DC Citi Open ‘26
Event: Mubadala Open
Where: William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center at Rock Creek Park
It didn’t make no sense being in such close proximity to the Mubadala Open aka DC Citi Open and not go. Year after year after year, I tell myself to attend and…it doesn’t happen. Usually, I blame the extreme hot weather. And while DC Citi Open isn’t on the level of, say, the US Open or Wimbledon, it still brings out some of the best tennis players to play in the tournament.
Guess what? This year would’ve been the same if not for my sister…and Naomi Osaka.
Naomi had an upcoming off day and decided to get on social media to declare how much she loves the DC area and really enjoying the tournament (first time playing) because of the amount of black people in attendance. She also noted we’re beautiful and stylish. I mean, DC is called ‘Chocolate City’ for a reason. Also, it just hit me that her longtime boyfriend/baby daddy is from the area as well. PG county, most specifically. So she must be here all the time.
Naomi then asks if she decided to throw a free BBQ on the tennis grounds, would we come through? Of course the replies were like, “HELL YEAH!” The following day, she posted the BBQ details. This is where my sister, Zi, comes into the story.
Zi and her family were in town, and prior to, I let her know of the tournament. Mainly because her daughter - my niece - has been playing tennis for almost 2 years. This would be a great opportunity for them to check out a tennis tournament in a more intimate setting. (We did the US Open not too long ago and that place is HUGE.) When Naomi posted her BBQ message, I immediately hit up Zi and was like, get y’all asses over there to see Naomi! I searched online for tickets, because it’s needed to enter the tennis center, and found a few averaging about $35. A ticket not only grants entry access but you can watch tennis matches played at the main stadium and smaller courts, too. A win-win. At this point my sister was like, come with. She persisted, reminding me that I’m the one who really really loves tennis. So I finished up with work, blocked the rest of the day and headed to DC.
While I didn’t get the chance to see Naomi and catch the BBQ, I’m beyond happy my sis and nieces did. They got a few selfies and my niece told Naomi about her summer extensive tennis camp.
On my end, I bumped into Frances Tiafoe in front of the VIP entrance (big up to the cart driver who took me to the nearest entrance from where I parked!) He was so nice to sign a cup for the cart driver and take a quick selfie with me. Like, I gently (well, I hope it was gently) interrupted his convo…twice…for this to happen. Again, such a sweet guy.
Unfortunately, he lost his first round match to Térence Atmane. We left way before the final result because it was getting late and I had the work the next day. Thankfully, I’m remote but still, it’s work. Overall, we had such a great time. Yes, it was hot AF. But there were plenty of seating areas providing lots of shade. As mentioned, DC Citi Open is not as big as the well known tournaments and even their tennis grounds reflect this, giving a very intimate setting. I’m talking about seeing the tennis players walking alongside attendees like it was nothing. Such a thing would never happen at the US Open. Loads of interactive activities. Loads of brand activations including Mercedes displaying their latest car and La Roche-Posay passing out samples. We got to experience the VIP Lounge and their delicious food. And even though our seats would be considered ‘nose bleeds’, watching the matches still felt close enough.
To say I’ll be back next year would be an understatement. I’ll be in there like swimwear! Hot AF weather, be damned.
