First is cost. Tickets for the first few days of a tournament are cheaper than the later days, and as a fan I was always cost conscious. You get the best bang for your buck, see the most players, and do it for less. When I started covering tennis as media, I stuck to the same habits. Even though I get free entry to the tournament as media, I am still cost conscious. I am traveling to all these tournaments and putting myself up, and as Ground Pass is still self funded, I can’t afford to be at tournaments the whole time. Also, the fact still holds that it’s easier to talk to players at the start of the tournament than in the later rounds. So that’s the reasoning.

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But it’s still nice to experience the final weekend. It helps me give a full picture to tennis fans who are looking to attend. And what a final weekend it has been.

Alex Eala has completely taken over the DC Open. In the match of the tournament, she defeated Naomi Osaka, then showed up to the Tennis Channel desk to a packed crowd. It’s so great to see fans show up from all over the world for Alex Eala. We have been asking for this sort of player popularity in tennis, and it’s nice to see it in person.

Alex Eala will be meeting Jessica Pegula I the finals on Sunday and both their press conferences were very insightful. I asked Jessica if she hears all the coaching coming from the fans during her matches and Alex if she follows the rankings religiously. Those answers and the full audio of their press conference is below.

Coming for the final weekend also meant I got to talk to some doubles players. With the announcement of the changes the ATP would like to bring to doubles, as a reminder: reduced draws and prize money, I was interested to see how the doubles teams would respond.

And boy did they respond. At the DC Open they have been trialing micing up players during matches, but instead of it being for broadcast, it’s just for social, which has been fun to watch. They tried mic’d up matches a couple of years ago for the broadcast, but to be honest the setup was not that comfortable for the players, and most teams don’t talk all the time. Picking select moments for social works better. I got to talk to Max Gaggino of Backstage Tennis about the new setup. As he points out, this is not a new concept. It’s been done in basketball and football (NFL) for years. Even F1 has team radios that are popular among fans. Trialing it in tennis was a no brainer, and the doubles players are trying to use it to boost their social profiles and help save their category. I am a broken record at this point, but storytelling is the best way to sell a sport, and it’s nice to see its growth in tennis. My quick interview with Austin Krajicek and Nikola Mektic is below, and in a later edition of our newsletter I’ll share my interview with Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool.

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The finals are set at the DC Open: Jessica Pegula v Alex Eala and Taylor Fritz v Rafa Jodar (is it just me, or is Rafa Jodar just Spanish Taylor Fritz?). Whoever wins, it will be a great story. Join me on the next podcast for a full breakdown.

Something quite unexpected happened on Day 3 of the DC Open. Off Season was put on the big stage.

I thought it would be an early day for me. After recording my quick hit for this GPOS, I was planning to go home after what was a very long day.

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The Naomi Osaka cookout took up most of my day, Venus Williams and Diana Shnaider debuted as a doubles pair, and more. But let’s start with how a tee I designed with my friend Yevheniia, who designs all of Ground Pass’ merch, ended up on Frances Tiafoe on center court in his first round match against Terence Atmane.

Hailey Baptiste, who is an Off Season athlete, was coming to watch the night match. I have been filming with her for Off Season while in DC, so I thought B-roll of her at the match would be great for the upcoming episode, which you can find here. While I was packing up someone in the press room asked me if I had seen Frances Tiafoe walk out in a tee with Hailey Baptiste on it. I asked what shirt, because as far as I knew there was only one shirt with Hailey Baptiste on it, and it’s the one I made as our first Off Season player tee. And it couldn’t possibly be that one, because I didn’t give one to Frances Tiafoe. Right. Right?!

But lo and behold, as Frances Tiafoe got to his bench and took off his Lululemon hoodie, there was the OFF SEASON logo on the front and the Hailey graphic on the back. I have never felt more paralyzed in my life. What to do, how to capitalize for the benefit of the show. But in the end that’s not me. I don’t know how to guerrilla market, as they say. So I did what I planned to do, stayed and filmed Hailey for the DC episode of Off Season, and decided to wait until the end of the match to maybe ask Frances how he got the shirt.

But the match didn’t go well for Tiafoe. He lost to Terence Atmane, someone he has played three times this year alone and beaten all three times. The matches have always been close, and I had actually called Atmane to win this one. If you listen to the pre-tournament podcast I recorded with Ava Wallace, you will remember we talked about the pressure Tiafoe probably carries trying to win this tournament. This was a tough first round draw.

Both players came into press, and while Tiafoe was very down on his game and level (don’t worry, I didn’t ask about the shirt), Terence Atmane was more positive about his level and how hard he had to work to win the match.

Below is the full audio of their press conferences for paying subscribers.

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Frances subsequently withdrew from the tournament, citing a right wrist injury. And probably a lot of disappointment.

Going back to the start of the day, Naomi Osaka’s cookout was such a moment. Something I have never seen at a tournament before. Naomi held what ended up being a meet and greet with fans in one of the food areas on site. She talked to fans, took photos, signed autographs, and basically hung out for an hour. As I said in the video, this could not happen at a bigger tournament, and it’s what makes tournaments like this so special.

Leylah Fernandez talked about how she approaches being a defending champion.

"But my coaches have done a great job throughout the weeks working together saying, Hey, we're coming in here to earn it. We're not here to defend anything because we're not a defensive team. We're an aggressive team."

And Venus Williams expressed what it’s like to feel joy on court.

"Yeah, I think I said to Diana in the middle of the match, I was, like, Now we've reached the fun zone, like, we're having fun. I think we got there today where we were having fun with the challenge of the game, because it's most certainly a challenge."

If you would like to pick up a Hailey Baptiste shirt, you can here.

Follow along on Instagram and YouTube as I keep sharing things from the tournament there.

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Cruz, if you didn’t know, is the son of Lleyton Hewitt. And the pressure and expectation of that must be great. He made his big breakthrough recently by making it to the final of the Junior Wimbledon boys event. He lost that to American Jordan Lee, and because of that breakthrough both he and Lee received wildcards into the qualifying draw here. Lee lost in the first round of qualifying, but Cruz, through a series of unfortunate events, got through to the main draw after both his opponents retired due to injury/illness.

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I was able to watch parts of his second match against Zachary Svajda. Svajda won the first set easily, but Hewitt put up a fight in the second, breaking Svajda while he was serving for the match and winning the tiebreak. And even though Svajda was compromised (Zach did make it to the main draw as a lucky loser), Hewitt showed his tenacity and grit in those closing moments of the second set, and it will be interesting to see how he develops on the main tour. He had Jordan Thompson in his box. I was surprised when I saw him on the grounds as he hasn’t played in a while, and it looks like he is taking on a coaching/supporting role for the youngster.

There is also a new podcast out today, so this is a combined GPOS and Order of Play.

On the Docket

I had the most impromptu podcast recording with Ava Wallace of The Athletic right in the heart of the DC Open. I wasn’t even sure I would post this, but listening back, it’s the type of free flowing tennis chat I would have with a friend, so why not let you in. Forgive the rambling, but we touch on what makes DC so special as a tournament on the tour and how it reflects not just the city of DC but the real fan base of tennis. And of course we get into Andy Murray as a tennis coach. Still wild to see.

Press Play

Prefer audio? Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Bonus Point

It was another week where I didn’t watch any tennis, but I saw Lili Tagger won her first title in Prague, beating red hot Barbora Krejcikova along the way. She is now the youngest player in the top 50. I got to talk to her at Indian Wells this year. You can find clips from her interview here.

Off Court

Off Season: In Season - Dallas

Off Season: In Season - Dallas is live. Would love for you to check it out and share. We are back in production in Dallas. I caught up with Hailey Baptiste, Ethan Quinn and doubles team Chris Harrison and Neal Skupski. The next episode of the documentary, Delray, will be out in a couple of weeks. But there is a lot in the bank to catch up on here.

On Deck

Here in DC for the next few days, then will probably be back for the final weekend. There are a lot of players here hoping for a good start to the summer hard court swing. Ben Shelton would like to break the spell of first round losses. Can Frances Tiafoe finally win his home tournament? How good can this Andy Murray and Jack Draper partnership be? Can Naomi Osaka get further in DC than she did a year ago, and what’s next for Venus Williams? So many storylines to keep up with, and that is not taking into consideration the surprises we could get.

The Toss

The DC Open is unique because it’s a combined 500 event. It’s what I think makes it so successful.

Help Ground Pass grow. Share this with your tennis friends who you drag to all the tournaments with you.

Read the full Day 1 newsletter on Substack: https://groundpass.substack.com/p/6ddbaf57-3fb7-412d-b0ad-df5a38706899

Ground Pass On Site is back for our fourth year in DC. In this episode we're on the grounds as Daria Kasatkina, Cruz Hewitt, and the Svajda brothers battle through qualifying, while Venus Williams, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, and Frances Tiafoe take media day. Plus an Off Season update: our DC doubles special with Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski is officially in production, and we catch up with Hailey Baptiste and Ethan Quinn.

The full newsletter includes press conference audio for paying Substack subscribers. YouTube Members and Patreon supporters: check your member posts for a discount code to unlock the paid sections of the Substack post.

The good news. Delray is manageable. The hours are not crazy, the first night match on center was already over by 7:30p on Day 2, and even with a full day, it still feels like you can breathe here. It’s a small tournament with a strong field, and the vibe stays calm even when the tennis is exciting and so good.

What you’ll see in today’s videos

Video diary (should I keep this naming, “tournament diary” maybe): the quick, real-time version of my day, straight from the grounds.

Player interview compilation: I’m also adding a separate video with the best bits from the player interviews and press moments I grabbed today, including:

* Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud on media day

* Rafa Jódar after his win over Ethan Quinn

A few quick Day 2 takeaways

* Fritz is still in “tape it up and go” mode. Knee, elbow, even his eye was bothering him today. He also talked about never wanting to be a player who defaults. As long as he can play, he’s going to try.

* Jódar is a fun new watch. Big ball, confident, and he’s making the leap from the college path to going pro full-time. I’m curious to see how his year unfolds.

* Dallas-to-Delray contrast is real. Indoors to outdoors, controlled conditions to windy Delray. Seeing that transition in person makes it obvious why certain players shine in one setting and have to recalibrate in the other.

And even though I was exhausted, I had one of those Delray moments that makes the whole day worth it. After play ended on Court 1, local kids got to hit on the empty court. One of them tried a Carlos Alcaraz behind-the-back shot and he almost made it!. That’s the vibe here; a local tennis tournament that supports the local community.

Alright, this is two days late and Taylor Fritz already won his match against Jodar yesterday and there five Americans in the quarterfinals today.

I had the longest travel day and I am already prepping for my next trip, announcement coming soon.

Come back tomorrow when I will take you on a tour of the Delray Beach Open site.

Last time you saw us, we were in Dallas. I loved Dallas. It was my first time, and there is something so underrated about an indoor tournament when you just want guaranteed tennis.

But Delray feels like home

.

This tournament is a smaller footprint, it is held at the Delray Beach Tennis Center in downtown Delray, and it’s an ATP 250, plus a Legends event layered in. It’s been a main stay on the tour for a while and almost feels like a well kept secret. But if we have anything to do with it, the secret is out of the bag. Come with is this week as we take you around the tournament and get you to add this to your “must visit list”.

This Week Delray nailed the scheduling

Here’s the fun phenomenon Delray sometimes pulls off. They can tell you, in advance, exactly who is holding down the night session.

It’s Monday. Day one of main draw. And the tournament had Frances Tiafoe scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on Stadium Court. So if you bought a night ticket, you actually knew what you were buying it for. No guessing game.

They’re able to do that because of how the byes and the schedule fall. This week, the tournament also had these primetime “under the lights” spots mapped out in advance:

* Mon, Feb 16: Frances Tiafoe at 8 p.m.

* Tue, Feb 17: Tommy Paul at 8 p.m.

* Wed, Feb 18: Casper Ruud at 8 p.m.

* Thu, Feb 19: Taylor Fritz at 8 p.m.

That is such a fan-friendly move, especially for a smaller event where a lot of people are coming after work and want one anchor match they can plan around.

My day on the grounds

I’ve been here for a full day now (I got in late last night), and I hit the ground running.

1) OFF SEASON: In Season (working title, please don’t hold me to it)

First thing I did was film with Ethan Quinn. I’m trying to keep the documentary thread going even during the regular season, which is tricky because match play is the priority. This is not a vlog. I’m chasing the behind-the-scenes work. The prep. The routines. The details that never make the broadcast but we all care about.

I got footage of Ethan practicing with Gabriel Diallo (who he’s also paired with in doubles). They played a tough one and went out in their first doubles match.

2) Eliot Spizzirri update

I also caught Eliot Spizzirri on site for an autograph session. I was hoping to grab him after, but he ended up withdrawing to rest up his elbow. Fingers crossed it’s a quick reset and nothing that lingers.

3) The kit story that made my entire day

I interviewed Terence Atmane, and I got the full backstory on the Dallas moment that had us all talking; where he played Frances Tiafoe while wearing a version of Frances’ Australian Open kit.

Terence’s explanation was even better than the visual. He saw the draw, thought “why not,” went to the store looking for the exact color, improvised when he couldn’t find it, then called his mom to figure out how to iron on a sponsor patch. The punchline is that Frances was laughing through the match, and then they kept the joke going afterward in the locker room.

Also, I love that Terence said the quiet part out loud. If you don’t have a sportswear sponsor locking you into a look, you can have fun with it. Tennis needs more of that energy.

4) The “Windy” in Delray

It was so windy today. The kind of wind that turns a normal rally into a geometry problem, the balls were going everywhere.

Still, we got some really good moments:

* Coleman Wong picked up a huge win over Nuno Borges.

The best part was what happened right after. The ball kids were so excited they rushed him for a photo, and I was standing right there, so I ended up being the photographer. That is exactly what I love about weeks like this. The ball kids are local. They’re tennis kids. They’re watching elite tennis up close and are making memories.

* Alex Michelsen got through Valentin Vacherot.

Michelsen is the hometown hero here, and you could feel the crowd energy tilt in his direction.

And honestly, that’s Day 1 in Delray. A small site, a packed day, real access, and the kind of moments you just don’t get the same way at the biggest events.

If you’ve got any questions about Delray, or why I love this tournament so much, drop them in the comments. I’m here all week.

Then I walked straight into my first Dallas Open problem of the day: Eliot Spizzirri and Ethan Quinn were both up first. On separate courts. Which meant I was doing that very specific tennis fan cardio where you’re trying to watch two matches at once without missing the momentum swings.

The good news is the Dallas Open makes this easier than it sounds. There’s a small walkway that connects the courts, so I could post up with Eliot for a few games, hustle over to Ethan for a few games, and basically start my day feeling like a ping pong ball.

The Dallas Open is one big, self-contained tennis world

Today’s episode is me taking you around the grounds because I wanted you to get a real sense of the site. The Dallas Open is hosted in Frisco, Texas, just outside Dallas, at the Ford Center. It’s the home of the Dallas Cowboys, and the neighborhood definitely has Cowboys energy. I know nothing about football. I’m a one-sport kind of gal. But I kind of love that this ATP stop has made itself at home in a space like this.

What stood out to me is how self-contained it is. Everything is right there. The merch shop, the sponsor activations, the seating, the fan zone, the matches. It feels like a one-stop tennis ecosystem.

The fan zone, night sessions, and when this tournament really comes alive

Outside, there’s a fan zone area with a big screen where people can watch matches, plus merch and games and all the little things that make a tournament feel like an event. During the day, most people are inside watching the matches. But at night, that fan zone fills up. Kids are out of school, families roll in, and you can feel the place shift into a different gear.

And I love that. Because this is exactly where tennis wins. A small tournament is one of the best places for a kid to see a pro up close for the first time and appreciate the game from a young age.

Yesterday, I watched Sebastian Korda stay after his match and sign what felt like every single ball, hat, and water bottle that made its way to him. That kind of access is what makes smaller tournaments special. You’re not getting that same experience at a massive Grand Slam, even if you’re spending Grand Slam money.

The best angles, the sponsor store, and casually watching Grand Slam champs

After a few hours (and a lot of roaming for “the best angles,” as always), I ended up back inside in the main open area you’ve probably seen behind me in these daily dispatches. Off to one side is the BOSS sponsor store. On the other side is seating for the grandstand and match viewing.

And this is the thing I keep coming back to. You can be sitting there casually watching doubles and realize, oh wait, those are Grand Slam champions on court.

Today it was Granollers and Zeballos vs Krajicek and Mektic. Grand Slam titles, major experience, elite doubles tennis, right in front of you. Marin Čilić is in this field too. Grand Slam champion. Quarterfinalist here. It’s kind of wild.

My Dallas takeaway: 2026 is the year of the small tournament

I’ve said this a few times on the pod, but being here has cemented it for me. I really think 2026 should be the year of the small tournament.

I think a lot of people feel like they need US Open money to enjoy live tennis. You don’t. Not even close.

These smaller events give you high-level tennis, real access, and an atmosphere that feels easy to move through. You can actually get your bearings. You can actually see players. You can actually have the kind of day where you watch a match, wander to another court, stumble into doubles, grab food, run into someone you recognize, and feel like you’re part of the tournament instead of just a ticket holder.

A quick note on player life at these stops

One detail I wanted to share because it’s easy to forget if you’ve never been around tournaments like this. When a player loses early, they often don’t immediately disappear.

For example, Flavio Cobolli lost early but stayed because he’s still playing doubles. Learner Tien lost his first round and was still around the grounds. Same with Mattia Bellucci. Players often get a couple extra hotel days even after they lose. There’s food. There are practice courts. It makes sense to stay, train, reset, and only move on when it’s time for the next stop.

So if you show up on day two thinking you “missed” someone, you might still catch them around the site, especially at these smaller tournaments.

Closing out Dallas, heading to Delray

This was my last day in Dallas and I’ve genuinely loved getting to know this tournament and showing you around. I also got to catch up with the Off Season guys, Eliot and Ethan, and talk a little about their journey from Australia back home to playing in front of a home crowd. They both won their first matches, and then both went out today, which is tough. But it also means they’re onto the next chapter.

And for me, next up is Delray. Another small, intimate stop, and another chance to prove my point that you don’t need Grand Slam money to have a world-class tennis experience.

See you there.

What felt like the calm before the storm yesterday turned into a packed house, a buzzing fan zone, and a full slate of matches that made this compact indoor event feel big.

Morning Coffee… with Women’s Tennis

I started my day “busy watching women’s tennis” in my Rich Sport tee, locked into Mirra Andreeva vs Victoria Mboko in Doha. Yes, I’m at an ATP event. No, that does not stop me from multitasking across tours.

By the time I got to site, it was about 10:45a. Day sessions start at noon here, so you get this quiet window of clinics and practices before everything ramps up.

Grandstand Is the Move

I will be spending most of my Day 3 on the Grandstand watching the boys from the OFF SEASON.

First up: Ethan Quinn vs Trevor Svajda.

Then: Eliot Spizzirri (wild card into the main draw) vs James Duckworth.

If you’ve been following Off Season, you know this is where my focus has been. I spent a good chunk of yesterday interviewing Ethan and Eliot and filming them practicing together. Now that they’re back in the U.S. for the Spring Swing, we’re continuing to document the journey. It’s a little scrappier this time because I’m filming solo, but I’m excited about what we’re capturing.

We’ll keep building out this Spring Swing chapter.

Yesterday’s Standouts

The tournament had a generational moment early on with Marin Cilic notching his 600th career tour win against Learner Tien. Tien is in his 20s. Cilic is 37. That perspective alone was special to witness.

The night session had serious energy. The Dallas Open is sponsored by BOSS, which also sponsors Taylor Fritz, and they leaned all the way in. Fans were handed BOSS headbands, complete with a “how to wear it” card referencing Fritz’s upside-down headband moment against Novak Djokovic. The brand has embraced it. The crowd did too.

Later in the night, Ben Shelton closed out his match efficiently against Gabriel Diallo after a long day session. I also had a quick chat with Ben about his vlog and how he’s approaching content this season. Always interesting seeing how players are thinking about storytelling alongside competition.

And defending champion Denis Shapovalov looked sharp. Efficient. Focused. He has points to defend and he is playing like it.

The Vibe

Last night, the fan zone was genuinely lively. Music. Kids in serving games. A packed indoor center court. For a “small, cute” tournament, it punches above its weight when the seats fill.

The entire event is still incredibly contained. Center Court, Grandstand, practice courts, and a small outdoor tented fan zone. That’s it. You’re in the bubble once you’re inside. Yesterday it was cold and rainy in Texas, which would have changed everything at an outdoor event. Instead, play rolled on uninterrupted.

I get it, this is not Indian Wells scenery. It’s more Miami Open stadium-within-a-stadium energy. But for what it is, they execute it well.

Should You Come?

If you live in the South and want access to a stacked field in a compact, easy-to-navigate venue, this is a strong option. Especially if you like indoor tennis and close proximity to players.

We’ll keep answering your questions as they come in. I ran a mini Q&A on Instagram and will keep folding those into these dispatches.

Come back tomorrow to see how Day 3 went. We’re just getting started. 🎾

We are officially back on site for our first tournament of 2026, and we’ve landed at the Dallas Open. This is an indoor ATP 500, hosted in Frisco, Texas, inside The Star, the Dallas Cowboys’ training facility. We know this vibe, the stadium within a stadium. Just like the Miami Open but indoors.

This is my first time at this tournament, so I’m learning the site right alongside you. So far, so good. I arrived yesterday, picked up credentials, got the lay of the land, and eased in by catching some doubles. I watched Ben Shelton and Alex Kovacevic, a partner Shelton got through an instagram call out, pull out a third set tiebreak win over Grigor Dimitrov and his 19-year-old partner.

*Reminder that at the 500 level, the third set is a match tiebreak to 10. It made for a fun, low-stress way to start the week.

I also caught the beginning of Frances Tiafoe vs Terence Atmane, which delivered instant entertainment. Atmane walked out wearing the same custom Lululemon kit Tiafoe debuted at the Australian Open. According to our friend Blair Henley, the MC of the tournament, Atmane bought it straight from the Lululemon store as a bit of gamesmanship. Elite commitment to the bit. He took the first set, but once Tiafoe figured out the serve, he closed it out in three.

I arrived on site today in that quiet window before play ramps up. Day sessions start at noon, so it’s clinics on court and players getting their practice reps in. Everything here is under one roof. Center Court, a Grandstand court, and the practice courts all live in the same indoor space. Most players are staying at a hotel basically steps from the doors, which makes this one of the most self-contained tournament setups we’ve seen.

Over the next few days, we’ll be bringing you the full lay of the land. Courts, food, vibes, match flow, and all the little details that help you navigate a tournament like this. If you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments or DM us. Consider this your Dallas Open hotline.

First tournament of the Spring Swing. We’re officially underway.

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The person responsible for creating this tennis secret garden is Christopher LaMond. He has been with the tournament for 15 years, and I got to sit with him to talk about how the design came together for the new landscaping for the tournament using the theme “Tennis Garden.”

One of my favorite takeaways from the chat is how this is a living, breathing organism. This year lays the foundation for the next and will only be better as the years go on.

Today was my last day on the grounds, and I took it slow and easy as I do most last days at a tournament.

Player Interviews

* Ella Seidel – who had such a great run this tournament and got herself into the Top 100.

* Carlos Alcaraz – who continues to find his form and talked about what it’s like waiting to play his match.

* Evan King and Chris Harrison – the No. 1 doubles team in the U.S. They have come a long way from not being able to enter even qualifying of tournaments with their ranking to now being in the Top 20 of the world.

Last year I attended my first Challenger in Champaign, Illinois, and first interviewed Evan King there. It was a small venue with a little crowd, and at the end of this interview he said to me: “We’ve come a long way since Champaign.”

We have come a long way. Ground Pass has grown so much since then, and I am grateful to all of you that make that possible. Below is the video we made at that Challenger.

What’s Next

Next stop for us — New York, baby. US Open. So much more to come.

I had grand ideas of doing a full-on mukbang while covering the food at the Cincinnati Open. But it’s been a long summer of traveling to tennis tournaments, and between trying to save on costs and also eat a little healthier to keep my energy up on site, it just didn’t happen.

That said, when it comes to food, the Cincinnati Open definitely gives you a taste of the local cuisine. If you want to try the delicacy that is Skyline chili, you can dive right in. And there are plenty of other options too, so you can always find something that works for you.

There are also water refill spots all around the grounds. I’d encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle to save on buying water, but if you want to grab something from the merch shop, a water bottle is the way to go. It even comes with ice that you can use while you’re here. I bought a white one last year, and this year they had a blue version—it took all my willpower not to get another.

Which brings me to the Merch Store, always a popular stop on site. Lines form early, and it feels like everyone has some piece of merch. If you’re going to buy one thing, I’d recommend the water bottle.

Player Interviews

The post-match interviews of the day were:

* Terence Atmane – After his win against João Fonseca. This is now part of a Meet the Player episode. Watch it below.

* Jessica Bouzas Maniero – After her win against Taylor Townsend. She’s had a really strong year and continues to solidify her position as Spain’s No. 2 woman.

* Holger Rune – Came through press. And discussed how he handled he heat on a particularly hot day.

* Emma Raducanu & Aryna Sabalenka – Their match was the Match of the Day. Both came through press afterward, and I’ll be making a Match Story about this one.

Emma

Aryna

* Taylor Fritz – Answered the important question: what’s the right technique for breaking a racket?

🎧 All interviews are linked.

If you’re heading to the Cincinnati Open, you won’t have to worry about finding a spot to rest in the shade, meet up with friends, or grab a bite to eat—there are fan zones everywhere.

The largest space is The Common, located right next to the main food stalls. It’s packed with umbrellas for sun protection, and there’s a stage where live music plays throughout the day. Matches are also broadcast here, so you can catch the action while relaxing.

Beyond The Common, smaller vignettes are scattered around the grounds—benches, couches, beach chairs, and even grassy patches where you can stretch out between matches.

Near the northside entrance, across from Stadium 3, there’s a smaller fan zone featuring sponsor booths and a kids’ area with games and space to run around.

All in all, there’s something for every type of fan, whether you’re looking to recharge, be entertained, or just enjoy the atmosphere.

Player Interviews

Post-match press highlights from Day 5:

* Jasmine Paolini – Working to regain confidence in the second half of the season.

* Coco Gauff – Admitted to a Love Island obsession.

* Andrey Rublev – Shared how keeping his emotions in check helped him beat Learner Tien, who recently got the better of him in DC.

* Jessica Pegula – Talked about the upcoming stretch where she has big points to defend, plus the player council’s take on the two-week Masters.

* Carlos Alcaraz – Explained why he went straight to practice after his win over Damir Dzumhur.

I’m also working on a longer Meet the Players piece on Ella Seidel and Iva Jovic, which will be coming later this summer.

🎧 All available press audio is included.

There are seven main outer courts at the Cincinnati Open. Court 4 and Court 10 are the largest—Court 10 being the famous sunken court. Courts 5 through 9, lined up in a row on the north side of the site, are all identical in size with short rows of stadium-style seating.

Before Champions Court existed, Court 10 was my favorite. The sunken court design creates an intimate feel while giving off the vibe of watching gladiators in battle. Courts 5–9, while more modest, are equally special—they’re small and close enough that you can really appreciate the variety of strokes, spins, and playing styles at this level.

And at a Masters 1000 event with a 96-player draw, the early rounds are packed with talent on these courts. In Round 2 alone, the outer courts hosted Felix Auger-Aliassime, Lorenzo Musetti, and Marta Kostyuk.

The size an intimacy of these outer courts also means its the best chance of a signature or selfie from your favourite player

You know our Ground Pass motto: come early and head to an outside court.

Player Interviews

The standout press conference today was from Iga Świątek—what started as match talk quickly turned into a lively discussion about Wicked the musical, her thoughts on it, and the popular shows she still hasn’t seen.

Other highlights:

* Holger Rune – Discussed working with new physio Marco Panichi and his relationship with Andre Agassi.

* Jannik Sinner – Confirmed his arm sleeve is not a fashion statement.

* Stefanos Tsitsipas – Shared what he likes to do between matches.

* Madison Keys – Talked about the improvements to the new site.

* Emma Raducanu – Spoke about her new coaching partnership and how it’s helping her develop her game.

* Ben Shelton – Pre Tornament

🎧 All available press audio is included.

The Cincinnati Open has four show courts this year—three returning favorites and one brand new addition:

* Center Court

* Grandstand

* Stadium 3

* Champions Court (Court 21) – new for 2025

With the expanded player field, these courts allow the tournament to spread out the star power, giving fans multiple ways to see big names in action. Center Court and Grandstand (with some general admission sections) require reserved tickets for each session, but Stadium 3 and Champions Court are general admission—meaning you can watch top players without a premium seat.

Case in point: Emma Raducanu played on Champions Court today to a completely packed crowd. This court is quickly becoming my favorite—it’s the smallest and most intimate of the four, and the surrounding landscaping makes it the most beautiful spot on the grounds.

My least favorite? Stadium 3. It’s functional but austere, and the lack of baseline seating feels like a missed opportunity for a large show court.

One quirk I love: Center Court and Grandstand intersect via a shared walkway. There’s surprisingly little noise crossover between matches, and it makes moving between the two quick and easy for fans.

Player Interviews

The weather was the star of post-match press today—hot, humid, and oppressive. Standing still for photos was brutal; playing tennis in those conditions? Unreal. But as several players noted, this is what they train for in the offseason—whether it’s for the North American summer or the Australian Open.

Highlights:

* Lulu Sun – An absolute revelation today. I hope these interviews help you get to know players like her—talents who don’t always get much media attention but have incredible backstories.

* Caroline Garcia – While the audio didn’t come out clean, she shared great reflections on her upcoming retirement at the US Open and her excitement for life after tennis, including her podcast.

* Ajla Tomljanović – Spoke about the rise of younger players and what it means for her career.

* Maria Sakkari – Shared her perspective on the new two-week Masters format.

* Ethan Quinn – Discussed playing through illness to notch a big win against a tough opponent.

* Taylor Townsend – Took us to school…

Looking Ahead

Day 4 means the start of Round 2—and with it, the arrival of the top seeds. It’s going to be even busier. Tomorrow’s focus: the Outer Courts.

🎧 All available press audio is included.

The Practice Court Upgrade

The practice court setup is so much better than last year. There’s now a permanent, dedicated area with significantly more seating, so you’re no longer crammed against a wire fence, standing for hours to catch a glimpse of a favorite player. With seating all the way around the structure, the views are much improved too.

Last year, there were blind spots where you couldn’t see parts of the court unless you were a particularly daring fan willing to go to extreme lengths. Now, most of those issues are solved.

That said, there’s still room for improvement. Some of the elevated seating sections have obstructed views—so obstructed, in fact, that you can’t see the court at all from certain spots. It’s fixable, and hopefully the tournament takes a look at it before next year.

There are also other courts around the grounds that double as both practice courts and match courts, all with upgraded seating. With the expanded player fields, there’s plenty of space for everyone to get their training in on site. The show courts themselves often serve as practice venues before the day’s matches start or between sessions.

Overall: a big improvement, with a few tweaks needed.

Media Day & Player Press

Today brought a busy mix of pre-tournament and post-match press:

* Amanda Anisimova – Reflected on her Wimbledon loss and the strong bounce-back she’s had since, plus her love for being back on hard courts—her favorite surface.

* Coco Gauff – Broke the news she won’t be playing doubles at the US Open (a disappointment for many), but hinted at a possible custom dress for the tournament.

* Venus Williams – Shared thoughtful takeaways after her loss to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

* Jessica Bouzas Maneiro – Spoke about her match against Venus and her own momentum.

* João Fonseca

* & Markéta Vondroušová – Checked in post-match.

🎧 All press conference audio is attached.

Coming Soon on Ground Pass

I also recorded two special interviews for upcoming Meet the Players and coaching-focused episodes:

* Maya Joint – Rising star and future Meet the Players feature.

* Brian Garber – Coach to Ethan Quinn, sharing insights on player development for a Meet the Professionals episode.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss them when they drop.

That’s all I could say when I stepped onto the new and improved Cincinnati Open grounds for the first time. And from what I’ve heard, a lot of the players are feeling the same way.

After the last ball was struck here in 2024, construction began immediately on a massive upgrade to prepare for this year’s expanded draw. The tournament has officially joined the 10-day Masters 1000 club, with 96-player draws on both the WTA and ATP sides. The plans were ambitious—bigger fields, bigger space, bigger everything. Could they actually pull it off?

They did. And then some.

The whole place has that new car smell. It’s like seeing an old friend from high school who’s had a glow-up, or like when your neighbors win the lottery and suddenly have a perfectly manicured lawn and a sleek new mailbox. You are like “Oh, they got money!”

This is still the Cincinnati Open—but it’s Cincinnati 2.0.

Even though I’ve been to these grounds before, Day 1 was all about getting the lay of the land again. Some things feel familiar, but so much has changed and in all the right ways. Over the next few days, I’ll be spotlighting different parts of the revamped site and how they’ve improved since last year:

* Practice Courts

* Show Courts

* Outside Courts

* Food & Fan Areas

* Landscaping & Layout

Stay tuned as I break down the upgrades from the ground up.

Media Day Vibes

Today was also Media Day—a usually chaotic but fun stretch spent waiting for players to come through the press area. For a lot of them, it’s the first time we’ve seen them since Wimbledon, so it was great to catch up.

Below, you’ll find audio snippets from the pre-tournament press conferences with:

* Venus Williams

* Iga Świątek

* Aryna Sabalenka

* Jannik Sinner

* Carlos Alcaraz

🎧 Give them a listen—and welcome to Cincinnati.

Hahaha. In all seriousness—what a run.

Watching Venus Williams compete this week was like living through a sports documentary in real time. It was raw, emotional, and inspiring. Athletes like her are just built different. And if you didn’t walk away from this tournament feeling even a little bit more motivated—what will do it for you?

Venus lost in the second round to Magdalena Fręch, but honestly, that match offered another lesson worth taking in. Fręch was asked in press—seven different ways—how she felt playing a legend like Venus, in front of a home crowd that was cheering loudly against her. And she gave the same answer every time:

“I just focused on myself.”

She accepted the moment for what it was. She didn’t try to change the energy or shrink under the occasion. She just focused on her game and made sure to take care of her serve. Isn’t that something we can all learn from?

Earlier in the Day

Going back to the start of the day—it felt like most day-session ticket holders were there for one reason: Naomi Osaka vs. Emma Raducanu.

Daniil Medvedev got things rolling by speeding through his match to reach the quarterfinals.

I asked him about Adhithya Ganesan, the young American who lost in qualifying but stayed on as a hitting partner. I’d overheard Medvedev complimenting his serve earlier in the day during his pre match practice, so I asked what he looks for in a pre-match practice partner. 🎧 Audio below.

Then came the headline match, and well… it mostly went one way. Emma Raducanu looked confident, calm, and dangerous—serving well, moving beautifully, and playing with joy. A scary combo for the field ahead

.

Naomi, for her part, was upbeat in press. She knows what she needs to do, and even though the loss stung, it didn’t shake her. She was in good spirits and already looking forward.

Townsend’s Win, Leylah’s Update, and Some Bonus Pod News

Taylor Townsend picked up a fantastic win over Sofia Kenin, flipping the result of their Wimbledon match earlier this year. She came into press ready to talk—nearly 20 minutes of thoughtful answers and insight.

I’m putting together a bonus podcast episode with sounds and scenes from the Citi Open, and her quotes will definitely be included. I’ve got a vision for this episode—I just hope I can execute it the way I want to.

So who will Taylor face next? Quite possibly her former doubles partner: Leylah Fernandez.

I asked Leylah what that matchup would feel like, and yes—I also followed up on the other storyline: her search for a date. Breaking news: she’s got one, and it’s currently set for Montreal. 😏

More Raducanu + Rybakina on the Outer Courts

Emma Raducanu wasn’t done for the day. She and Elena Rybakina won their doubles match later in the day. Like all the doubles this week, the match was played on an outer court, and what a treat it was. That court was packed, and it was absolutely worth the price of admission.

I asked Emma in press how this doubles partnership came about. Her answer?

“I ask her on the practice courts.”

Tennis, man.

Signing Off from DC

Taylor Fritz played the last match on site, and with that, Ground Pass is headed back home to New York.

Before we go, I want to take a moment to say thank you. To everyone who came up to say hi, who mentioned the podcast, who told me they follow Ground Pass—you have no idea how much that means to me.

Sometimes, for my own sanity or self-preservation, I convince myself that I’m talking into the void… that no one’s really paying attention to our tiny-but-mighty show.

But this week, you shattered that illusion. And I’m so grateful.

I hope we’re giving you something valuable—something that helps you navigate the tennis world with more confidence, and maybe even inspires you to plan a trip to a tournament yourself. Because believe it or not, these events are more accessible than you think.

See you at the next one.

A Wednesday. Middle of the week. The order of play? Not exactly inspiring at first glance—so, like most other attendees, I wandered toward the practice courts.

Even when I’m covering a tournament for Ground Pass, it’s nice to steal a quiet morning to regroup and reflect. Covering a tournament solo isn’t easy—don’t get it twisted—but I really do love it.

I headed toward Court 5, the smallest show court, because no matches were scheduled there. I figured it’d be a quiet place to sip coffee and reset. But I hadn’t checked the practice schedule.

Naomi Osaka was out there. And a quiet crowd had already gathered. So I joined them.

The Practice Courts

Some people treat the practice courts as a place to grab an up-close photo or maybe sneak an autograph—and fair enough. But they’re more than that. They’re where you can really learn about the game—especially when it’s quiet enough to hear the dialogue between player and coach.

After Naomi, Ben Shelton came out to hit. I’ve watched several of his practices with his dad, Bryan, and they’re always so insightful. If you’re on-site at a tournament, I highly recommend carving out time to watch players work on the little things.

Learner Tien and the Not-So-Upset

The match of the day? Maybe not in terms of seeding—but definitely in terms of shock and energy. Learner Tien beat Andrey Rublev, and while the rankings would call it an “upset,” I’m not so sure.

Tien has quietly put together a breakthrough year. This was his fourth top-10 win, after taking down Medvedev, Zverev, and Shelton. The crowd was pumped—but you could feel the surprise ripple through as Rublev lost. Learner, as always, seemed unphased. In press, he handled it all with calm confidence.

From the Media Room

• Daniil Medvedev was back in press with a classic quote or two. I asked him about the rise of tall players in the sport, and whether he thinks it signals the future of the game. 🎧 Audio below.

• Learner Tien, post-win, gave thoughtful answers about his development and staying grounded through this breakout season. 🎧 Audio below.

Venus, Baptiste, and Court 5 at Sunset

The biggest crowd of the day showed up for the doubles showdown between Venus Williams / Hailey Baptiste and Taylor Townsend / Zhang Shuai. The match was played on Court 5, and even though Team Venus lost, the vibe was immaculate.

Honestly, Court 5 might be my new favorite court on site—tight sightlines, great energy, and especially stunning as the sun starts to go down.

I spent most of my day there. No regrets.

Tiafoe Closes the Day

The evening wrapped with Frances Tiafoe grinding through a tough first-round win. It meant a lot—to him, and to the home crowd. He’s been vocal about wanting to win this title for years, and now he’s officially on his way.

Today’s order of play is stacked—including a can’t-miss matchup between Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu. It’ll be the headline on paper, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the outside courts steal the day again.

See you back for Day 6.

There are very few times in sports where you can say you witnessed history. That’s exactly what happened when Venus, at 45 years old, won her first-round match against world No. 35 Peyton Stearns. But let’s not make this all about her age—that’s just one small part of it.

Venus is a champion. And she doesn’t strike me as someone who would come back just for a ceremonial hit-and-giggle farewell tour. That’s what many critics of her wild card miss. Wild cards aren’t merit-based. They’re entertainment-based. They exist to bring people in, to spotlight stories, to celebrate beloved players. Venus absolutely delivered—and so did the crowd. The energy was incredible.

Sure, people always ask, “Couldn’t that wild card have gone to a younger player?” And yes, Clervie Ngounoue did get one. She’s local, exciting, and her presence drew fans too. But the idea that wild cards are strictly about rankings or future potential misses the point. Tennis is also about the moment, and the crowd got one they’ll never forget.

This is why we always advocate for attending smaller tournaments. If Venus had done this at the US Open, good luck affording a ticket. I was there for Serena’s retirement run in 2022—on a grounds pass. I couldn’t get into Ashe, but I didget to see Serena up close during a Fan Week practice (truly the best deal in sports). At a tournament like the Citi Open, though, fans got to see something just as meaningful, and they got to do it in a venue that’s intimate, accessible, and electric.

Around the Grounds

Tuesday was a packed match day, and I actually got to watch a lot of tennis, which is a real treat when covering an event. A theme emerged again: while Center Court stayed relatively empty until the night session, the outside courts were full of life.

This year, the tournament introduced a special ticket: $57 for outer court access only. And honestly? That’s all you need. The matches out there have been excellent, and the access is unbeatable.

From the Media Room

I had the chance to speak with a few players today, including:

• Jaume Munar, who’s flying under the radar a bit but having a great season. While Carlos Alcaraz grabs the Spanish player spotlight, Munar’s match against him at Queen’s was a gem—and he shared his perspective on that today. 🎧 Audio below.

• Taylor Townsend, currently world No. 2 in doubles and a two-time Grand Slam champion… still without a clothing sponsor. She’s taking matters into her own hands and spoke candidly about it. 🎧 Audio below.

• Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu, who both won their first-round matches and will now face each other in Round 2. I asked them what they think of the matchup. Naomi’s audio is below—but its not great so added a screen shot of the transcript; and Emma’s response is also included.

Naomi’s Response:

Emma’s response:

Another standout day at the Citi DC Open—this one with a bit of historical weight.

See you tomorrow for Day 5.

But let’s back up.

What were the grounds like on a Monday in DC, the first day of the main draw? Packed.

Sometimes tournaments start slow—weekday crowds trickle in, the energy builds. Not here. A line had already formed before the gates opened, with fans rushing to grab their spots at the practice courts or catch the first matches of the day.

I met a lovely Ground Pass listener—hi Randy (hope I’m spelling that right!)—who told me she had taken two days off work just to be here. I’m guessing that’s the case for a lot of folks: they plan ahead and treat this tournament as a mini summer holiday. Randy was hoping to see Naomi Osaka, but since she’s not playing until Tuesday, she made the most of it by catching her practice session. A small consolation. Honestly, tennis could do a better job helping fans plan which days to attend—but that’s a topic for another post.

And for everyone who’s said hi on the grounds or mentioned the podcast or social—please keep doing that. I love chatting tennis with you, and it helps us know what things you are interested in learning about.

Around the Grounds

As the matches wrapped up, the press mixed zone got busy. (For those new here: the mixed zone is a small interview area courtside with a step-and-repeat backdrop where players do quick press after wins or losses.)

I spoke with Victoria Mboko about what it might feel like to return to Canada for her home WTA 1000 event—especially after her meteoric rise this season. She hasn’t played there since her breakout, and she’s guaranteed a hero’s welcome. 🎧 Audio from our chat is below.

We also recorded a 1-on-1 interview for an upcoming special episode of the podcast called Dispatches from Ground Pass On Site. We get so many great interviews during tournaments, and we’re excited to start collecting them in one series where you can really get to know these players and their personalities.

Also in the mix:

• Matteo Arnaldi told me about his custom basketball warm-up shirts with his name on the back

• Dan Evans explained why skipping the Olympics was never an option last year

Doubles, Venus, and Durant

While Center Court sat half-full for parts of the day, the outer courts were buzzing—especially for doubles. Nick Kyrgios and Gaël Monfils put on a show, but the real draw was Venus Williams teaming up with Hailey Baptiste.

They won their match against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue, and I was able to ask both Venus and Hailey what the moment meant to them. I also spoke with Genie about her decision to retire—more on that soon.

Oh, and casually in the crowd? Kevin Durant. He walked right by me while I was waiting in the mixed zone. It was another reminder of just how accessible this tournament is. To get from the player area to the courts, players walk a short path through the fan zone. No tunnels, no hidden walkways. Just a narrow path through the crowd—and everyone has been respectful, with players often stopping for a selfie or a quick chat.

The day ended as the sun set over a packed Center Court for the doubles match between Frances Tiafoe & Ben Shelton and the Aussie pair John Peers & Matt Ebden.

Not a bad way to close out a wild, wonderful first day of main draw action.

I’ve said this on the podcast before, but I got into tennis because of the Williams sisters. They looked like me, they had hair like me, and as someone who grew up super athletic—showing muscle tone way before it felt “normal”—it was comforting to see strong female athletes owning the court. It made me feel less weird. More powerful, even.

So imagine the full-circle moment when I got to ask Venus Williams a question about her legacy and the growing popularity of tennis in the U.S.

It didn’t totally register in the moment—but it definitely hits now.

🎧 Audio of the full press conference is below, and here’s a link to the tournament’s video version.

That moment pretty much set the tone for Day 2 on the grounds. I arrived to find a line already forming at the gates—a great sight, especially for qualifying. The field was packed with exciting young players, and they had a real crowd to play in front of.

The practice courts? Standing-room only. You couldn’t even see the court when Frances Tiafoe and Daniil Medvedev were out there.

First come, first serve—and I swear I saw the same group of fans holding down their spots every time I walked by. These moments matter—especially for fans who might not be able to snag pricey center court tickets.

And speaking of the crowd: outside of New York, this is easily the most diverse and youngest tennis audience I’ve seen all year. It was vibrant, it was loud, it was fun. One of the best parts of this tournament is its setting—right in the middle of the city, in a public park. Metro, bike, rideshare, walk—it’s all accessible.

I spent most of today filming for our Ground Pass Tournament Guide and grabbing footage for social. If you’re not already following us everywhere—what are you doing? Here’s our Linktree.

From the Media Room

I got the chance to sit down one-on-one with McCartney Kessler, who’s making her main draw debut here in DC. We talked about her transition from college tennis to the pro tour, how she’s finding her rhythm on hard courts, and what it means to compete at a tournament like this. 🎥 A clip from our conversation is below—full interview coming soon.

Ben Shelton also came through media today, and I asked him about the energy of the US summer hard court swing and how he sees the sport growing in the States.

🎧 Audio below.

Jessica Pegula and Frances Tiafoe were in as well, though I’ll admit I was slightly distracted by JPEG’s guest: a service dog-in-training named Tucker. She’s partnering with K9s For Warriors, and Tucker was busy winning hearts. Extremely good boy.

Tomorrow the main draw begins—and I don’t know about you, but I’ve got my eye on that last match scheduled for Center Court: Ben Shelton & Frances Tiafoe playing doubles together? Say less.

Day 3 at the Hall of Fame Open started off with tennis on the grounds and a bit of optimism… but then came the downpour. And not just a passing shower — a full-on deluge that flooded the courts and shut down play for the rest of the day.

When that happens in Newport, there’s only one place to go: the International Tennis Hall of Fame Museum.

If you’ve never been, the museum is a treasure trove of tennis history. It houses memorabilia, old tennis kits, vintage trophies, and plaques honoring every Hall of Fame inductee. It’s so worth wandering through the space — not just for the historical context, but for the pure style inspiration. Some of those old-school tennis kits were incredible. Can we bring that fashion flair back, please? The uniqueness, the tailoring, the drama… it’s sorely missed.

As for the courts, once they’re soaked, that’s it — the surface in Newport is different from Wimbledon’s, and without covers, play can’t resume until things dry out naturally. Chris Eubanks actually gave us a great explanation of this in our Day 2 conversation, which you’ll definitely want to check out if you’re curious about grass court differences.

So while there wasn’t much tennis on Day 3, it was still a fitting close to a fun, whirlwind trip. We filmed a ton, talked to some great players, and soaked up as much as we could from this unique tournament. Our interviews with finalists Tatjana Maria and Caty McNally are already live — watch Tatjana’s here and Caty’s here — both part of our Meet the Players series.

Thanks for joining us on this three-day Newport adventure. Hope it gave you a feel for the Hall of Fame Open — one of the most charming stops on the calendar.

Next up: The Mubadala Citi DC Open. See you there!

I spent most of the day zig-zagging across the grounds filming for our upcoming Ground Pass Tournament Guide to the Newport Open and snapping photos for the website and socials. These solo media days are a bit of a whirlwind — I’m doing everything myself, and I’ll admit, I’m still not totally comfortable in front of the camera. But I keep pushing through because I really do love bringing you all the sights and sounds from the tournaments. And hopefully, it helps if you’re thinking about visiting one day too.

A couple standout moments from Day 2:

Seeing Tatjana Maria play up close was a treat. I’ve watched her on TV plenty of times, but courtside, you really get a sense of her unique game — the angles, the slices, the way she moves around the court. It’s such a different experience in person.

Also: Bernard Tomic was on the grounds today. Yes, that Bernard Tomic. I briefly considered trying to interview him… and then quickly chickened out. (One day.)

I genuinely didn’t think I’d get to speak with any players with the way the schedule (and weather) was going — but right at the end of the day, I went back-to-back with Caty McNally and Chris Eubanks. Caty and I chatted about her return from injury and what it was like facing her friend Iga Swiatek on Centre Court at Wimbledon.

And Chris offered great insight on how Newport’s grass compares to the lawns of Wimbledon — turns out, not all grass is created equal.

In the end, it was a very full day — muggy, chaotic, a little rain-soaked, but worth every second.

Back again today, possibly to watch a hedge fund manager make history… oh boy.

🎾 Enjoying the dispatches? Share this post with a tennis friend who loves the behind-the-scenes moments.

I arrived to a bit of cloud cover and rain, but honestly, just stepping onto the grounds gave me that familiar tournament thrill. The Hall of Fame Open used to be an ATP 250, but this year it returns as a combined ATP Challenger and WTA 125 event — which means more players, more matches, and even more tennis to explore.

And let me tell you, they are making the most of the space. This is a small, intimate venue with just one main court and a few outer courts — all side by side, with just a line of line-calling tech and a chair umpire between them. I was amazed at how focused the players stayed, even with a match happening just steps away. Even the main court is split down the middle, with two matches running at once. It’s a bit of organized tennis chaos — in the best way.

Despite the weather, the grounds were buzzing. The clouds eventually cleared, and fans packed the stands and the walkways. It’s one of the most charming tournament venues I’ve been to — lush, green, and full of history. The wooden buildings that surround the courts are beautifully preserved, and the grounds are incredibly walkable.

As with most day ones, I think of it as a soft launch — no top seeds yet, but still lots to take in. I caught Eliot Spizzirri and Destanee Aiava in action, both scoring wins in their openers.

I also had the chance to catch up with Eliot after his match — keep an eye out for that conversation in an upcoming Meet the Players episode.

All in all, a great intro to Newport. I’ll be back on site today — and yes, I’m definitely planning to check out the museum.

👉 Planning a tennis trip? Forward this post to a friend who’s thinking about hitting the tournament trail.

Yes, you read that right. Before we hit the hard courts, we’re taking a little detour to the coast for the newly reformatted Hall of Fame Open, which has transformed from an ATP 250 into a combined Challenger event featuring both ATP Challenger and WTA 125 action. It’s grass. It’s casual. It’s full of tennis history. And we’re here for all of it.

If you’re new to Ground Pass On Site, welcome! This is our on-the-ground travel diary where we bring you daily updates from the tournaments we attend, including behind-the-scenes moments, interviews with players, and tips to help you plan your own trip to a tournament someday. Think of us as your tennis travel test run—with way more sunscreen and way less hydration than recommended.

This is our first stop of the summer, but it won’t be the last. We’ll also be doing some housecleaning on the Substack soon, with updates to our subscription tiers and a few new features in the works. We’re a small independent operation, and your support—especially as a paid subscriber—helps keep the whole thing moving.

Stay tuned, stay subscribed, and we’ll see you on the grass 🌱

And if you’ve got a friend thinking about going to a tennis tournament this summer, forward them this newsletter—they might just thank you later.

—Anastasia

Ground Pass

This was Quarterfinal Day at the Charleston Open—my final day on-site—and while things started a bit slowly, the matches delivered.

Bouncing Between Courts (and Heatwaves)

The schedule was back-loaded, so I spent most of the day jumping between courts, trying to keep up with the quarterfinal action. I just made it to Ekaterina Alexandrova vs. Diana Shnaider in time to catch Alexandrova’s win.

She’d been quietly working her way through the draw, and watching her live gave me a new appreciation for her game—there’s a calm precision to how she plays that doesn’t always come through on TV.

Between matches, I took time to shoot photos for a new photo series I’ve been working on: players + flowers. The Charleston grounds are full of colorful, blooming corners, and it felt like the perfect place to spotlight that blend of athleticism and environment.

You can check out the full series on Instagram

—and yes, Jessica Pegula reposted one of them, which was very cool.

Sitting Down with Amanda Anisimova

Before heading off to the next match, I got the chance to sit down with Amanda Anisimova, who opened up about her goals for this season.

She later had to withdraw from her semifinal due to injury, but she’s staying positive, focused on the bigger picture, and has a good outlook on where things are headed. Audio from that interview is included below.

Drama, Comebacks, and Classic Collins

While many of the day’s matches wrapped up in straight sets, Ashlyn Krueger and Emma Navarro gave us a three-set battle worth following.

Still, I headed over to catch Danielle Collins vs. Jelena Ostapenko—and in true tennis fashion, things changed quickly. Jelena was serving for the first set when I left for the court. By the time I arrived, Danielle had won the set. That’s tennis for you. Blink, and everything flips.

A Cocktail & A Pro Tip

I finally tried the Charleston Open’s signature cocktail—The First Serve—and it lived up to the name. Not too sweet, just right. Highly recommend if you ever find yourself here.

And here’s a pro tip for next time:

If you’re heading to a packed court (like Althea Gibson Stadium) after a big match finishes on Center Court, don’t follow the crowd. While the front entrance was backed up with a long line, I walked around to a side entrance—zero wait. There are three ways into that court. Choose wisely.

Why Charleston Wins (and Why I’ll Be Back)

When I came to the Charleston Open, I wanted to find out why it’s been named the WTA’s Best 500-Level Tournament three years in a row.

Now I know: it’s the people.

The staff, the volunteers, the fans, the vibe on the grounds—it’s all warm, welcoming, and deeply tennis-loving. It makes this tournament feel like home, even on your first visit.

Thanks for following along with Ground Pass On-Site: Charleston Edition. Can’t wait to take you along for the next one.

📩 Subscribe for the next stop on the tour (announcement coming soon!)

Daria Kasatkina’s Aussie Debut 🇦🇺

The highlight of the day had to be Daria Kasatkina playing her first match as an Australian tennis player.

It was a sweet moment, and the crowd didn’t miss the opportunity to lean in—“Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” rang out across the court. Daria won her match in straight sets, and in her post-match interview, she spoke about how warm the reception has been and what this new chapter has meant to her.

Audio is included below.

A Busy Day for Fans and Media 🎤🎾

There was a buzz across the grounds today—not just from the matches but from all the player interviews, post-match press, and behind-the-scenes media moments happening everywhere.

One thing I’ve really loved seeing at this tournament: school groups. Several local schools brought kids to the grounds today, and honestly, I’ve always wondered why this isn’t more common.

Weekday tennis has so many open seats, and it’s the perfect opportunity to get young fans into the sport. Watching their excitement around the grounds made me hopeful that more tournaments will start to build these kinds of community connections.

Diana Shnaider’s Birthday Win + Bandana Rules 🎉

Today was also Diana Shnaider’s birthday—and she won her second-round match.

I talked to her in a one-on-one interview about what it’s like to play on your birthday (she’s not a fan) and how her success in doubles this season has helped her grow in singles. We also got into something very specific:

She only wears her bandana in singles. Never in doubles.

She’s very intentional about it.

Audio from that convo is below.

Kenin vs. Bencic: When the Buzz Takes Over 🐝

One of my favorite little tournament phenomena happened today:

Sofia Kenin took the first set against Belinda Bencic 6–0, and suddenly—the grounds started shifting.

You could feel the energy change as crowds picked up on what was happening and started making their way to the court. I love when this happens. It’s like word-of-mouth energy but in real time.

Instagram Q&A Is Live!

We’re keeping busy over on Instagram, too. Today we kicked off a Q&A, and we’ve been posting a bunch of behind-the-scenes content from the Charleston Open.

If you haven’t checked it out, you should—link below!

That’s all from Day 3. More from the grounds tomorrow—subscribe to keep up with the action!

📩 [Link to Instagram]

As Ground Pass grows, I’ve been thinking more about how to show the full experience of traveling for tennis. Because most of us don’t just go for the tennis—we turn it into a trip. A long weekend, a mini vacation, something more. So I want to start giving Ground Passers a better sense of what it’s like on the ground and in the city that hosts the tournament.

And if you know me, you know that the way I get to know a city is through coffee.

Madison Keys’ Coffee Rec of Choice: ☕️ Second State Coffee

During media day, I asked Madison Keys—who we know loves both her coffee and this city (she got married here last year)—for her favorite Charleston coffee spot. Without hesitation, she said: Second State Coffee.

She did not steer me wrong.

Great vibes, amazing coffee, and clearly a local favorite. In fact, I’m writing this newsletter from Second State right now.

While downtown, I also saw the horse carriage tours that Qinwen Zheng mentioned in her media day interview (which we included in yesterday’s newsletter). She said she had never been on a horse before and seeing them reminded her how much she would like to some day—and sure enough, there they were, trotting through downtown as I sipped my flat white.

Back on the Grounds: Tuesday Energy 🎾

Back at the tournament, Tuesday was packed. Yes, Tuesday.

It felt like a weekend. People showed up in their Sunday best, full hats and all, and the crowd energy was electric. It’s clear the Charleston Open is a major local event, and families come out even during the workweek.

This was the day that top seeds began their campaigns—

👟 Madison Keys

👑 Danielle Collins (defending champ)

🌟 And more getting their first matches in.

Meet the Players Sneak Peek 🎤

Today, I sat down with:

• Peyton Stearns & Diana Shnaider, who are playing doubles together

• Hailey Baptiste, coming off an incredible run at the Miami Open

These chats will be part of our Meet the Player series soon, but I’ve included a few teaser clips below. Full episodes coming soon 👀

Closing the Day with Sunset Tennis 🌅

We closed out the day watching Veronika Kudermetova (if you know, you know) and Amanda Anisimova. The sunset at Charleston was unreal—the golden light hitting the court as matches played on was one of those moments that reminds you why tennis in this setting is so special.

See you tomorrow for more from the grounds—

📩 Subscribe for updates, player interviews, and tennis adventures.

We’ve made it to Charleston—and it’s our first time ever covering a WTA-only event. After attending ATP-only and mixed events, we wanted to switch things up in 2025 and find out why the Charleston Open is constantly ranked among the best.

It turns out, the hype is real.

Why Charleston?

The Charleston Open is the largest WTA-only tournament in North America and a WTA 500-level event. Not only that, it’s been voted Best WTA 500 tournament in the world for three years in a row. That’s a pretty big deal—and we came to see what makes this event so beloved.

We landed in Charleston and went straight from the airport to the grounds. From the moment we arrived, it was easy to see why players and fans love it here.

The vibe is warm, welcoming, and refreshingly relaxed—something you immediately feel in the energy of the staff, volunteers, and attendees. That Southern hospitality is real, and it brings a unique charm that sets this tournament apart.

Small Grounds, Big Energy

The venue is intimate and easy to navigate—roughly half the size of Indian Wells or the US Open—but every court brings you close to the action.

The main courts include:

• Credit One Stadium

• Althea Gibson Stadium

• Court 3

Each court is compact enough to create that magic you only get when you feel right there with the players, no matter where you’re sitting.

It’s still early days, so we’re holding off on a full review—but first impressions? We’re loving the feel of this place.

Media Day Highlights 🎤

Today was also Media Day for the top-seeded players, who all have a first-round bye.

The standout of the day was Daria Kasatkina, who is officially playing her first tournament as an Australian permanent resident after previously representing Russia. We’ve included the audio from her interview below.

[Apologies for the audio. The Media Day interview location was not ideal]

We also heard from Qinwen Zheng, who had a great moment with the press. While she can appear intense and serious on court, she showed a fun, warm, and chill personality during media day—describing this duality as something she’s aware of and leans into.

We’ll be sharing more from today’s press sessions later this week—lots of great insights and moments still to come.

Main Draw Begins (And Then Ends Early) ⛈️

It wasn’t just media day—the main draw kicked off, too. We caught first-round wins from Robin Montgomery and Ajla Tomljanović, (shoutout to autocorrect trying to sabotage her name every time) and we’ll be featuring interviews with both players in an upcoming podcast.

But the day was cut short by severe thunderstorms, a not-so-subtle reminder that we are officially in the Lowcountry. Play was suspended, and everyone took cover as the storm rolled through.

And then—just as quickly—the skies cleared and we were treated to one of the most magical sunsets we’ve seen in a while. A little chaos, a little calm. The full Charleston experience.

We’re off to a great start, weather and all. Can’t wait to bring you more from the grounds tomorrow.

📩 Subscribe to get all Ground Pass On-Site updates from Charleston!

Over the last couple of months, I’ve been slowly building out this space, and while it’s still very much a work in progress, it finally gives me a dedicated place to work on Ground Pass—separate from my living space. Call it a step toward work-life balance.

Once the tours shift to Europe, I’ll be launching a Substack series about building out the office space, so if that kind of behind-the-scenes content is your thing, make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it.

Before I Go: The Admin Work

Before heading out to a new tournament, there’s always a bit of pre-trip admin. This is something I’ve only recently gotten into—because now that I’ve covered enough events, I started worrying about losing footage, photos, or project files.

So I’ve developed a backup process that works for me (for now), and it’s helped ease that post-tournament content panic. If you’re a fellow creator, I might share more on that in a future post or over on Notes.

Planning the Coverage 🎥

When it’s time to prep for the next Ground Pass On-Site trip, I sit down and ask myself a few key questions that help shape the way I’ll cover the event:

• Have I been to this tournament before?

• How long will I be there?

• Do I have media access? That makes a big difference in what kind of content I can produce.

• What’s the balance between photo, video, and interviews?

• How much of the surrounding city do I plan to explore? This helps Ground Passers plan their own trips.

More and more people are traveling for tennis, and one day I’d love to start including more of that perspective—how to build a trip around a tournament—as part of what we do here.

As I continue to figure out my rhythm with Substack, I’ll be sharing more of this kind of stuff in the Notes section, too. Thanks for being here as Ground Pass continues to grow!

📩 Subscribe to keep up with our next tournament and the new behind-the-scenes series on “The Office.”

For a low cost, you get to explore the grounds, soak in the atmosphere, and watch high-level tennis—all without the crowds and premium ticket prices of later rounds.

Morning Sessions & a Surprise Reunion 🎥

We got to the grounds early to watch some practice sessions and grab b-roll footage for upcoming videos. And then, we had a surprise visit from our friend Blair Henley—which was awesome.

If you don’t know Blair, she was the first guest on our Meet the Professionals series, where we highlight the people who work in and around tennis. You can check out that episode below.

The Best Places to Hang Out on the Grounds ☀️

One thing Miami does really well? Fan spaces.

There are so many great spots to relax around the grounds, and this year, they’ve added even more. My favorite? The cabana-style pods in front of the big screen—the perfect place to find shade and still keep up with the matches.

Connecting with the Tennis Media & Creator Community 🎤

This trip was short, but I spent a lot of time catching up with fellow tennis media and creators.

It wasn’t planned, but it reminded me how great this community is. We’re all working toward the same goal—growing the sport and sharing it with different audiences, no matter their level of tennis knowledge. It’s been fun being part of that.

Miami Open Deserves More Respect 👀

This trip was also a reminder of how great the Miami Open is.

Indian Wells gets all the hype—“Tennis Paradise,” the “5th Slam,” etc.—and sometimes Miami gets treated like the lesser sibling. But it’s a really well-run, fan-friendly event. The setup is great, the vibe is fun, and honestly? The best food I’ve had at a tournament this year.

And the ticket prices? Reasonable. It feels like the People’s Slam. Can we make that a thing? 😅

Where Are We Off to Next? 👀

We’ll be announcing our next tournament stop here soon. Stay tuned!

📩 Subscribe now to follow Ground Pass On-Site at our next stop!

✅ Posted to our Instagram

✅ Uploaded the latest episode of Ground Pass—available on

or wherever you listen

✅ Scheduled the first Ground Pass On-Site from Miami—

Ticket Prices & Ground Pass Costs 🎟️

Ground passes today were $20. I’ll try to share exact prices as we move through tournaments to help you plan if you’re thinking of attending in the future.

First Match of the Day: Eva Lys vs. Aoi Ito 🎾

The first match we caught was Eva Lys vs. Aoi Ito. Spoiler: Eva Lys didn’t make it into the main draw—but she could still get in as a lucky loser. If she does, it would be her third time this year.

Meanwhile, Aoi Ito was a revelation. If you’re on-site, she’s a must-watch.

Plans Change, and That’s the Best Part

Not everything went as planned today—but that’s what we love about being on-site.

🎾 Met up with Tony Wright (Balanced Tennis on Instagram)

🎾 Took the day at an easier pace

🎾 Caught up with friends in the tennis media world—big events like Miami are great for networking

ATP Qualifying Standouts 🔥

🎾 Ethan Quinn took down Adrian Mannarino in his first qualifying match.

🎾 Mikael Ymer lost to Billy Harris—but it was still good to see Ymer back on tour. He was a promising prospect before his recent ban, so hopefully, he can work his way back to his old level.

What’s Next?

Back on-site tomorrow for the start of the WTA main draw and the final day of ATP qualifying.

See you then!

📩 Subscribe now to follow Ground Pass On-Site at the Miami Open!

I’m still learning and finding my rhythm covering tournaments. Sometimes, I try to do it all—writing newsletters, shooting videos, taking photos, attending press conferences—and it can be overwhelming. But I love it because I love building Ground Pass. This year has been huge, with Ground Pass getting its own media accreditation at tournaments.

Our first event? Delray Beach. Now? Miami Open.

Ground Pass: Holding Its Own in Tennis Media 🎤

Here’s a little-known secret: to cover these events, you usually need to be attached to a larger media outlet. That’s how I’ve been accredited for about 50% of the tournaments I attend. But Ground Pass is now established enough to get its own credentials. This is the first Masters 1000 tournament we’ve covered under the Ground Pass name.

At smaller events like Champaign Challenger and Delray Beach (ATP 250), my media badge just said “Media.” But now, I finally have a badge that says Ground Pass.

Final Wrap from Indian Wells 🎧

I had an incredible time partnering with Black Spin Global at Indian Wells. We recorded a final podcast episode, which will be available on their YouTube channel—I’ll drop the link here when it’s out!

Miami Open vs. Indian Wells: Two Different Worlds 🌎

The contrast between these two tournaments is stark.

☀️ Indian Wells is tennis elite—dry desert heat during the day, cold at night.

🌴 Miami is hot, humid, and vibrant. The food scene is next level. The energy is completely different, and you feel the city’s culture woven into the tournament.

Fan Day & Women’s Qualifying = Massive Crowds 🎟️

Today was Fan Day and the first day of women’s qualifying. Tickets were FREE, and the Miami Open completely sold out—over 30,000 fans came through the gates. That’s huge for the tournament and an incredible atmosphere for the players grinding through qualies.

We’re just getting started here at the Miami Open, and it’s not our last stop during the U.S. Spring Swing. Stay tuned for more.

📩 Subscribe now to follow Ground Pass On-Site through the Miami Open and beyond!

The Women’s Final: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Mirra Andreeva 🐻

This match feels like a mama bear vs. her cub—Sabalenka has owned this head-to-head so far, but Andreeva has a new confidence about her that could make this one interesting. Sabalenka’s power and experience vs. Andreeva’s sharp court sense and rising belief—it’s a matchup that could tell us a lot about the WTA’s future.

The Men’s Final: Jack Draper vs. Holger Rune 🔥

The 2000s babies are officially taking over the later stages of these tournaments, and Indian Wells is no exception.

We’ve been talking all week about Jack Draper’s impressive run, and after defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the semis—denying him a historic three-peat—he’s now in his biggest final yet. If you caught our last newsletter, we included audio from his press conference, where he spoke about managing his chronic hip injury. Despite that challenge, he’s played brilliant tennis all week.

His opponent? Holger Rune, who’s finding his way back into form. A couple of years ago, Rune looked like he was ready to be part of a “Baby Big Three” alongside Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, but his results stalled. Seeing him back in a big final is a good sign—not just for him, but for the sport. He’s one of the most entertaining characters on tour, and when he’s playing well, tennis is better for it.

A Quick Word on Carlos Alcaraz 🤔

Alcaraz has made a quarterfinal, two semifinals, and won a title so far this year—a record that 90% of the ATP tour would be thrilled with. But because of his talent and early success, some see this as a disappointing start to the season.

It’s worth remembering: he’s only 21. He plays with emotion, and sometimes that means riding highs and lows. That passion is part of what makes him such a compelling player, but it also means we’ll likely see hot and cold spells throughout his career. Liked these two excerpts from his final press conference (included below).

Final Day at Indian Wells Vibes: Like the Last Day of School 🎓

Sunday, March 9th, was my last day on the grounds, and it felt like the last day of school—a day of walking around, catching up with friends, and saying goodbyes.

Also recorded the Mini Pod, which dropped last Monday. We tried to answer the question: What does #TennisParadise mean? We got a variety of answers from friends and tried to come up with our own. Plus, we threw in some additional tips for attending Indian Wells next year.

🎧 Find the episode on all podcast platforms (Spotify, Apple, etc.).

📺 Watch the video version on YouTube (linked below).

A Tough Scheduling Day for the Tournament 📅

Even on the last day of the middle weekend, the crowds were still strong, though slightly quieter than earlier in the weekend.

One scheduling twist: Alex Michelsen had to retire against Daniil Medvedev due to injury, meaning he also withdrew from his doubles match with Ben Shelton. His retirement opened up a slot on Stadium 1, so the highly anticipated Stadium 4 match between Holger Rune & Ugo Humbert was moved there—a bummer for ground passers who had planned to watch it on an outside court. This is an unfortunate possibility with retirements at tournaments.

That’s a Wrap from Indian Wells! 🎬

And with that, our time at Tennis Paradise comes to an end.

Where are we off to next? You’ll have to wait and see… 👀

📩 Subscribe now to keep up with Ground Pass On-Site—more tournaments ahead!

Instagram Q&A & Surprising Questions 💬

We ran a Q&A on our Instagram, and some of the questions we got really made us think about aspects of the tournament we hadn’t considered before. If you missed it, we’ve saved the highlight on our Instagram—you can find it here.

More Routine Matches, But a Wild Day Before 🎾

Compared to the drama of March 7th, when Alexander Zverev lost in an epic 3+ hour match, today’s matches were a little more straightforward. But we still had some big names making their tournament debuts:

✅ Madison Keys breezed through her opening match.

✅ Carlos Alcaraz finally took the court.

✅ Lance Davis, the local beekeeper, made his return.

0Novak Djokovic’s Shocking Early Exit 🚨

For the second straight time, Novak Djokovic has lost in his opening round at Indian Wells to a lucky loser qualifier. This time, it was Botic Van de Zandschulp who pulled off the upset, taking down the former world No. 1.

Other Key Results of the Day 🔥

🎾 Aryna Sabalenka took down Macartney Kessler, who is having a breakout season in just her second year on tour—already notching wins over Coco Gauff and claiming a title this year.

🎾 Jack Draper defeated Joao Fonseca in a classic case of experience beating youth. Draper is now into the semifinals, a huge step forward from last year. He’s getting closer to breaking into the Top 10, a level he already looks like he belongs in. He also spoke in press about managing his chronic hip injury—you can listen to the full audio below.

🎾 Jasmine Paolini battled past Iva Jovic, another exciting young prospect.

🎾 Coco Gauff is still winning ugly—but winning is winning.

🎾 Taylor Fritz advanced as well and opened up about recovering from the oblique injury he’s been carrying since the Australian Open.

Ending the Day with a Party 🎉

After a long day, we wrapped things up by attending the Racquet Mag Surf Club party. A fun way to close out a packed day on-site.

📩 One more Ground Pass On-Site update from Indian Wells drops Saturday—subscribe now so you don’t miss it!

A Packed Middle Weekend Begins 🎟️

Friday marked the first day of the middle weekend, and you could feel the shift. The crowds have been steadily building, but Friday is when things really took off. The busiest stretch of the tournament has officially begun.

The Heart of the Tournament 🏟️

A lot of the action at Indian Wells revolves around Stadium 1, which also houses the media center. Right next to it? The two main practice courts and the famous lawn area, where players warm up and hang out between sessions. Plenty of tournaments have tried to imitate this setup, but Indian Wells did it first—and does it best.

Non-Stop Coverage & Connections 🎤

Today was a blur of running between practice sessions, matches, and press conferences—which can come up suddenly, meaning you have to drop everything and go. But one of the highlights has been meeting and connecting with other journalists and people who work on the tours.

Players in Focus 🎾

👀 Ben Shelton remains one of the most popular faces on the practice courts—wherever he goes, the crowds follow.

📸 Got to shoot Chris Harrison & Evan King, who play their first match on Monday.

Quick Bites & Hard Truths 🍕

Best spot for a quick bite on-site? Moto Odd Pizza. Turns out, I’m not the only one who thinks so—it’s one of the most popular food stops on the grounds.

I ended the day early because I hit a wall—physically and mentally. Had a real heart-to-heart debrief in the shuttle back to the parking lot. Some days, the focus just isn’t there, and that’s okay. That’s what Ground Pass On-Site is all about—showing the real experience, not just the highlights.

Tomorrow, we reset and go again.

📩 Subscribe now to follow along with Ground Pass On-Site at Indian Wells!

This keeps it real and reflective while still hitting all the key moments of the day. Let me know if you’d like any tweaks! 🚀🎾

*****

Tried something new today and filmed throughout the day—definitely the way to go. It was a cold, windy day that ultimately ended in rain, but there was still plenty of great tennis and behind-the-scenes moments before the weather took over.

Doubles First, Always a Good Choice 🎾

Started the day with doubles, and I’m glad I did. Mirra Andreeva & Diana Shnaider’s match was absolutely packed. When it comes to outside courts at big tournaments, they fill up FAST. If there’s a match you don’t want to miss, make a plan, get there early, and claim your spot.

What Makes Indian Wells Special? 🎤

Spent a lot of the day meeting up with friends and asking a simple question: What does “Tennis Paradise” mean to you? Indian Wells has a unique place in the tennis calendar, and these conversations will be part of a mini-podcast dropping Monday—stay tuned for that!

Match of the Day: Gabriel Diallo’s Lucky Loser Run 🍀

Biggest result of the day? Gabriel Diallo, a lucky loser, winning his first-round match against Zhang Zhizhen. These kinds of stories are what make tournaments exciting—players who get a second chance and take full advantage of it.

Conversations from Press 🎤

🗣 Gaël Monfils on whether he sees himself as a mentor to Arthur Fils & Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard—a great insight into the next generation of French tennis.

🗣 Macartney Kessler after her first-round win. She’s having a fantastic season, already notching wins over Coco Gauff & Amanda Anisimova, and this is just the start of her second year on tour. She plays Aryna Sabalenka next, and she’s bringing a lot of confidence into that match

.

Rain Delays, Doubles, and Kyrgios in Press ☔

Closed the day how I started—with doubles, watching Errani/Paolini vs. Muhammad/Schuurs before the rain shut things down.

But before calling it a night, I got to attend Nick Kyrgios’ press conference after he retired from his first-round match.

🎧 Full audio from the Kyrgios press conference will be posted for paying subscribers. If you want to hear it, consider joining for exclusive content!

More to come as the tournament rolls on—thanks for following along!

📩 Subscribe now for daily Ground Pass On-Site updates from Indian Wells!

Speaking of keeping up—I know I’ve been promising these links for the last two days, so before I forget again, here they are:

🎤 DJI Mic: DJI Mic Mini

🎾 Black Spin Global on Instagram: Black Spin Global IG

🎾 Black Spin Global on BlueSky: Black Spin Global BlueSky

🔥 Tie Break Tens Replay on YouTube:

Now, let’s talk about today’s action.

The Stars Are Out… on the Practice Courts 🌟

One of the best-kept secrets of the early rounds at Indian Wells? Sometimes, the real show isn’t on the match courts—it’s on the practice courts. And today was one of those days.

If you had a ground pass, you got to see some of the biggest names in the game putting in the work:

🎾 Novak Djokovic

🎾 Carlos Alcaraz

🎾 Frances Tiafoe

🎾 Coco Gauff

🎾 Matteo Berrettini

🎾 Holger Rune

It’s insightful being just a few feet away from these stars as they fine-tune their shots before stepping into competition. I feel like I learn more about the game with every practice I watch. If you’re coming to Indian Wells early in the tournament, don’t skip the practice courts!

Matches That Caught Our Attention 👀

Even with all that star power on the sidelines, today’s first-round action did not disappoint. Some standout performances:

✅ Colton Smith – Keep this name on your radar. After winning the Cleveland Challenger last month (yep, the one we told you to check out), Colton fought through qualifying here at Indian Wells and scored a huge win over top-40 player Flavio Cobolli. We’ve got his post-match interview below.

✅ Robin Montgomery – Now this was a comeback. Down a set and trailing 5-2 in the second, Robin flipped the script and pulled out an incredible win. That’s next-level grit.

✅ Lulu Sun – Maybe Lulu started the comeback trend of the day, because she had her own thriller against Rebecca Sramkova (Player of the Fortnight alum!). A clutch tiebreak sealed the deal—solid performance.

✅ Ashlyn Krueger – After dropping the first set 0-6 against Katie Volynets, things weren’t looking great. But Ashlyn turned it around in epic fashion, winning the next two sets 6-2, 6-2. How did she do it? We’ll have to ask her!

Photo courtesy of Mauricio Paiz

More action to come as we roll into the heart of the tournament! Thanks for following along, and if you’re enjoying Ground Pass On-Site, make sure to subscribe for all the behind-the-scenes coverage.

📩 Subscribe now to keep up with all things Indian Wells!

Tie Break Tens Brings the Energy ⚡

One of the biggest highlights of the evening was Tie Break Tens, a fast-paced exhibition format that has become a fan favorite. The unique format keeps matches short and intense, making it a high-energy spectacle that guarantees entertainment. The stadium was buzzing with excitement as last year's champions, Ben Shelton and Emma Navarro, returned to defend their titles. Joining them on the court were crowd favorites Madison Keys and Tommy Paul, bringing even more star power to the event. However, by the end of the night, it was Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz who emerged victorious, showcasing their skills and composure in the high-pressure setting. The electric atmosphere and engaged crowd made it the perfect way to close out the day's events.

Inside Media Day 🎤

Media Day is always an interesting part of any tournament, giving reporters and fans a glimpse into the players’ personalities beyond their performances on the court. While these pre-tournament press sessions can sometimes feel routine and focused on the tennis, my approach to it was from a “casual” side. In an attempt to get to know these players better . Some of today’s most memorable interactions included:

* ☕ Madison Keys on her love for coffee – If you’ve followed Ground Pass for a while, you know this is a topic we’re passionate about. Hearing Madison talk about her coffee habits was both relatable and entertaining.

* 💇🏾‍♀️ Coco Gauff on hair care and her partnership with Carol’s Daughter – As a Black girl in sports, hair has always been an important part of my routine, and it was great to hear Coco discuss her process and experiences.

* 🔥 Tommy Paul addressing the "Hottie Slam" buzz – Yes, we went there. Tommy’s reaction to the viral conversation was both hilarious and endearing.

* 🎬 Aryna Sabalenka on the Oscars and her off-court life – Aryna gave some fun insights into her style and interest in fashion and what she enjoys doing when she’s not competing.

Balancing press conferences with catching the final qualifying matches made for a hectic but exhilarating day. That’s the beauty of being on-site—there’s never a dull moment.

Final Qualifiers Punch Their Tickets 🎾

The last round of qualifying saw several players securing their spots in the main draw, with standout performances from:

* ✅ Ethan Quinn – A strong showing to earn his place.

* ✅ Hailey Baptiste – One of the most inspiring stories of the qualifying rounds.

Seeing these players fight for their spots adds another layer of excitement, as they now have the opportunity to compete against some of the biggest names in the sport.

Fun moment of the day 🎾

Watching Naomi Osaka and her team practice. They seem to have the best time.

More Exclusive Content Coming Soon!

For those who want even more in-depth coverage, I’ll be sharing full audio from the press conferences exclusively for paid subscribers on Substack. If you’re interested in hearing unfiltered responses directly from the players, make sure to subscribe.

One of the biggest highlights of today was meeting some of my online tennis friends in real life. That’s one of the best things about being on-site—getting to connect with fellow fans who share the same passion for the sport.

This is just the beginning here at Indian Wells! Stay tuned for more updates, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes moments as the tournament continues.

📩 Subscribe now to follow Ground Pass On-Site at Indian Wells!

A Windy, Yet Electric Day 💨

It was Day 2 of qualifying, and for a Monday, the grounds were buzzing. Fans showed up in big numbers, taking advantage of one of the best deals in tennis—$10 tickets for an all-day pass to incredible matches.

Beyond the qualifiers battling for their spot in the main draw, top players were already on-site, getting in practice reps before the tournament heats up.

Madison Keys Returns to the Court 🎾

One of the biggest sightings of the day: Madison Keys is back!

After capturing her first Australian Open title, this is her first tournament since that career-defining moment. It was great to see her back on court, finding her rhythm ahead of the Sunshine Swing.

Qualifying Standouts 🔥

Here are a few names who made an impression in today’s qualifying action:

✅ Ethan Quinn & Taylor Townsend advanced to the second round.

✅ Eliot Spizzirri had a quick turnaround but powered through his opening match.

✅ The grind is real—plenty of intense battles across the grounds as players fight for a coveted main-draw spot.

More to Come! 🚀

We’re on-site every day while we’re here, bringing you the best moments from Indian Wells, behind-the-scenes insights, and exclusive coverage. Our first video is already recorded and coming soon for Substack subscribers!

📩 Subscribe now to follow along with Ground Pass On-Site at Indian Wells!

A Small but Mighty Tournament 🌴

If you’re looking for an easygoing, intimate tournament experience, Delray Beach delivers. The venue is small, making it easy to navigate, with reasonable ticket prices and plenty of ways to get close to the action. The food options were solid too—I stuck to Guac-To-Go and Oakberry all week, and I have no regrets.

One of the unique aspects of Delray is that many top American players call this area home, and you can feel that local connection. The tournament starts out with a mix of veterans, young Americans, and international players, but the back end of the event is where the seeds come in and things get serious.

The Stories of the Tournament 📖

For me, the biggest story was Evan King & Chris Harrison making a deep doubles run after winning the biggest title of their careers in Dallas just a week before. It’s always special to see a team carry momentum from one tournament to the next, and they proved that their Dallas win was no fluke.

It was also a week of comebacks.

💪 Michael Mmoh continued his return after a long injury layoff, showing signs that he’s finding his rhythm again.

💪 Mackenzie McDonald snapped a brutal losing streak that had stretched since July of last year, finally getting back in the win column.

💪 Brandon Nakashima reminded everyone of the level he can bring when healthy and confident, putting together a strong run.

The Start of Something New 📝

This week was also the start of Ground Pass On-Site here on Substack. When I launched this, I wasn’t sure what shape it would take, but it’s been fun figuring that out along the way. Getting to share daily updates straight from the grounds has been a great experience, and I’m excited to keep this going at more tournaments.

What’s Next? 🎾

As we continue into the Spring American Swing, we’ll be visiting more tournaments along the way. But where exactly? You’ll have to come back to find out. Expect behind-the-scenes coverage, match stories, player interviews, and everything else that makes experiencing a tournament in person so special.

Thanks for following along this week—see you at the next stop!

📩 Not subscribed yet? Join now to keep getting on-site updates!

Harrison/King: A First-Round Battle 🎾

One of the standout matches of the day came from Chris Harrison and Evan King, who put on a great first-round contest. The level was high, and the crowd that stuck around for this one definitely got their money’s worth.

Talking to the Dallas Champs 🏆

We caught up with the Dallas Open champions to hear what their title run meant to them and how it’s shaping their plans as a doubles team. Winning a title is one thing—staying together and building on that success is another. They shared some great insight into their mindset moving forward.

Big Wins for Learner Tien & Marcos Giron 🔥

Both Learner Tien and Marcos Giron picked up solid wins today, showing their ability to navigate tricky early-round matches. Giron, in particular, looks like he’s in a good rhythm right now.

A Look Inside the Stringing Room 🎾🛠

Between matches, I spent some time with the on-site stringers, learning more about the process behind their work. It’s easy to forget just how much stringing impacts the game, from tension preferences to how often players need their racquets restrung. Seeing the operation up close gave me a new appreciation for their craft.

That’s it for today—stay tuned for more action from Delray Beach!

📩 Subscribe now to get daily updates straight from the grounds—only on Substack!

Let me know if you’d like any tweaks! 🚀🎾

A Day of Unexpected Withdrawals 😷

The day started with two late withdrawals from the tournament due to illness—Gabriel Diallo and James Duckworth. It’s a reminder for anyone attending a tournament that unexpected changes happen, and sometimes the match you were looking forward to doesn’t go ahead. The good news? There’s always plenty of action elsewhere on the grounds.

Match of the Day: Kei Nishikori vs. Mackenzie McDonald 🎾

This one was a battle. Mackenzie McDonald came into Delray Beach on a brutal losing streak dating back to July, but he snapped it today with a hard-fought win over Kei Nishikori. Nishikori, still finding his form after multiple injury layoffs, had his moments, but McDonald dug deep and finally turned things around. One to remember.

Taylor Fritz on Analytics, Popularity, and Change 📊

Taylor Fritz stopped by press today, and he had some fascinating insights into how he approaches the game. He broke down just how analytical he is on court, balancing data-driven decisions with instinct. He also spoke about how he blends tennis and lifestyle content to help grow the sport’s popularity—something few top players are thinking about as actively as he is.

And, of course, he had thoughts on two hot topics in tennis right now:

🎾 The tennis ball debate on tour—a growing frustration among players.

🎾 The upcoming mixed doubles change at the US Open—which could shake things up.

We’re dropping the full video of his press conference for paid subscribers, so stay tuned for that!

A Unique Style: Tennyson Whiting and the Double-Handed Racket 🔥

One of the most interesting players we watched today was Tennyson Whiting, who plays with a double-handed racketon both sides. It’s rare to see, but it works for him, and it was fun to watch him put it to the test against tour-level competition.

Closing with Reilly Opelka’s Return 🚀

The night ended with Reilly Opelka taking down Chris Eubanks, a big win for Opelka as he continues his return to competition. The crowd was into it, and it’s always fun to see a player with Opelka’s firepower making his presence felt again.

That’s a wrap for today! More to come from Delray Beach tomorrow.

📩 Subscribe now to keep getting exclusive on-site updates—only on Substack!

Let me know if you’d like any tweaks! 🚀🎾

Easing into the Action with Doubles 🎾

We kicked things off with a doubles match featuring Alex Michelsen and Mackenzie McDonald. A solid way to settle in and take in the tournament atmosphere—doubles at this level always delivers sharp reflexes and fast points, even if the crowd was still warming up for the day.

Cam Norrie on Adjusting to Florida 🌞

Between matches, we caught up with Cam Norrie, who shared how he’s adjusting to the Florida conditions. The humidity and shifting conditions here can be a real test, and it’s always interesting to hear how players adapt. Some thrive in it, others… not so much.

The Match of the Day: Quinn vs. Boyer 🔥

If you love long, gritty, momentum-shifting tennis, you would have been glued to Ethan Quinn vs. Tristan Boyer. The match stretched just over three hours, filled with incredible shotmaking, intense rallies, and plenty of drama. This is exactly the kind of match that makes a Ground Pass worth it—if you were here, you got to witness something special.

Michael Mmoh’s Return 🎉

After missing months on tour due to injury, Michael Mmoh is continuing his comeback, securing a first-round win here in Delray. This is his second tournament back after playing Dallas last week, and while the road back isn’t always easy, performances like this show he’s heading in the right direction.

The Delray Beach Experience 🌴

Beyond the tennis, we took some time to soak in the layout of the tournament—a compact, easy-to-navigate setup that gives fans great access to the action. And the town itself? It’s got a relaxed, beach-town feel, with some great spots to eat and unwind after a day at the courts. More on that in the next edition!

That’s it for today—stay tuned for more from the grounds. If you’re at Delray, what’s been your favorite moment so far?

📩 Subscribe for daily updates from Delray Beach—only on Substack!

Hello from Delray Beach! 🌴 The first Ground Pass On-Site episode of 2025 is here, and we’re kicking things off with a special treat—an exclusive interview with Bob and Mike Bryan!

The Bryan Brothers are legends in doubles tennis—16-time Grand Slam champions, Davis Cup heroes, and one of the most iconic teams in the sport’s history. From their incredible chemistry on court to their experiences representing Team USA, they had plenty to share.

In this episode, we chat about:

✅ Their thoughts on what can improve in the Doubles Game and their up coming chat with the ATP 👀

✅ What Davis Cup meant to them and their experience leading the current crop of young American players with Bob as the Davis Cup Captain 🇺🇸

✅ And much more… 🎾

And of course, we also share some behind-the-scenes insights from Delray Beach, where the energy is buzzing, the crowds are lively, and the Florida sunshine is in full force! ☀️

👉 Listen now to the latest episode of the pod (above) where we introduce our Substack. All Ground Pass on-site episodes will live here from now on.

You can also watch the video version of the podcast below. Its worth your while 🤣

📩 Subscribe to get every episode straight to your inbox!

If you’re at Delray this week, let us know! And if you’re tuning in from home, we’ve got plenty more Ground Pass On-Site coverage coming your way.

If you become a paying Subscriber you get to watch the full interview with the Bryan Brother’s coming later today. It even includes a little Marcos Giron cameo.