TICKETS
Is it worth the price to buy the Championship Weekend pass for $1K? Is it better to purchase individual tickets for each match you want to see?
SEATS
What sections are best to avoid the sunshine during the days?
PLAYERS
When do they announce the participants in this tournament?
GENERAL ADMISSION
With the GA tickets, are you allowed to walk into any of the matches and watch? Are seats only for reserved ticket holders?
WEATHER
What can we expect as far as temperature?
PARKING
Do you recommend driving to the venue or taking a car share/taxi?
Any advice/words of wisdom you can provide will be greatly appreciated!
TICKETS
My family has purchased series box seats and suite seats in the main stadium for the past two years. Personally, I would not just go for the Championship weekend unless you don't care who is playing. I wouldn't pay 1K for box seats to see 2 men's semis, 1 men's/women's final, and doubles finals. Granted last year's Federer/JDP and Federer/Coric matches were excellent. If you want to see a lot of matches with your favorites players, their practices, I would get opening weekend tickets. Mid-week is good for seeing more competitive matches between higher ranked players. If don't have to see Federer or Nadal(who only primarily play in stadium one), then I would save money and get a grounds pass and you can watch matches in any of the other stadiums. Stadium 2 has a lot of good matches and has a a small area of GA seats in the lower level and all GA seats in the upper level(great views).
SEATS
As to which seats are best to avoid the sun, just look at the price of the seats. South starts getting the shade first, then SW and West.
PLAYERS
It's almost mandatory for ATP/WTA players to play unless injured or meet an exception(longetivity, Federer, etc).
GA
There are GA seats in all stadiums except for Stadium one. The reserved seats are usually the ones with the least amount of sun.
WEATHER
Varies. Average high temp according to the Weather Channel is 80s. Two years ago, it was very hot, in the 90s during the day, 50-60s at night. This year, it was cooler and breezy, almost too cold in the shade.
PARKING
Haven't used Uber but they seems to have a specified rideshare drop off area at the front of the stadium. I would avoid general parking, can be long lines/traffic/long(relatively) walk. Consider buying a VIP parking pass from Craigslist for $20 or less), shorter line for parking and short walk to grounds.
MISC
Make sure to get a free radio headset to listen to the espn commentary of the matches. They do run out. I find it helps to know what's going on sometimes.
Autographs-If you or your kids want to get autographs, best options are: watch a player practice(they usually sign autographs afterwards, my son got a Federer autograph this way) and watch matches in the stadium 3 or lower courts(get close to the area behind the player's benches before the end of the match). Forget trying to get any autographs in the larger stadiums, too many people to compete with, enough time, ushers may block you if you don't have a seat in that section.
You can bring your own snacks, drinks(unopened container). No hard-sided coolers. Buy a souvenir cup drink daily, unlimited refills(keep receipt to show). Food is not bad, on the expensive side. Of course, check out the TW Warehouse store/racquet demo area. They also have daily autograph signing mid week, get a wristband, get in line. Players seem less then enthusiastic when signing there IMHO.
