.jpg)
.gif)
.gif)
.jpg)
|
|
By Ryan Wolfington When you walk into the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells tennis center you see the vision of two men and their team realized over 30 years of excellence. Charlie Passarell and Raymond Moore have created what Andre Agassi calls "THE GRAND SLAM OF THE WEST." Apart from having hundreds of the top players in the world, the atmosphere is full of possibility, hope and excitement which inspire people to get involved and come back year after year. That explains why their volunteer army exceeds 750 people, why tennis legends like Jack Kramer, Bud Collins, Vic Braden and many others converge here each year to share their life experiences. As a result we get to go and enjoy one of the most personal and intimate environments professional sports has to offer. "In the past couple weeks I covered Nascar, boxing, and basketball, and this tournament is the most inclusive for the fans that I have ever experienced in sports writing," said a local newspaper reporter. When you have the press, the fans and the players singing your praises something is happening here. |
|
|
What is it about The BNP Paribas Open that makes people go home with warm feelings and happy memories unlike anything else? "The Grass, that is my favorite. The grass always leaves an impression on me," said Las Vegas tennis player Jeff Vongman, when asked what he likes the most about the venue. Getting autographs, seeing the players up-close and watching at the practice courts are some of the bonuses fans bragged about. Rarely in all my interviews did I hear "The match on center court". It is always about the personal, intimate feeling that Charlie Passarell's team has successfully created. It's a tennis event with all the conveniences of modern day luxuries merged together with the peacefulness and nostalgia of tennis culture from the past. By pure ingenuity he has incorporated the best of yesterday and melted it with today. Las Vegans have been going to The BNP Paribas Open since it's inception. One such family, Dr. Jeff and Lisa Parker, have had box seats for over 16 years. |
|
Dr. Jeff and Lisa Parker Family |
|
|
"This is our time each year to get together as a family," explained Mrs. Parker, who has 420children all who played high level tennis. "This tournament has an intimate feel, they get autographs and have gotten close to the players over the years. The people's tournament, a relaxing yet personal and beautiful atmosphere is the feeling everyone gets when coming to the BNP Paribas Open. You are welcome to sit on the grass, watch tennis up close and meet the players. Everyone is friendly and ou t to enjoy a sport they all love. Congratulations to Charlie Passarell and his amazing staff for creating a tournament many call their own. By being the best you can be, you have made a significant contribution to the game of tennis and to those who love it. Nothing compares to the rows of brightly colored flowers, freshly cut green grass, sunny days and breathtaking mountain vistas. |
.png)
.png)
.jpg){kind=logo}
