With FILA and tennisnet in Indian Wells: Our winner reports!
Silke Köhler was the winner of the FILA and tennisnet competition in Indian Wells. Read her review of the days in "Tennis Paradise" here.
by Silke Koehler
last edit: Apr 02, 2023, 08:54 am
Like several times before, a trip to the USA was on the agenda for me again this year in March to attend the ATP Masters tournament in Indian Wells. This year the trip was enriched by a very special experience that FILA made possible for me and made it unforgettable.
For several years, the entire team around tournament director Tommy Haas, the former tennis pro and second in the world rankings, has been doing an excellent job in organizing this tournament. Year after year, the employees and countless volunteers work in front of and behind the scenes to ensure that every tennis fan's visit becomes an unforgettable experience. For example, you will find a contact person everywhere on the entire, extensive facility who is available for questions of any kind. As a fan and visitor, you always feel welcome and well looked after. The entire organization of a tournament of this magnitude represents a huge challenge for everyone involved and is mastered every year in Indian Wells by Tommy Haas and his entire team in a fantastic and exemplary manner.
Starting with the coordination and parking lot organization when thousands of cars arrive, through the uncomplicated and fast admission control at several gates, the (if at all necessary) assistance with admission to the various tennis courts to the extremely friendly staff in the restaurants at the countless places to eat and drink and in the various shops on the site. You just always feel comfortable and in good hands everywhere.
#IMG2#
Indian Wells - the tennis paradise!
The absolute highlight for me, since my first visit a few years ago, has always been this unique and beautiful facility in the middle of the fascinating landscape in the Californian desert. The extensive area with the second largest tennis stadium in the world and 28 other tennis courts are located countless palms, trees, bushes and flowers that give the Indian Wells Tennis Garden its unique charm. And with the onset of darkness, the lighting of the entire facility creates a very special atmosphere. And the view of the surrounding landscape with the mostly still snow-covered mountain peaks makes its additional contribution to giving the "tennis paradise" its name. This place was given this name a long time ago and more than deserves it.
#IMG3#
Since my first visit a few years ago, these have been the reasons why I have always wanted to return. Shortly before the start of the pandemic in 2020, I was also very lucky to be selected as the winner of a special prize in a competition by FILA and tennisnet. We were looking for a blogger to report a bit about the tournament on the social media platform Instagram. As a far-flung and ardent tennis fan and with my already existing Instagram account Batzis_sportsworld , on which I report about my sports trips mainly in relation to tennis, I was of course also wonderfully suited for this. Unfortunately, the pandemic thwarted the entire planning and implementation, but the profit could now be implemented after a three-year delay.
FILA covered the flight costs, three hotel nights during my entire trip and, as an absolute highlight, invited me to their own suite in Stadium 1 for 2 days so that I could watch the matches from there. An incomparable and priceless experience for every tennis fan. The location of the suite and the associated view of the tennis court are top notch and are additionally enhanced by the catering offered.
#IMG4#
Meet and greet with Tommy Haas
The icing on the cake was the meet & greet with Tommy Haas himself. Although as tournament director he has a lot of work to do every day and a busy schedule, he took the extra time to visit the suite. So I had the wonderful opportunity to talk to him personally about many things. We talked about the tournament, the organization and his part in it, but also about many other things like his former time as a professional player and future plans. But whatever the topic, Tommy is a wonderful conversationalist. Even if I would have had much more material for a conversation with him, of course the time was limited and he then had to devote himself to his tasks again.
I cannot thank FILA enough for this experience and will always remember it! See you again and see you next time in tennis paradise!