Around the Grounds at the W&S Open

It's thrilling to see the world's best tennis players competing on the courts at the Western & Southern Open, but many of the most memorable moments from my annual tennis pilgrimage to Cincinnati happen off the courts.

Here are a few candid photos from around the grounds this week.


In an intimate venue like the Linder Family Tennis Center, you run into players everywhere.

Philipp Petzschner of Germany hanging out.

Milos Raonic getting some exercise.

Finland's Jarkko Nieminen playing frisbee.

Austrian Jurgen Melzer waiting for a court.

Spain's Marcel Granollers heading for a seat at a match.

Julien Bennetau, kindly stopped for a photo.

Players frequently sign autographs for fans after matches or practices.

Spanish player Feliciano Lopez.

Novak Djokovic, world #2.

Young Bernard Tomic of Australia.

Top Canadian doubles player, Daniel Nestor.

You can also stop by and watch live TV broadcasts from the ESPN / Tennis Channel outdoor studio.

Ian Eagle and Justin Gimelstob on-air.

Gimelstob's post-match interview with Djokovic.

I was also lucky enough to be invited up to the center court commentary booth to visit my favorite TV broadcasters Nick Lester and Robbie Koenig, with whom I've become Twitter friends.

Robbie and Nick calling the Federer semi-final
from high above center court.

Me and my Twitter buddies, Nick and Robbie.

And after a long day of wandering the grounds and court-hopping under the pounding summer sun, sometimes you just need a break.

You can buy a cold adult beverage at the Corona Beer Garden.

Kick back with a beer in front of the giant screen TV.

Relax and spend quality time....

...with your awesome friends.

Or just enjoy the breathtaking sunset.