Sony Open or Cincy - questions about attending

[zam88]

Hello, I've never been to a major tennis tournament.

I'd like to goto one on US soil before RF quits.

So my options are Miami, Indian Wells, Cincinnati, or USO.

I can't do the USO due to it being at a bad time for me... same for Indian wells.


So that leaves me with Cincinnati or Miami.

which is better?


I can goto Miami on the weekend of March 22-24... it says on the website that'll be the men's 1st/2nd round.


In a masters RF won't play round 1 correct? gets immediately put to round 2?

And most likely i'd need to buy night session tickets to see him play?

What do you guys think?

[AnotherTennisProdigy]

I live in miami so I can tell you about that, not so much about Cincy as I've never been there.

It's a nice tournament to go to. You get to watch the ground matches from a pretty close distance(if you can get spots, no assigned seats in the outer courts). Also, even if you get a high spot in the stadium you can get still see the match decently well unlike the USO where you're practically watching from a blimp.

The only thing is it can get pretty hot, so if you hate the heat perhaps Cincy would be a better choice(again, I've never been there). You're pretty much guaranteed a lot of great tennis though.

Edit- and yes, you will most likely see RF in the night match in the 2nd round as he has a bye. However, keep in mind, you will see only two matches if you only get night tickets, ground passes let you roam around the grounds and see any of the outside matches.

[zam88]

Thanks for the nice reply. Good info

[kaku]

I went to Cincy this year. Very good tournament, very fan friendly. Fed played a couple night sessions there, so you could catch him there. I think it's best to go to a Masters for a whole week, the first few days you can soak up the experience and watch the pros practice, there's always something going on. Towards the end, you mainly watch the matches.

[Ms Nadal]

I agree, going the whole week to a Masters event is cool! The securuty isn't as bad like the slams! I have been able to get close to Rafa many times at Masters events. The early part of the week is the time to catch the players before they start their matches during practise sessions when the grounds are less crowded! ! Then you can enjoy them playing on court. I love the Masters! I hope Rafa will come back so I can get to see him close up some more!

[gavna]

As for the weather Cincy in August is much much worse than Miami in March!!!! It's not that hot nor humid in Miami that time of year.....Cincy in Aug can be and often is brutal....hot with no shade around and very humid. I go to both events every year and much prefer Sony.....just being able to tool around South Florida and all that's there.......Cincy has?????? chili on spaghetti! Cincy a nice town but Miami a two week event...and one of the best things about The Sony early in the first week is excellent and close access to the practice courts....often better tennis than the matches!!!! Just check out Monfils vs Raonic on YouTube from last March....that's the kind of stuff you will see from 10ft away. Also very open and not that crowed the first week.

I would vote to hit Miami first.

[svijk]

Ive been to Cincy last 7 years and can say its probably the best tournament to attend. I have not been to Miami but go to USO off and on and to smaller tournaments in Atlanta and Winston Salem.
Cincy is the best in terms of quality. ability to watch players real close and is not super crowded so its very relaxed.
Also very reasonable in terms of ticket prices and the Cincy area is cheaper for hotels etc. one more reason : free parking at the facility

[underground]

I would definitely go to Cinci. Given that it's a faster court which means Federer plays better there, obviously you want to see him playing at his best live. He's not been doing well at Miami lately anyway.

[norbac]

I've been to both tournaments. Much prefer Cincy, really has a relaxed feel to it.

[marlinsfan9108]

I've been to both multiple times. I prefer Cincy over Miami (although I prefer IW over Cincy). Its true that it can get hot in Cincy in August, although this past year was pretty pleasant. Cincy has done a great job updating its facility whereas I feel as though Crandon Park is outdated. The food court area was much improved this year. I think that Cincy is more fan friendly than Miami. Practice courts are very accessible. Can't go wrong with either tourney but I prefer Cincy.

[Tammo]

Cincy all the way, people are awesome there. Been there several times.

[not_federer]

Miami Masters is during the Winter Music Conference which is a huge plus - tennis by day, party all night. Remember, it was after the Miami tournament in 2009 that Gasquet tested positive for cocaine. Just saying.