the Town is a benefit for youth tennis in the area and the tournament throws in a wine tasting and food pairing event in Clos Du Bois Barrels to Balls. Thursday night is Military Appreciation Night and the USTA Family Zone features daily free play on 10-and-under courts for the entire family.
The parking is easy and close. Atlantic Station's 7,600 covered parking spaces will accommodate tennis fans as well as the usual Atlantic Station crowd. Shuttle service also runs from the Arts Center MARTA station.
The Bryan brothers are expected to fill the stands because so many Atlanta amateurs play doubles.
“We love Atlanta,” said Mike Bryan. “Years ago, it was one of the first professional events we ever played in and the fans are some of the best.”
Fans this year will also sit in a new stadium constructed by NUSSLI, a Swiss company specializing in temporary stadiums all over the world. It will hold 4,000 people and all seats this year come with a seat back for comfort.
Don’t forget your camera. Unlike other tennis events, in Atlanta you can get close to the action and players.
Professional sports photographer Jake McDonald has covered every BB&T Open and has his tips for fans looking to get great shots.
“Get there early and snag the best spots,” says McDonald. “Sit with your back to the sun if possible and bring extra flash cards and batteries.”
McDonald also advises bringing a plastic zip lock bag to store your camera or smartphone in case of rain and also hang out by the player’s entrance to get up-close shots.
Michael Russell, a veteran American player ranked in the top-100 who has competed on six continents, never misses this Atlanta event.
“It’s a great environment with everything being in walking distance, the courts, the hotel, the restaurants and the gym,” said Russell. “It’s great being so close to the fans and we love the support they give us.”
