2015 Memphis Open Tennis Tournament: Seven Insider Tips

2015 Memphis Open Tennis Tournament: Seven Insider Tips

The Memphis Open is back at the Racquet Club February 7th - 15th, and this year is full of upgrades and updates to go with a shiny new name. Take a look at these seven insider tips for making the most of your trip to the tournament. (Ticket contest is over.)

MOpSM logo

1. Go to the celebrity exhibition match on Monday, Feb. 9.

Before Opening Night matches, Tennis Hall of Famer Michael Chang and former No. 4 world ranking player James Blake will play a just-for-fun entertaining exhibition match. You can get a special ticket for dinner, open bar,  and meet 'n' greet with Chang and Blake. Bonus: cast members from the Lion King musical (which is now playing at the Orpheum) will perform.

2. Hit the M.O. Fan Village 

Inside the Racquet Club will be a "fan village" where you can eat, drink, shop for M.O. merch, and enjoy live music each night before the matches. There will also be a big screen in the Fan Village featuring social media interactions. You know everyone likes to see their Tweets on the big screen. (You can follow the Memphis Open on Twitter and Facebook.) 

Memphis Open Tennis Tournament Players

3. See some talent.

This year the Memphis Open's player field is full of some of the best tennis players in the world. We have No. 5 in the world Kei Nishikori from Japan back as the two-time defending champion, plus Kevin Anderson and John Isner, Nos. 15 and 18, respectively. Even if those names aren't familiar to you, you can count on some great tennis from some world-class talent. Go here to see a full list of the singles and doubles players scheduled to play at the Memphis Open.

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 Stadium Court 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 on Sanderlin, but the spots go quickly (and are $20). You could support the Boy Scouts by parking in one of the lots that they manage near the Paradiso and Clark Tower ($7-$10). Go here to read all the parking details.

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 activities in that area. 

Memphis Open 2015 Stadium Court Tennis Tournament
The new Stadium Court construction in-progress via Memphis Open on Facebook. Scroll to the bottom of this post to see a time-lapse video fo the court's transformation.  

6. Check out the new setup and features.

The Memphis Open (formerly known at the U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championship) is still at the Racquet Club in East Memphis, but the setup is going to see some improvements, including the new M.O. Fan Village (see #2 above), a reorientation of the court for more fan-friendly atmosphere, and new lighting for the Grandstand area. Portions of the proceeds of merch will go towards St. Jude, the official charity of the Memphis Open. Oh yes, and there's going to be more food this year. 

7. Skip paying for tickets by entering our contest.

*** The ticket giveaway is over! Congrats to our winners Paul, Sam, Aaron, and Colton ***

I'm giving away four pairs of tickets (all $25 value each). Here is what's available:
- 2 pairs for Feb. 9 at 11 a.m.
- 1 pair for Feb. 12 at 11 a.m.
- 1 pair for Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.

To enter, just comment on this post by 4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6 and tell me which session you want. In order to claim the tickets, you have to be able to pick them up in person at the Memphis CVB (47 Union Ave.) downtown between now and the date of the tournament or meet me in midtown sometime before the tournament.

For more information about the tournament and the players and advance tickets go hereGo here for the full schedule and go here for all the ticket info.

 

Comments Make Us Happy

50
Leave a Comment
The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Lee Johnson
I would like to have the two pairs of tickets for the 9th or the one pair for the 12th at 7pm
February 5, 2015 3:43pm
Aaron
Huge fan of the website and the tennis tournament! I'd love tix to the Thursday night session!
February 5, 2015 3:43pm
Rebecca
Would love to win the  pair for Feb. 12 at 7 p.m!
February 5, 2015 3:45pm
Maureen
February 12 7PM!! 
February 5, 2015 3:45pm
Brad Little
I'd love to snag a pair of tix for the Feb. 12th session at 7 p.m!
February 5, 2015 4:18pm
Katie
I would love to go on Feb. 12th at 7pm!
February 5, 2015 4:34pm
Travis Trumitch
I would love the February 9th 11 AM tickets. Thank you for the offer.
February 5, 2015 4:40pm
CarlyWill Sloan
I would love the Feb 9th ones!
February 5, 2015 4:54pm
Grant
Huge fan and would be the highlight of my year to see some great tennis and support Memphis! Would love the Feb 12 at 7pm tickets!!!
February 5, 2015 5:43pm
Daniel Bastard…
I would love to go to one of the Memphis Open matches, tennis is one of my favorite sports. Out of all the options, I can only go on February 17th at 7pm. Thanks! 
February 5, 2015 6:17pm
Rachel smith
Feb 12, 7pm 
February 5, 2015 7:28pm
Ann
I would love the tickets for Feb 12th at 11 am.
February 5, 2015 8:41pm
David Owens
I would love the Feb. 12 tickets! Since I live out of the town, it's the only time I could go
February 6, 2015 9:16am
Elizabeth
I would love to take my dad to a match. Any of those nights would be wonderful!! Choose901!! 
February 6, 2015 9:23am
Jenny P
12th at 7, please!
February 6, 2015 9:25am
Micah
Feb. 9, 11 a.m.!
February 6, 2015 9:26am
Josh Campbell
I would like the 12th 7pm. But would take any that you want to give me.
February 6, 2015 9:31am
Ang
I'd love to win a pair! I'd prefer the Feb 12th at 7pm, but I'll take & use any of them!
February 6, 2015 9:31am
Michele Walker
I'm free for any of those matches and would love to win tix! Huge tennis fan! 
February 6, 2015 9:32am
Tim Francis
I'd like to go Thursday 2/12 at 11am...thanks for the blog and the contest!
February 6, 2015 9:34am
David
Would like to have the February 12 tickets for 7 pm.  Have friends who are from Japan and would love to go to the tournament to see Kei Nishikori.  
February 6, 2015 9:34am
Tina
Thursday, Feb 12th 11am would be great for me and sister to attend. Thank you for the opportunity! 
February 6, 2015 9:37am
Britt
Please please, can i have a pair for monday cause tuesday I'll work seven straight days and my poor valentine might suffer.
February 6, 2015 9:50am
Alyssa
Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. please!  Would love the opportunity to go! My aunt and uncle come up for the tournament every year but I've never been able to join them.
February 6, 2015 9:59am
mimi blanton
Thanks so much for all you do in promoting this great town! I'd love to go to either day session.
February 6, 2015 10:07am
Sasagu
This would be my first ever tennis tournament.  I would love to go to the event with my son who is a young tennis player at Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.  Thanks for a great article recapping highlights and key informaiton.
February 6, 2015 10:34am
Corey Inboden
Feb 12, 7 pm
February 6, 2015 10:45am
Melissa
Feb 12th please :)
February 6, 2015 10:50am
jason
feb. 12 7pm is after work for me so its only time i could go! as a new resident i would love to go to this! 
February 6, 2015 10:51am
rena chiozza
Fun!!!
February 6, 2015 10:55am
Mustafa Motiwala
The 12th at 7pm por favor.
February 6, 2015 10:55am
Andrew Bell
Would value a pair for Friday at 7. I can take my 5-year old son, who I've ingratiated into playing tennis because there's evidence it helps with autism (he has a "smattering" of it). Please.
February 6, 2015 10:58am
Molly Polatty
I haven't been to the tournament in years and would love to go to either session on Thursday. Thanks!
February 6, 2015 11:01am
Erin Clouse
1 pair on 2/12 at 7 pm, please. 
February 6, 2015 11:03am
Jamie
Feb. 12 at 7pm please!
February 6, 2015 11:05am
Pamela Williams
Thanks for the opportunity! My husband and I would love to go Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.
February 6, 2015 11:11am
Christina
I would "love" a pair tickets for the match on 2-12 @ 7pm!
February 6, 2015 11:11am
Kristin Walker
Thanks for sharing! I'm itnerested in the Feb 12 7PM tickets. . .wishing myself luck!
February 6, 2015 11:23am
Lisa Chou
I would love to have a pair of tickets for the Feb 9 @ 11:00am. I play tennis so I enjoy watching! Thanks!    
February 6, 2015 11:25am
Andrew Bell
Would value a pair for Friday night at 7 so I could take my 5-year-old son who I've ingratiated into playing tennis because there's evidence it helps with autism (he has a "smattering" of it). Please.
February 6, 2015 11:28am
Jennifer
Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. would be a great treat! Never been.
February 6, 2015 11:34am
Paul Jewell
Comment: Feb. 12  @ 11 am.
February 6, 2015 11:44am
Sam
My son who is the ball boy in the tournament could not get me access to some tickets, so here I am begging you, would love to see MChang and JBlake's exhibition game. It would be fun to join this event. Monday is the only day I could go, because I will be out-of-town starting Tuesday thru Thursday!
February 6, 2015 11:46am
Rene Conley
Feb. 12 at 7pm!!!
February 6, 2015 11:50am
Caroline Berry
Would love tickets to the Feb 12 7PM session!
February 6, 2015 11:59am
Abigail V
February 12 at 7pm!!
February 6, 2015 12:05pm
D_veep
I'd like to go Feb 12th at 11!
February 6, 2015 12:06pm
Laura Matson
Working parents want to see some tennis.   1 pair for Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.
February 6, 2015 12:07pm
Nate
Feb 12th, 7pm!
February 6, 2015 12:07pm
pam
I can go either day or time! Feb 12 at 7pm would be best tho! And thanks for all you do, love the ILM blogs!
February 6, 2015 12:11pm