Your fun, accessible, insider-backed guide to one of the best summer tennis tournaments in the U.S.

As a New Yorker, I have the privilege of having the US Open in my backyard—a whole Grand Slam. Maybe that’s why I tend to gravitate toward smaller tournaments these days. There’s something different about them, a kind of intimacy that reminds me of a small college town.

I first attended the Mubadala Citi DC Open on a whim in 2023, driving down for the finals to watch Coco Gauff and Dan Evans kick off their US Open summer swing in style. Even though I was only there on the last day, I was immediately taken with it—and a little taken aback by the heat. I came back again in 2024, this time for the start of the tournament, and got the full experience over 48 hours.

Surface: Outdoor hard Tour Level: ATP 500 / WTA 500 When: July 19–20, 2025 (Qualifying) | July 21–27, 2025 (Main Draw)
Where: Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, 5220 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

🌿 THE VIBE

“A tennis tournament in the middle of a food and wine festival" is how Chairman Mark Ein describes it—but don’t be fooled, this isn’t some snooty affair. The Citi Open has a real DC neighborhood feel, tucked into Rock Creek Park, easily accessible by foot, bike, metro, or car.

Started in 1969 with Arthur Ashe's insistence that it be held in a public park, this tournament was built on accessibility and community. And over 50 years later, it still holds onto that purpose. You feel it the moment you walk through the gates.

🚍 GETTING THERE

The tournament is one of the most accessible out there. Closest only to the US Open in terms of the various ways you can get there.

By Metro: Red Line to Van Ness. Shuttle from there. For up-to-date shuttle information, [look here].
Driving: Arrive early. Parking is limited. And the traffic to get into the parking by the grounds can get very backed up.
Biking or Walking: Most scenic route. You’ll feel like a local.

🎟️ TICKETS

The Citi Open is a 500-level event—but it doesn’t have to break the bank.

Here’s what you need to know about tickets:

Grounds Passes: There are no Ground Passes for this tournament as of publication of this guide. ☹️ If that changes we will update
Stadium Court Reserved Seats: This is the option you have available for daily single sessions. It gives you a reserved seat in the stadium and access to all the other courts. Single session tickets start from around $32!
Multi-Day Passes: If you’re planning to attend more than once, look into multi-day or full-week packages. This can be cost effective if you are planning to attend all week.
Kids & Family Deals: They often have discounts for kids and family packs closer to the event. Worth checking the official site or SeatGeek. Kids under 2 get in for free.
When to Buy: Earlier is better, especially for opening weekend and mid-week night sessions. Stadium sells out quickly once the player list drops. And the list this year is blockbuster!

📌 Pro Tip: Its no secret we prefer an outside court to a Stadium Court so get the cheapest ticket on Stadium and spend your day courtside on an outside court. Some of the most electric matches happen on Court 2 or 3.

💪 WHY GO?

Intimacy: You can sit courtside at a 500-level event without selling your soul. We’re talking legit front-row views of Grand Slam champs on outer courts.
Summer Vibes: Great food, shady hangout spots, cool merch, and an air-conditioned food hall with screens showing the matches.
Stacked Field: This tournament serves as a start to the US Open summer swing for a lot of players transitioning from grass to hard courts, and it attracts a strong field. 2025’s list included Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu, Daniil Medvedev, Jessica Pegula, Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys, Paula Badosa, and more.
Storyline Magic: This is where it starts. Coco Gauff's US Open-winning summer kicked off here. Same with Medvedev's breakthrough run in 2019.

⏰ WHEN TO GO

Opening Weekend: We always say go early—hidden gem energy. Big names often play early rounds on outer courts. Don’t sleep on qualifying either. One of last year’s best storylines? Matteo Bellucci grinding through qualies right after a tight turnaround from Atlanta.
Early Weekdays: Monday - Wednesday is where it's at—Great access to practices and matches, and fewer crowds.
Night Sessions: Take off work early and head over for a night session. Cooler temps, electric vibe. Very DC.

👀 MUST-SEE COURTS

Stadium Court: Big-name central, but not always the best vibe.
Court 2: First-come, first-served GA seating. You might catch a top seed in arm’s reach.
Court 3: A personal favorite— bleacher seating, on top of the action. Perfect for doubles, early-round firestarters, and wild upsets.
Practice Courts: Bring a camera. You could be five feet from Tiafoe, Osaka, or whoever’s prepping. Practice Courts are surrounded by a chain linked fence so taking pictures through that can be tricky and it is standing room only. During the first weekend, during qualifying, the main courts are also used as practice courts, later in the day, and you can sit and watch the players practice. Another reason to come Opening Weekend.

🍽️ EAT THIS

Forget stadium pretzels. This might be one of the only tournaments where we say don’t bring a snack. This tournament has some of the best food I have had at a tennis tournament. Your biggest problem might be picking one spot. They have Michelin-starred chefs, José Andrés tapas, DC's best burger, pizza, lobster rolls, and even shaved ice. There’s also:

Taco & Tequila bar
Wine bar overlooking the courts
A/C food hall with massive screens and shaded tables
And yes—really good coffee

The Air-Conditioned Food Court on the grounds

🎟️ GROUND’S TIPS

Best Entry Points: If you can, walk or bike in. Metro riders get a free shuttle from the nearest stop. On-site parking fills up quickly and the traffic to enter the park can be very long. Off-site parking is usually announced closer to the event and includes a shuttle service—it’s cheaper and the method I used.
Clear Bag? Required. For 2025 you need to have a clear bag, get one for cheap before you get there. If you forget one, lockers will be available.
Where to sit: There is no way around this one—Summer in DC is HOT🔥 There is only one covered section on the Stadium court (Northside). Take breaks especially on hot days in the air-conditioned food tent. Bring a cushion seat (if you have one) or just a jacket, sweater or towel to lay on the seats on the outside courts that can get very hot. And don’t forget a hat and sunscreen!
Free Water Refill Stations: HYDRATE. HYDRATE. HYDRATE! Bring a reusable bottle and ask the very kind vendors for some ice—it gets hot.

Double Down on Doubles: Top players use this tournament to warm up their doubles game for the US swing. Henry Patten & Harri Heliovarra used it as a warm up after winning Wimbledon last year. Don’t skip it.
Don’t Just Go One Day: You’ll want to eat everything, see everything, and that’s just not possible in one visit. Try a weekday and a weekend—or a night session after work.
Look Beyond the Big Names: Keep an eye on rising stars. Medvedev and Gauff all made early career moves here. Be the one who saw them first.