Question for those that have been to Southern & Western Open (Cincinnati Tournament)

[Brett]

I used to go all the time as a kid and I'm going to be going for the first time again this year. I just had a few questions...first off I'm looking at going either Sunday, August 12 or Monday, August 13.

1. I know qualifying for men/women AND men's main draw is on Sunday. But then the main draw for everyone is on Monday. First off how does that work? They just have men's first round matches and qualifying matches within center court on Sunday? Also, would you recommend going for sure on one day over another between Sunday and Monday?

2. I'm looking at seats available either in section 324-327 or section 311-314. Section 324-327 looks to be much higher up but definitely shaded...but it almost looks like section 311-314 is also shaded a little? Which section would you recommend more and why?

3. I've never been to a day session for a tennis tournament. I know you can enter the grounds at like 9 or 10 AM but how do you know when you are required to leave if you don't have a night session ticket? Whether you have a stadium ticket or just a ground pass this question is for. I know with a stadium ticket you'll know just because someone will be sitting in your seat for the night session but when are you required to leave and/or can you just stay around on the grounds even if it's at night? And with a ground pass when you don't even have a required seat for center court, how do you also know when you are supposed to leave? What's the rules basically in general?

Thanks!

 

[Brett]

Bump, thanks.

 

[Soianka]

I've been but cant answer those questions. Sorry. Just bumping your thread.

 

[Gazelle]

Bump, yw.

 

[Fabresque]

1. It’s up to you, my recommendation is to go Sunday and Monday to catch some good first round matches that people don’t even watch that much, it’s like no people watching them and the quailes.

2. 311/314 is the best section out of the two considering it’s also shaded and it’s not as high up. But of course it just depends on what you want.

3. They won’t kick you out if you have a day session ticket only and you go over to the night session. As long as there are seats available (there always is) nobody cares. Grounds people aren’t just going to stop you for no reason and ask for which session you’re in.

Hope this helps. It’s a really good tournament, I hope you have fun this year!

 

[Brett]

Thank you guys for the bump and thank you Fabresque for answering the questions. On number 1, my question was either Sunday or Monday and not both though? If you had to choose, which do you like more?

Also, it's interesting you mentioned you like 311-314 being better because apparently it's bleacher seats and not having indoor restrooms like 324-327? Making 324-327 seeming better no? Also, it seems 311-314 only has shading if it's row T-Z, does that seem right? But I assume all of 324-327 has shaded seating?

On number 3, they don't kick you out if you have a day session stadium ticket and you stay past say 5 PM? How do they police that then if you go to the outer courts or within stadium court if there is open seating? Also, do ground passes work the same way for outside courts if you have a day pass and stay longer? How do they police it then overall? How's it supposed to work with the rules? Never understood that.

Thanks.

 

[Fabresque]

Thank you guys for the bump and thank you Fabresque for answering the questions. On number 1, my question was either Sunday or Monday and not both though? If you had to choose, which do you like more?

Also, it's interesting you mentioned you like 311-314 being better because apparently it's bleacher seats and not having indoor restrooms like 324-327? Making 324-327 seeming better no? Also, it seems 311-314 only has shading if it's row T-Z, does that seem right? But I assume all of 324-327 has shaded seating?

On number 3, they don't kick you out if you have a day session stadium ticket and you stay past say 5 PM? How do they police that then if you go to the outer courts or within stadium court if there is open seating? Also, do ground passes work the same way for outside courts if you have a day pass and stay longer? How do they police it then overall? How's it supposed to work with the rules? Never understood that.

Thanks.

1. Monday

2. That is correct, but you should be able to get shaded seats regardless for most of the matches, it’s only first round matches after all.

3. It’s strange yes but most people just get a day pass and stay through to the night sessions, including me. Policing is poor in that regard but it’s not a big deal anyway. Yes ground passes work the same way.

 

[Brett]

Thanks man, still looking at tickets here. Not looking to spend a whole bunch. Would much rather go Monday but might have to do Sunday due to cost.

 

[woodje12]

Regarding #3, the caveat I'd add is that while they won't kick you out I think they do check your tickets on Center Court. At a minimum, you should expect that your day ticket to Center Court will be used by someone else at night. I had tickets for a Fed night session and I can tell you there weren't many (any??) open seats that someone could "sneak" into.

Now sticking around after 5:00 to see the outside courts at night, yeah that's totally doable and a great deal! Loved our trip to Cincy (that's my avatar), enjoy!

 

[tennisNoob78]

Any one know when grounds pass are available for general sale? Or is there another way to get in without buying center court tickets?

I am going there all day Thursday for round of 16. Got some decent tickets through Stubhub. My return flight is on Friday evening around 6pm, so hoping I can spend a few hours at the event in the AM.

 

[Brett]

tennisNoob78, I've been checking with the tournament daily asking about grounds passes and still since yesterday they are saying no update. Another option is you can buy a box seat in the Grandstand court which would give you access to get in for a good price.

So you guys think if I go the first Sunday or Monday, it's very do-able to move forward or to other seats in Center Court if they aren't being occupied and not get in trouble?

 

[Brett]

Bump.

 

[Brett]

Also, I had another question. I ended up buying two tickets on StubHub for the first Sunday day session for $11 each. It came to like $39 in all. Rain looks to be very much a real possibility...what happens if the whole day session gets rained or part of the matches get rained throughout the day? I contacted Western and Southern Open but they said their rain policy isn't in effect for that because I bought through a 3rd party. So then I contacted StubHub and they are just super confusing and making no sense on what their rain refund policy is. Especially since it's a tennis event and works differently.

Anyone have experience on this? Thanks.

 

[NastyWinners]

I used to go all the time as a kid and I'm going to be going for the first time again this year. I just had a few questions...first off I'm looking at going either Sunday, August 12 or Monday, August 13.

1. I know qualifying for men/women AND men's main draw is on Sunday. But then the main draw for everyone is on Monday. First off how does that work? They just have men's first round matches and qualifying matches within center court on Sunday? Also, would you recommend going for sure on one day over another between Sunday and Monday? - I would go Monday over Sunday.

2. I'm looking at seats available either in section 324-327 or section 311-314. Section 324-327 looks to be much higher up but definitely shaded...but it almost looks like section 311-314 is also shaded a little? Which section would you recommend more and why? - I would go for 313, little bit closer to the court. However, 324-327 is more shaded into the later afternoon/evening. Just a bit too steep for my tastes.

3. I've never been to a day session for a tennis tournament. I know you can enter the grounds at like 9 or 10 AM but how do you know when you are required to leave if you don't have a night session ticket? Whether you have a stadium ticket or just a ground pass this question is for. I know with a stadium ticket you'll know just because someone will be sitting in your seat for the night session but when are you required to leave and/or can you just stay around on the grounds even if it's at night? And with a ground pass when you don't even have a required seat for center court, how do you also know when you are supposed to leave? What's the rules basically in general? - Yes you can stay around the grounds into the evening even if you have a day pass. You just are not allowed onto the courts after the 7pm night session matches start, however, that hasn't stopped me before Enjoy your time in Cincy, I will be there Saturday for qualifying (taking my sister-in-law and wife) and then Wednesday/Thursday with a possible Friday (with just the wife) if we can snag cheap-ish tickets.

Thanks!

 

[NastyWinners]

Also, I had another question. I ended up buying two tickets on StubHub for the first Sunday day session for $11 each. It came to like $39 in all. Rain looks to be very much a real possibility...what happens if the whole day session gets rained or part of the matches get rained throughout the day? I contacted Western and Southern Open but they said their rain policy isn't in effect for that because I bought through a 3rd party. So then I contacted StubHub and they are just super confusing and making no sense on what their rain refund policy is. Especially since it's a tennis event and works differently.

Anyone have experience on this? Thanks.

You are kind of screwed because the original owner would then get the rain out tickets for next year.

 

[NastyWinners]

tennisNoob78, I've been checking with the tournament daily asking about grounds passes and still since yesterday they are saying no update. Another option is you can buy a box seat in the Grandstand court which would give you access to get in for a good price.

So you guys think if I go the first Sunday or Monday, it's very do-able to move forward or to other seats in Center Court if they aren't being occupied and not get in trouble?

Grounds pass for Wednesday have just opened up. They will not open grounds passes for a day/night unless all tickets for center court are sold out.

 

[Brett]

So wait, what are my options then since I bought them on StubHub from someone? Nothing? Meaning if it gets completely rained out or partially rained out I get nothing?