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Home | Editor's Top 10

High Stakes Tennis

As Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer capped Wimbledon with a match for the ages, we started thinking about some of the other great destinations you can catch world-class tennis. And believe us - there are plenty.

ProfessionalTravelGuide.com is leading you to some of the greatest cities to catch tennis' best compete, as well as offering some prime options to stay in these fantastic destinations, until the next time we see action on Centre Court at the All-England Club.

*All photos courtesy of ATP Web site, unless otherwise noted

HighStakesTennis_Toronto
Photo courtesy of RogersCup.com

Rogers Cup
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Late July
The oldest ongoing tennis tournament after Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, the Rogers Cup has been featuring top tennis talent since 1881. Past champions include legends such as John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi and Roger Federer. And the prize money nearly $2.5 million total is one of the richest on tour.

Where to Stay: InterContinental Toronto Centre, Le Germain Hotel Toronto, The Sutton Place Hotel Toronto, The Fairmont Royal York


HighStakesTennis_Cincinnati.jpg
Photo courtesy of CincyTennis.com

Western & Southern Financial Group Masters
Cincinnati, Ohio
Late July - Early August
The history of this Cincinnati staple dates back to the 19th century, when the tournament began. Cincinnati's tour stop is actually the oldest venue in the United States; the U.S. Open is technically older, but originally was played in Rhode Island. The city hosts both the men's and women's tours, but at different times; the ATP swings into Cincinnati in late July, while the WTA makes its stop in early August.

Where to Stay: The Cincinnatian Hotel, Millenium Hotel Cincinnati, Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Marriott at RiverCenter



HighStakesTennis_USOpen.jpg

U.S. Open
Flushing, New York
Late August - Early September
One of tennis' four major championships, the U.S. Open is contested at the end of the summer in the Big Apple. Held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center since the late 1970s, the event boasts a near-$20 million prize pool and one of the deepest fields in tennis.

Where to Stay: The London NYC, Le Parker Meridien New York, Omni Berkshire Place, Hotel Elysee


HighStakesTennis_Madrid.jpg

Mutua Madrilena Masters Madrid
Madrid, Spain
Mid-October
One of the newest events on tour, the Mutua Madrilena Masters Madrid has become a star-studded event. This is the last time the event will be played in the fall, as it moves to mid-May beginning in 2009 and will feature one of the largest non-major prize pools at more than $10 million.

Where to Stay: AC Santo Mauro Hotel, Hotel Urban, Gran Melia Fenix, Occidental Miguel Angel Hotel


HighStakesTennis_AustralianOpen.jpg

Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia
Mid-January
The first tennis major of the year is down under at Melbourne Park. With more than $19.5 million in prize money offered, it is one of the richest tennis tournaments in the world, only ranking behind its other Grand Slam partners.

Where to Stay: Crown Towers, Langham Hotel Melbourne, Vibe Savoy Melbourne, Rialto Hotel on Collins


HighStakesTennis_IndianWells.jpg

ATP Masters Series Pacific Life Open
Indian Wells, California
Mid-March
Quick: What is the largest non-Grand Slam event in attendance? That's right, it's the Pacific Life Open, played just down the road from that California playground, Palm Springs. And when tennis isn't being played at Indian Wells, the 16,000+ seat stadium hosts concerts ranging from Tom Petty to Bocelli.

Where to Stay: Hyatt Grand Champions Resort & Spa, Miramonte Resort & Spa, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells Resort Hotel


HighStakesTennis_MonteCarlo.jpg

ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Mid-April
Held at the Monte Carlo Country Club overlooking the Mediterranean, this is one of the lead-up events to tennis' second Grand Slam, the French Open. With about $4.5 million in prize money and in one of the most luxurious destinations in the world, it's no wonder tennis' best make their way to this Mediterranean playground.

Where to Stay: The Fairmont Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, Hotel Mirabeau, Hotel Metropole Monte Carlo


HighStakesTennis_BNLdItalia.jpg

ATP Masters Series Campionati BNL d'Italia
Rome, Italy
Early May
Another French Open precursor, this Masters Series event features 56 of the top players in the world preparing for a run at a Grand Slam title just weeks away. It also helps to be in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and competing for a piece of the $4.5 million prize pool.

Where to Stay: Hotel de Russie, Art by the Spanish Steps, Hotel Eden, Grand Palace


HighStakesTennis_Hamburg.jpg

ATP Masters Series Hamburg
Hamburg, Germany
Mid-May
Like the two before it, this is the last chance for tour players to prepare for the clay courts of Roland Garros before the French. And like the previous tournaments, Hamburg brings in the stars, such as last year's finale between the top two-ranked tennis players in the world, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. And the host site, the Rothenbaum Tennis Center, just celebrated its 100-year anniversary.

Where to Stay: Hotel Atlantic Kempinski Hamburg, Le Royal Meridien Hamburg, Sofitel Hamburg Alten Wall, Elysee Hotel Hamburg


HighStakesTennis_FrenchOpen.jpg

French Open
Paris, France
Late May - Early June
We've come full-circle in the tennis world, ending up at the final major on our list (the second of the year). The French Open, played at the famous Roland Garros clay courts, is the richest tennis tournament in the world with a prize pool of nearly $31 million with equal shares going to men and women.

Where to Stay: Sofitel Le Faubourg, De Vendome Hotel, Hotel Lotti Paris, Hotel Brighton


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Wimbledon
London, England
Late June - Early July
Hosted by the historic All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, The Wimbledon Championships is considered the premier tournament. With more than $23 million in prize money available during the men's and women's tournaments, this is one of the richest tournaments in the sport.

Where to Stay: Goring Hotel, The Lanesborough, The Grosvenor, Crowne Plaza London St James