Which tennis tournament is the most prestigious
Tennis is one of the most loved sports around the world. It is exciting to watch and play, especially when it comes to tournaments, making them some of the hottest tickets to obtain through sports. At the very top level, thousands of spectators come to see the greatest players compete. Here is a list of the seven greatest tournaments you should visit at least once in your life.
Wimbledon
There are no more prestigious sports trophies in the world of tennis than Wimbledon, which is why wagerers who love to bet on sports are always excited when it comes around. Of all of the four grand slam competitions, Wimbledon attracts the most attention and is still a firm favorite with players and fans alike. The tournament has a long and lustrous history dating back to the late 1870s. At this time, the matches were played on the All England Club grand lawns just outside London. Besides the high caliber of tennis that is seen at Wimbledon, the event is synonymous with appearances from Royals, celebrities, Pimms, and fresh strawberries & cream. Another thing Wimbledon is famous for is the all-white dress code.
US Open
The US Open is a continued celebration of perhaps the oldest tennis championship in the world: the US National Championship, which was first played four years after Wimbledon in 1881. The tournament started as a national men’s singles and doubles competition, and as with the majority of major tennis championships, the US Open has built up to be the media circus/tourist attraction we see today. This sporting event is like a cross between a tennis competition and a festival. Live music starts the proceedings, and there are food trucks, bars, and shops for all spectators to enjoy.
Australian Open
Known as the Happy Slam, the Australian Open is one of the favorites among the best professional tennis players in the world. The popularity is not only due to the beautiful beaches of Melbourne; the tournament has seen some of the greatest contests ever. Matches featuring Novak Djokovic, who has won a record seven Australian Opens. The current home of the Australian Open is in Melbourne Park precinct, but this has not always been the spot. Over its over 100-year history, the Australian Open has been seen all over the country in cities such as Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, and New Zealand.
French Open
The French Open seems to be one of the hardest tournaments in tennis, striking fear in many top-ranked players. Famously, the Roland Garros is the only Grand Slam tournament played on a clay surface, making for some fierce matchups. Roger Federer has failed to gain more than one career slam, mainly due to his lack of triumph at the French Open. Many legendary players, including the greats, have failed to win the career slam because of their failure to win at the French Open. Rafael Nadal, who has won the French Open 13 times, will defend his title at this year’s competition.
Summer Olympic Games Tennis Tournament
The Summer Games is a unique tennis tournament on the circuit as spectators enjoy more than just tennis matches. In 1924, tennis was removed from the Summer Games but later returned in 1988 when the Olympic program saw that the sport had increased in popularity and importance between fans & players. This 9-day tournament gives players a sense of national pride, and when visitors are not watching tennis, they have the opportunity to see the world’s best in 33 other sports.
The Davis Cup
Originally, the Davis Cup started out as a men’s competition between the US and Great Britain. Over time it has become one of the world’s largest tennis competitions, competed either through invitation on an annual basis. This tournament is, in effect, the World Cup of tennis. Great Britain has lifted the trophy ten times since its inception in 1900, most recently thanks to Andy Murray in 2015, who broke the 79-year wait. Contrasting to the usually quiet and calm proceedings that are featured in most tennis tournaments, the Davis Cup is home to cheering fans waving flags and showing their support for the home team. The atmosphere is intense and intimidating for all players making it a unique event to attend.
Miami Open
As you may have noticed through these tennis tournaments, tennis has one of the longest histories in modern sports. Within the sport, it isn’t common for modern competitions to become serious contenders, but the Miami Open is one of the exceptions. Only being played since 1985, this tournament is the place to be when it comes to springtime. Attendance is a massive 300,000 people, all cramming themselves into the Hard Rock Stadium in Crandon Park, something basically unheard of for a non-major tournament. When you’re surrounded by beautiful beaches, delicious food, and stunning golf courses, there’s plenty to do if you get tired of watching rallies during the Miami Open.
No offense to Miami, but having been to Indian Wells and Miami, I’m shocked you would call Miami more prestigious.
The amazing transformation of the last 10 years at the Indian Wells tennis garden has been nothing short of incredible. So many top-notch restaurants, merchandise, music, and a true celebration of tennis that Miami really cannot compete with being located inside a huge football stadium.
Time for you to revisit Indian Wells.