Six Insider Tips for the 2014 U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championships

Six Insider Tips for the 2014 U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championships

The U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championship is coming back to the Racquet Club February 8th - 16th. Take a look at these six insider tips for making the most of your trip to the tournament. Then, enter our contest to win tickets. 

** Update: Congratulations to "Chris" and "Laura" from the comments section - you've won a pair of tickets each! Thanks to everyone who commented. **

1. Go to the celebrity exhibition match. 

Boris Kodjoe (actor) and Mark Goodfellow (the local 'it's all good!' car guy) will team up against the Byran Brothers for a doubles exhibition match on Monday night. The Bryan Brothers have been ranked no. 1 in the world for a very long time, won Olympic gold medals in 2012, and are basically the best doubles team in the world. I hear Goodfellow is fairly serious tennis player, and Kodjoe was a tennis star in college. My point is, this should be entertaining.

2. Hit the Svedka Party Deck.

If you prefer your tennis watching with a drink in hand, you can get tickets to the Svedka Party Deck on the Club Level. A regular chair seat to the tourney is $40, but Party Deck tickets are $45, which includes complimentary Svedka vodka drinks, beer, wine, and a few snacks. The deck will be open each night of the tournament and all day during the finals weekend. Speaking of party, there's also a Ladies' Happy Hour with Boris Kodjoe on Monday. Or you can get a Valentine's Day package that includes match tickets, dinner at the Racquet Club, and drink tickets.

3. See some talent.

I already talked about the cred for the Bryan Brothers (see no. 1 above), but they're not the only top-ranked tennis players coming. Vasek Pospisil is ranked no. 25; he plays on Wednesday night. Feliciano Lopez is ranked no. 28 in the world and is playing on Thursday. The Memphis tournament champion from last year, Kei Nishikori (ranked no. 18) is coming back to defend his title. Even if those names aren't familiar to you, you can count on some great tennis from some world-class talent. 

4. Get player photos and autographs.

Because the Racquet Club is more intimate than other venues and the players don't use any secret tunnels to get around, it's easy to see the big deal athletes up close. Your best bet: wait outside of the Championship Hall 15 to 20 minutes before the start of the match to snap pictures and be generally encouraging. If you're after autographs, repeat the process at the end of the match. Just don't be that guy who's bothering the players as they're trying to get ready to play.

5. Find a place to park.

Since the Racquet Club is located in the middle of the city, parking can be tough. You could park in Sanderlin, but the spots go quickly. You could support the Boy Scouts by parking in one of the lots that they manage near the Paradiso and Clark Tower. Or, skip the crowds and park at St. Louis School on White Station. There's a shuttle that runs from the school to the tournament beginning at 5 p.m., but it's an easy (and safe) walk if you don't want to wait.

If you're going over to that Sanderlin/Whole Foods/Paradiso area at all during the tourney (especially on the weekend) you might want to look into options like riding your bike, getting a friend to drop you off, parachuting, teleportation...In all seriousness,  just make sure you leave plenty of time to park for any activites in that area. I'll be doing the latter when I check out the tournament for the first time this year (yay!). 

6. Skip paying for tickets by entering our contest.

The Racquet Club and I are giving away two pairs of tickets to the session of your choice. To enter, just comment on this post by 12 p.m., Wedesday, Feb. 5 and tell me why you want to go to the tournament, who you'd take as your tennis "date", and which session you'd choose.

For more information about the tournament and the players and advance tickets go here.


Did you know the trophy for the U.S. Nationals Indoor Championships has some Memphis flair? Check out this fancy guitar/racquet trophy situation.

Comments Make Us Happy

37
Leave a Comment
The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Bekah
Fun! I would love to win these tickets, take my BFF and have a girls night on the party deck!! We played tennis in high school, it would be so fun!!! 
February 3, 2014 4:21pm
Rebecca
My super sweet boyfriend bought me private lessons at the Raquet Club for Christmas since I mentioned wanting to learn how to play. He also gave me tennis outfits and a raquet. This would be a great way to spend Saturday Morning (Feb 15- Session 11) which coincidentally is our 3 year anniversary!
February 3, 2014 4:38pm
Patti Berry
Moving back to Memphis after 25 years.  This would be a great way to be part of the city again.
February 3, 2014 4:47pm
Daniel
Great Article!  I would LOVE to take my wife to the tournament because we have 3 small kids and lets face it sometimes its hard to make plans to get out and do something "different"!  I grew up playing tennis and played in high school and she has never been to a pro match.  Valentines day would be something cool to do on a day that can easily not live up to the hoopla."  have your people call my people. thanks.
February 3, 2014 4:54pm
Ari Eisenberg
I love tennis, and haven't seen any since moving to Memphis last year! I'd love tickets for the Tuesday evening matches, and would take my sweetheart for an early Valentine's date.
February 3, 2014 4:56pm
Chris
As a longtime supporter of the event it is good to see some publicity surround this year's event, I've missed the radio spots and billboards around town from previous years. I think I'll take you up on your Valentine's suggestion. What a great night to take my wife and two daughters out for a sweet night of tennis - 4 please! Or 2 and I'll find a sitter. 
February 3, 2014 5:15pm
Steve Chamblee
my date would be my father in which we are lucky enough to share this great sport together. Nothing would please us more than to spend this time together watching professional athletes go toe to toe on the square. I've always wanted to see the Bryan brothers play in person, what an awesome experience this would be!!
February 3, 2014 5:19pm
Adrienne
I would probably take my husband to the tournament, and I would probably vote for any of the night sessions!
February 3, 2014 5:23pm
Joy Ballard
I would love Valentine's Day tickets for my anniversary...yep, it's on Valentine's Day and my sweetie and I will be celebrating 12 wonderful tennis filled years of marriage. Night session would be awesome since he works full time. We both play league tennis, my oldest son is on scholarship at ICC (Fulton, MS) for tennis, and our two youngest (ages 7 yrs and 10yrs) also play tennis. We just love watching great tennis, and this tournament never lets us down!  Thanks for the chance!
February 3, 2014 5:39pm
Chad
Great tips! I love Memphis and would be visiting from Northwest Arkansas...  I would definitely bring my doubles partner, Bobby! We could use some tips on communication from watching the Bryan brothers, lol. We'd make a weekend of it, so sessions 11 or 12 would work for us.
February 3, 2014 5:43pm
Cari
I would love to win these tickets as a surprise for my boyfriend! He came to the states from Brazil on a tennis scholarship. He was an assistant coach for 3 years and just this year was promoted to head coach. He is the youngest head coach at the university. His team was also ranked 39th in the nation in his first year. This is the first time the tennis team has ever been ranked nationally. He is extremely dedicated to his college players and the sport! Winning these tickets would not only give me major cool points as his girlfriend, but it would also be a relaxing and exciting day off for him. He would enjoy any of the sessions but preferably Sunday. Pick me!
February 3, 2014 5:44pm
Melanie Montgomery
I'd like to go Monday with my husband.  We started playing tennis together last year and this looks like fun to watch.
February 3, 2014 5:48pm
Ryan
I would love to take my wife to this! Five years ago when we were just dating she got me my first tennis racket and taught me how to play. Since then we've loved watching tennis on TV together and have talked about seeing a game live. Hopefully this is our chance! Two tickets to the Monday date would be awesome!
February 3, 2014 6:25pm
Tess Momberger
My Dad loves tennis, and we usually only ger to enjoy watching tennis together on the T.V. But in a few weeks he will be making the drive from Nashville so we can go to the Championship together! I'm so excited! So, my date is going to be my Dad and I would pick to go to the noon Semifinal game on the 15th!
February 3, 2014 10:43pm
Larry
 I really like to attend the first weekend through Monday. I've been coming for about ten years with my tennis bud and former fellow tennis coach David! I enjoy watching not only the early matches, but also watching the practice sessions.We've also seen some great semis and finals too! 
February 3, 2014 10:59pm
lynn
We would love to attend the Monday Feb.10th event.  We are in Memphis from Colorado visiting, and would love to be a part of this Memphis event.  I would take my friend whom already said that she would love to see the match between Boris and Mark.  Thank you
February 4, 2014 12:31am
Yuing Hargett
I love this tournament! You can see world class tennis and be up close to the players. The hubby and I would be thrilled to win tix to the finals on Sunday.
February 4, 2014 7:23am
Alyssa
Ever since I moved to Memphis I wanted to go to this!! I'd definitely take my fiancé who is always up for new adventures anddd I'd hope to attend on Saturday :):) 
February 4, 2014 8:30am
Sara
I would love tickets to the February 11th event! My partner is a life long tennis player and I grew up watching tennis and going to matches. We are always looking for fun and different activities in Memphis and this would be right up our ally. Sharing a evening of tennis together would be a great date night!
February 4, 2014 11:51am
Memphis Tennis
Thanks for sharing these great tips when attending our upcoming tournament at the Racquet Club of Memphis. Make sure to follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can find us @memphistennis  Can't wait to see all of you starting this weekend. #MemphisTennis
February 4, 2014 12:54pm
Candice
I would take my wonderful mother ("Mama-Love" to all who know her). We share a level of fanaticism about tennis that is inexplicable even to ourselves. We would be postivively giddy. Giddy, I tell you!
February 4, 2014 1:12pm
Emma
My wife has always wanted to go and I have yet to get my act together as far as tickets. She's mentioned it every year for the past 3 years, so this needs to be the year. Would love Friday, Saturday, or Sunday tickets.
February 4, 2014 1:29pm
Faye
It is very rare to have a spouse team that love the same sports.  My husband and I live, eat and breath Tennis.  What's so strange about this is that it has happen in the last 10 years.  I played racketball in high school and he also played some tennis, but never to the point that we were serious about it.  There isn't a day that goes by now that we don't wake up and the first thing we do is turn to the tennis channel.  We are on a fix income so therefor we know the chance of getting to a grand slam one day it slim to none.  Giving the opportunity to attend a local tournament would be our grand slam.
February 4, 2014 1:55pm
Blake
Who I would take: A buddy I went to college with Why you should pick me: because I didn't create some sappy story... I just want the tickets Which session: I'm not picky. Beggers can't be choosers. 
February 4, 2014 2:36pm
Shawn Gates
This tournament is a great Memphis tradition. I would take my lovely wife as my date. I'd choose the happy hour with Boris. My wife would like that.
February 4, 2014 3:36pm
Bob Leopold
Love to see "It's All Good" play tennis with the Bryan Brothers!!
February 4, 2014 4:16pm
Ryan Wilkerson
My wife and I would love to go to the Tuesday 7:00 pm session with Lleyton Hewitt playing!  I have to go out of town the weekend of Valentine's Day so this would be an awesome night out for us to celebrate Valentine's Day early!
February 4, 2014 5:59pm
Ronica Matthews
I love all things Memphis! Although it is always an extreme honor to have some of tennis' best atheletes to grace the Racquet Club, I would be remissed not to see some good celebrity eye candy (Boris) take on Memphis' own good fella (Mark) in a good ol' fashion tennis tourney on the grounds of the M-town!  This is the kinda stuff that never gets televised...you just HAVE to be there!! So...Pick me...Pick me! PLEASE & thank you (in advance) *wink* ;o)
February 4, 2014 7:23pm
Laura
I would definitely take my husband. My husband and I are lovers of all sports, tennis included. We have never been to an event like this, and I think it would be so much fun and unique for a VDay date. I would probably go on February 15. Thanks for the chance to win! walkinginmemphisinhighheels.com
February 5, 2014 5:37am
Lauren
I just moved back to Memphis and I am determined to fall in love with this city. I want to expierence all it has to offer which includes some impressive sporting events (the tennis tournament and the FEDEX / St. Jude Golf Classic). I would take my husband. And I would like to atttend session 13 - nothing is more exciting when the win is just one match away!
February 5, 2014 9:49am
Ashley Meier
Would melt if I actually won. Tennis fan/player.
February 5, 2014 10:34am
Holley Whited
I'd love to go to the Wednesday 2/12/14 11am match with my 13 yr old daughter. She is a tennis player and this would be an exciting memory for us to make together. Thanks.
February 5, 2014 11:30am
Lori F
I have been coming to the tournament for about 5 years now and would love to win tickets to come back.  I would bring my sister because she loves tennis as much as I do. :)  We would love to come to the Wed Feb 12 night session.
February 5, 2014 12:23pm
katie welch
this holds a special place in my heart because in feb 2005 i went on the first official date as a couple with the man who is now my husband. We both played college tennis and he lived in Tulsa at the time and drove in the for the weekend to take me to this tournament. We still love to laugh about it because it's one of my more embarrassing moments, especially for a first date as boy friend and girlfriend. The only seats we could find were at the top of the bleachers so we climbed to the top and then i proceeded to knock over my very LARGE, very FULL purse and every.single.item. trickled down the metal frame work of the bleachers... hitting every piece of the scaffolding and framework of the bleachers below. Very loudly. (Did i mention it was at a very quiet point in the match?) it took at least a full minute for all the items to finish falling and everyone in the stands gave me death looks. It took me at 10 minutes for me, the security guard, and my boyfriend [now husband] to clean it up. HUMILIATING, BUT UNDENIABLY HILARIOUS. So, now, 9 years later, I would love to go and laugh again about that. with a purse that has a zipper. My choice would be Tuesday night, Feb 11th to see Lleyton Hewitt or Thursday February 13th to surprise my hubby with. :)
February 5, 2014 12:25pm
Deanna
I have wanted to go for years but have not been able to afford tickets. Would love to be able to see this event. 
February 5, 2014 1:09pm
jamey yoo
big tennis fan on a budget! will take another big tennis fan friend on a budget. any session would be fine, i would just be grateful for anything at this point! 
February 5, 2014 2:51pm
jamey yoo
welp just realized i missed the deadline #fail :/
February 5, 2014 2:51pm