Saved the best for last. You probably don’t know this about me, but I love plants. I pretty much live in a greenhouse. So when I first stepped onto the grounds of the new Cincinnati Open I knew I had to talk to whoever was responsible for the landscaping.The person responsible for creating this tennis secret garden is Christopher LaMond. He has been with the tournament for 15 years, and I got to sit with him to talk about how the design came together for the new landscaping for the tournament using the theme “Tennis Garden.”One of my favorite takeaways from the chat is how this is a living, breathing organism. This year lays the foundation for the next and will only be better as the years go on.Today was my last day on the grounds, and I took it slow and easy as I do most last days at a tournament.Player Interviews* Ella Seidel – who had such a great run this tournament and got herself into the Top 100.* Carlos Alcaraz – who continues to find his form and talked about what it’s like waiting to play his match.* Evan King and Chris Harrison – the No. 1 doubles team in the U.S. They have come a long way from not being able to enter even qualifying of tournaments with their ranking to now being in the Top 20 of the world.Last year I attended my first Challenger in Champaign, Illinois, and first interviewed Evan King there. It was a small venue with a little crowd, and at the end of this interview he said to me: “We’ve come a long way since Champaign.”We have come a long way. Ground Pass has grown so much since then, and I am grateful to all of you that make that possible. Below is the video we made at that Challenger.What’s NextNext stop for us — New York, baby. US Open. So much more to come. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundpass.substack.com/subscribe
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Ground Pass On Site: Cincinnati Open – Day 6
Let’s start the Day 6 recap with an apology. I have failed you.I had grand ideas of doing a full-on mukbang while covering the food at the Cincinnati Open. But it’s been a long summer of traveling to tennis tournaments, and between trying to save on costs and also eat a little healthier to keep my energy up on site, it just didn’t happen.That said, when it comes to food, the Cincinnati Open definitely gives you a taste of the local cuisine. If you want to try the delicacy that is Skyline chili, you can dive right in. And there are plenty of other options too, so you can always find something that works for you.There are also water refill spots all around the grounds. I’d encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle to save on buying water, but if you want to grab something from the merch shop, a water bottle is the way to go. It even comes with ice that you can use while you’re here. I bought a white one last year, and this year they had a blue version—it took all my willpower not to get another.Which brings me to the Merch Store, always a popular stop on site. Lines form early, and it feels like everyone has some piece of merch. If you’re going to buy one thing, I’d recommend the water bottle.Player InterviewsThe post-match interviews of the day were:* Terence Atmane – After his win against João Fonseca. This is now part of a Meet the Player episode. Watch it below.* Jessica Bouzas Maniero – After her win against Taylor Townsend. She’s had a really strong year and continues to solidify her position as Spain’s No. 2 woman.* Holger Rune – Came through press. And discussed how he handled he heat on a particularly hot day.* Emma Raducanu & Aryna Sabalenka – Their match was the Match of the Day. Both came through press afterward, and I’ll be making a Match Story about this one.EmmaAryna* Taylor Fritz – Answered the important question: what’s the right technique for breaking a racket?🎧 All interviews are linked. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundpass.substack.com/subscribe
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Ground Pass On Site: Cincinnati Open – Day 5
Today’s focus: Fan Zones.If you’re heading to the Cincinnati Open, you won’t have to worry about finding a spot to rest in the shade, meet up with friends, or grab a bite to eat—there are fan zones everywhere.The largest space is The Common, located right next to the main food stalls. It’s packed with umbrellas for sun protection, and there’s a stage where live music plays throughout the day. Matches are also broadcast here, so you can catch the action while relaxing.Beyond The Common, smaller vignettes are scattered around the grounds—benches, couches, beach chairs, and even grassy patches where you can stretch out between matches.Near the northside entrance, across from Stadium 3, there’s a smaller fan zone featuring sponsor booths and a kids’ area with games and space to run around.All in all, there’s something for every type of fan, whether you’re looking to recharge, be entertained, or just enjoy the atmosphere.Player InterviewsPost-match press highlights from Day 5:* Jasmine Paolini – Working to regain confidence in the second half of the season.* Coco Gauff – Admitted to a Love Island obsession.* Andrey Rublev – Shared how keeping his emotions in check helped him beat Learner Tien, who recently got the better of him in DC.* Jessica Pegula – Talked about the upcoming stretch where she has big points to defend, plus the player council’s take on the two-week Masters.* Carlos Alcaraz – Explained why he went straight to practice after his win over Damir Dzumhur.I’m also working on a longer Meet the Players piece on Ella Seidel and Iva Jovic, which will be coming later this summer.🎧 All available press audio is included. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundpass.substack.com/subscribe
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Ground Pass On Site: Cincinnati Open – Day 4
Today’s focus: Outer Courts.There are seven main outer courts at the Cincinnati Open. Court 4 and Court 10 are the largest—Court 10 being the famous sunken court. Courts 5 through 9, lined up in a row on the north side of the site, are all identical in size with short rows of stadium-style seating.Before Champions Court existed, Court 10 was my favorite. The sunken court design creates an intimate feel while giving off the vibe of watching gladiators in battle. Courts 5–9, while more modest, are equally special—they’re small and close enough that you can really appreciate the variety of strokes, spins, and playing styles at this level.And at a Masters 1000 event with a 96-player draw, the early rounds are packed with talent on these courts. In Round 2 alone, the outer courts hosted Felix Auger-Aliassime, Lorenzo Musetti, and Marta Kostyuk.The size an intimacy of these outer courts also means its the best chance of a signature or selfie from your favourite playerYou know our Ground Pass motto: come early and head to an outside court.Player InterviewsThe standout press conference today was from Iga Świątek—what started as match talk quickly turned into a lively discussion about Wicked the musical, her thoughts on it, and the popular shows she still hasn’t seen.Other highlights:* Holger Rune – Discussed working with new physio Marco Panichi and his relationship with Andre Agassi.* Jannik Sinner – Confirmed his arm sleeve is not a fashion statement.* Stefanos Tsitsipas – Shared what he likes to do between matches.* Madison Keys – Talked about the improvements to the new site.* Emma Raducanu – Spoke about her new coaching partnership and how it’s helping her develop her game.* Ben Shelton – Pre Tornament🎧 All available press audio is included. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundpass.substack.com/subscribe
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Ground Pass On Site: Cincinnati Open – Day 3
Today’s focus: Show Courts.The Cincinnati Open has four show courts this year—three returning favorites and one brand new addition:* Center Court* Grandstand* Stadium 3* Champions Court (Court 21) – new for 2025With the expanded player field, these courts allow the tournament to spread out the star power, giving fans multiple ways to see big names in action. Center Court and Grandstand (with some general admission sections) require reserved tickets for each session, but Stadium 3 and Champions Court are general admission—meaning you can watch top players without a premium seat.Case in point: Emma Raducanu played on Champions Court today to a completely packed crowd. This court is quickly becoming my favorite—it’s the smallest and most intimate of the four, and the surrounding landscaping makes it the most beautiful spot on the grounds.My least favorite? Stadium 3. It’s functional but austere, and the lack of baseline seating feels like a missed opportunity for a large show court.One quirk I love: Center Court and Grandstand intersect via a shared walkway. There’s surprisingly little noise crossover between matches, and it makes moving between the two quick and easy for fans.Player InterviewsThe weather was the star of post-match press today—hot, humid, and oppressive. Standing still for photos was brutal; playing tennis in those conditions? Unreal. But as several players noted, this is what they train for in the offseason—whether it’s for the North American summer or the Australian Open.Highlights:* Lulu Sun – An absolute revelation today. I hope these interviews help you get to know players like her—talents who don’t always get much media attention but have incredible backstories.* Caroline Garcia – While the audio didn’t come out clean, she shared great reflections on her upcoming retirement at the US Open and her excitement for life after tennis, including her podcast.* Ajla Tomljanović – Spoke about the rise of younger players and what it means for her career.* Maria Sakkari – Shared her perspective on the new two-week Masters format.* Ethan Quinn – Discussed playing through illness to notch a big win against a tough opponent.* Taylor Townsend – Took us to school…Looking AheadDay 4 means the start of Round 2—and with it, the arrival of the top seeds. It’s going to be even busier. Tomorrow’s focus: the Outer Courts.🎧 All available press audio is included. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit groundpass.substack.com/subscribe
What does a tennis tournament sound like?
Footsteps on gravel paths. Umpires calling the score. Racquet bags thudding down courtside. Crowd roars echoing from the far court.
These short audio dispatches are recorded live—often mid-match, mid-walk, or in between bites of concession stand pizza. They’re not polished. They’re textured, spontaneous, and full of the energy that makes being on site unforgettable.
Subscribe to follow the tour with us, one tournament at a time.
And if you’re planning to attend one yourself, you might just pick up a few tips along the way. groundpass.substack.com
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