SBRTA members: Wes and Georgine Hurst, Janette and Mark Martin, and Arlene and Mark Wong; photo taken by Arlene Wong
Eighth seeded team wins against unseeded team in a three set men’s doubles match; photo taken by Arlene Wong
Sandy Schlager
A group of SBRTA tennis players recently traveled to the 2016 BNP Paribas Open, considered one of the five premier professional tennis tournaments in the world, which takes place annually in March. All the top professional men and women tennis players participate in this nearly two-week event held at the spectacular Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Considered one of our country’s ultimate tennis centers, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden has the second largest Stadium 1 court in the world, with over 16,000 seats and great viewing of center court. The Tennis Garden’s beautifully landscaped grounds covers 54 acres and includes a brand new, permanent Stadium 2 with 8,000 seats, fine dining restaurants and many other eating and world class shopping venues. There are two 19,000 square foot shade structures, 29 world-class courts and eight acres of outdoor exposition space.
The group enjoyed great weather, a spectacular tennis venue and world-class tennis including watching defending women’s doubles champs, WTA Team of the Year and the world’s No. 1 women’s doubles team of Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza lose to an unseeded team of Vania King and Alla Kudryavtseva in straight sets. The quality of tennis was exceptional, and watching doubles was action packed. Everyone said they had a great time and vowed to return next year.