For the past 3 years, the Westwood Country Club has been host to the ATX Open, a 250 level WTA…read moreprofessional women's tennis tournament here in Austin, Texas. I decided to make a visit for 2025 to see what it's all about. Let me run down some details... For a 250 level WTA tennis tournament, the player field was full of well known contenders. This year they had Jessica Pegula (consistent Top 10 player), Petra Kvitova (2x Wimbledon champion), Ajla Tomljanovic (famously defeated Serena Williams), Peyton Sterns (hometown hero from the University of Texas) and other top 100 players competing. I attended for 4 days including 2 days of qualifying rounds and the first 2 days of the main draw. Unfortunately the first Saturday of qualifying was rained out so they packed a full day of doubleheaders onto Sunday with matches lasting well into the evening. Then I was surprised by how light the schedule was for Monday, but then returning Tuesday had all the big names and players back on the courts for my final day. The Westwood Country Club uses 3 courts for competition. The Stadium, Grandstand and Court 11. Then there were Practice Courts 1, 3, 4, 5 and 12. The Stadium is beautiful. It's built beside a rustic brick player clubhouse. It exudes old fashioned charm. Capacity is 1700 with spectators having their own seat backs. There were no bleacher style benches. Players enter the Stadium coming from the Food Court area in the back. When matches are completed, players return towards the Food Court and it's a good opportunity for pictures and autographs. The Grandstand is situated next to the Stadium and offers 6 - 7 rows to accommodate fans. You can stand and watch the action near the Cadillac Club venue where there's plenty of shade blocking the sun from trees stretching over the court. Btw...the Cadillac Club is a drink/food venue to socialize while watching the Grandstand action up close. Court 11 was confusing. It's located opposite the Grandstand. To reach Court 11, you walk up a hill and underneath the stadium stands to get there. But, there are no seats for watching at Court 11. You must stay on your feet, but the closeups of the tennis were unmatched. And...Court 12 is connected to Court 11. Practice Courts 1, 3, 4, 5 aren't too accessible to the fans (imo). They're pretty covered up with windscreens and I found it difficult to judge who was practicing on them. There were a few electronic monitors scattered around the grounds mentioning which players would be practicing on which courts and at what times. That was helpful but the problem again was that it was hard to watch players practicing due to the sharply tinted windscreens. It was $10 entrance fee for each day of Saturday and Sunday Qualifying Rounds. It was $20 entrance fee for Monday and Tuesday of the Main Draw rounds. I purchased tickets on my phone at the tournament's website...atxopen.com. I then added the tickets to Apple Wallet. Unfortunately, they don't have an App yet for the ATX Open. I'm believe that will change in future editions. Parking for Qualifying was at the HHSC Winters Building - 701 W 51st St, Austin. Parking here was free of charge. It's then a 10 minute shuttle bus ride over to the Westwood Country Club. Starting on Monday for the Main Draw, spectators parked at Camp Mabry (a military base) for $10 each day. Camp Mabry is located at 2200 W 35th St, Austin. It's then a 5 minute shuttle bus ride from Camp Mabry. You can also buy tickets for parking at atxopen.com. Some last extras.....during different intervals throughout the day, there were player Q&A's and autograph sessions for the fan experience. The Food Court area was composed of 4 - 5 Food Trucks. Behind the Grandstand was the Gift Shop. Prices for merchandise were typically high as they are now for all tennis tournaments. I paid $40 for an ATX Open tennis t-shirt. Hats and souvenir towels were $40 as well. Overall, I enjoyed the ATX Open and it's a good warmup tourney before the start of the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami). The quiet surroundings around the grounds made it feel like an intimate setting for fans. I was able to get up close to some of my favorite players which was rewarding. In the end, I think the Westwood Country Club is a fine venue for hosting a WTA 250 level tennis tournament. Although this was just the 3rd edition of the tourney, I anticipate it'll remain here in Austin for years to come.

Came out here for the ATX Open. Lovely venue to watch tennis. Drink prices were pretty outrageous,…read morebut there were food trucks that were semi reasonable, although some of the snack foods were already running out fairly early. The bathroom situation isn't ideal for large crowds so be prepared to wait in line. But taking an Uber/Lyft in and out was fairly easy, and can be an inexpensive way to watch some professional tennis!