The BB&T Atlanta Open tennis tournament, which kicks off the U.S. Open Series, runs July 25-Aug. 2 at Atlantic Station, featuring multiple days of professional play at a venue surrounded by shopping and dining options atop a massive parking complex.
For these reasons, the Open can be especially inviting for fans — but daunting for anyone trying to sift through the options (when to go, who is playing, how much it costs).
Here's a survival guide.
The rundown:
The Open kicks off with two days of qualifying, on July 25 and 26, followed by the early rounds from July 27 to 30, the quarterfinals on July 31, semifinals on Aug. 1 and the finals on Aug. 2
There will also be an exhibition match featuring past two-time champion Andy Roddick. John Isner, a former standout at the University of Georgia, is the two-time defending champion.
How to get in:
Tickets for single sessions range from $15-25, depending on seating. You can buy in advanceo online or by calling 305-460-6575.
One note: children get in free during kids weekend, if an accompanying adult has purchased a ticket.
Weeklong packages and weekend packages are also for sale, as well as VIP packages.
When to go:
On its website, the Open advises that "every fan finds a different day to his or her liking. As the week progresses, the excitement builds as the field narrows and the players fight to win the coveted titles." But there are several events throughout, catered to different audiences.
Roddick's match begins at 8 p.m. July 27 against Frances Tiafoe.
Other special events include a kids weekend July 25-26, college night on July 28, a post-match concert featuring LoCash on July 29, ladies' day on July 30, United States Tennis Association member appreciation day on July 31, and fan/volunteer appreciation day on Aug. 1.
The Commodores will open the events with a concert at 9 p.m. on July 25. Tickets start at $65.
Click here for a complete daily schedule.
How to get there:
Atlantic Station is located at 1380 Atlantic Dr. NW, in Midtown. It sits atop more than 7,000 parking spaces, and also includes metered street parking.
It's also MARTA-accessible, via an approximately 10-minute walk from the Arts Center Station off the Red or Gold lines, an accessible by the Free Ride Shuttle.
The shuttle operates daily from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. from the Arts Center Marta station via 17th Street — with service to IKEA and other areas.
What to do:
Obviously watch tennis.
But beyond that, Atlantic Station and adjoining westside offer a range of shopping, food and drink options. If you aren't looking to get back in your car, consider checking out Diner, The Pig & the Pearl or Yard House; or peruse more than a dozen retail options, including H&M, Banana Republic and more.
A little further out are the dining and drink deals around the westside, including Taco Happy Hour each Monday at Bellwoods Social House, $2 Tuesdays at Bone Lick BBQ and Wing Wednesdays at YEAH! Burger (which also sells $5 mimosas and bloody marys each Sunday).
