By Julie Buehler
You’ve likely seen the updates of the BNP Paribas but maybe you’re not a huge sports fan. Maybe you’d rather sacrifice brain cells by watching Honey Boo Boo than hear your buddy rattle off the stats he’s researching for his fantasy baseball league and I get it.
Maybe you think tennis is for stuffy folk named Bunnie and Walter with popped collars and Bentleys.
Maybe you think attending the BNP Paribas would be rigorously boring, an effort in futility for you, who may not be acquainted with the history or rules of the game of professional tennis and maybe you’re someone who prefers to keep the Bunnies and the Walters of the world at bay.
But I’m here to tell you why you CAN’T miss the BNP Paribas and why you’ll be glad you attended when you do.
The Top 5 Reasons to Attend The BNP Paribas Open This Weekend
#5 The tennis. Look, you may not be a sports fan, but give it a shot. The rivalries and dripping drama when Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal take the court would make the Housewives of any city blush and their different styles makes this one of the most compelling rivalries in all of sports. But regardless of the match you’re watching, you are sure to witness some breathtaking athleticism and perhaps even inspire you to pick up a racket. I did that some years ago after watching Andre Agassi. Some years later after that, I was playing in the state championship. Dreams come true boys and girls.
#4 The legs of the athletes. Always tan, always spellbindingly muscular and the spinning, winding and unfurling of that muscle is fascinating and/or if it’s more your style, very, very attractive.
#3 The food. The overall renovation that added Stadium 2 also added 3 full service restaurants, pop-up tents and 19,000 square feet of shade structures, thereby ensuring you’ll be well fed and can find reprieve from any sun that might be a little tough to handle. In the evening sessions, the BNP Paribas is THE best place in town to grab a bite, enjoy some million-dollar sunsets, all the tennis action on giant screens to hang out on the grass with friends. Think Coachella or Stagecoach atmosphere with great food and people who smell good.
#2 It’s the local hangout for this weekend. Sure there’s always a lot going on in the desert (cue sarcasm) but THIS weekend is the weekend there IS a lot going on in the desert and there’s no better place to see friends, make new ones and enjoy our gorgeous weather than at the BNP Paribas this weekend for the final days of action.
#1 THE BEST LOOKING CROWDS OF ANY SPORTING EVENT ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET. There’s no debate here. I’ve been to Super Bowls, college games all around the nation, the Cross Fit Games, NBA Finals, All Star games, college basketball, you name it, I’ve attended those sporting events, no where else are there so many well-dressed, kindly-mannered, good-timing spectators than at the BNP Paribas Open.
So join in the fun. Grab a buddy, swing by and have a great time. The parking is easier this year than ever before, the new expansions are well built and convenient and for those who thoroughly love the sport and competition, it’s some of the best displays in the world.
Julie Buehler hosts the Coachella Valley’s most popular sports talk radio show, “Buehler’s Day Off” every day from 3-6 on 1010 KXPS, the valley’s all sports station. She’s an avid gym rat, slightly sarcastic and more likely to recite Steve Young’s career passing stats than American Idol winners. Tune in M-F 3-6 pst at www.team1010.com or watch the show on Ustream.
