Rally to Ariake: Experience the Thrill of Live Tennis Action This Month

Hello everyone! This is Chinami Kawamata. The recent Davis Cup match (against Colombia) was a huge success. I also went to watch the event on the second day. The venue sold out all tickets, including tickets on the day! The enthusiasm of the audience was incredible.

Now, we are entering a month of watching tennis in Japan, with the Kinoshita Group Japan Open, All Japan Tennis Championships, and Toray Pan Pacific Open. I’m sure there are many people out there who have already got their tickets ready and are planning to attend the event in person. This time, I would like to share with you how I enjoy watching games in person.

How to Enjoy Watching the Event Live

First of all, it goes without saying that the best thing to do is enjoy watching the game. The Kinoshita Japan Open and Toray Pan Pacific Open will bring players who are rarely seen in Japan. It’s a special experience to watch those players play live. You’re sure to be impressed by just the appearance of the athletes, saying things like “They feel much bigger than they do on TV!” or “When you see them from this angle, you can see how they move!” Not only that, isn’t enjoying the festival atmosphere also one of the joys of watching sports?

Food Truck

Many food trucks and booths will be set up at the convention venue. At popular restaurants, there can be long queues… but it’s also great fun waiting in line and chatting about the excitement of the game while eating. Of course, the vendors participating in each tournament will be different. When I take my time looking around in my free time, everything looks delicious and I always have trouble deciding where to eat… (laughs) When I went to watch the Japan Open last year, I chose the Yakisoba food stall.

I think eating yakisoba outside with soda is a special experience.

Booth

In addition to the food trucks, there are various other booths set up, including official shops and manufacturer booths.

When I went, I was able to buy apparel and merchandise, watch the tournament’s official stringers string rackets up close, and there was even an event where I could have the strings strung for me. It’s a rare opportunity to have your racket strung by the same person who strings the rackets of the professional players competing in the tournament. Various booths are set up for each tournament, so be sure to enjoy them as well as the games.

Commemorative Photo

There are photogenic spaces set up all over the venue! The usual giant rackets, player panels, tournament logos, and more… If you take a photo as a memento of your visit, you’ll be able to relive the fun you had when you look back on it.

Please take a photo if you happen to pass by.

So, everyone, continue to enjoy your tennis life!