They say L.A. has it all: Hollywood glitz, rolling ocean waves, stellar symphonies, world-class art, food to die for and a sizzling A-list scene of dahlin' divas and dapper dudes. Amidst these many jewels is another gem that shines brightly — the Farmer's Classic Presented by Mercedes-Benz.
For 85 summers some of the finest athletic talent in the world has descended upon its intimate L.A. settings. And this year (July 25-31), the UCLA campus will be once again be abuzz with ATP Tour stars as the L.A. Tennis Center plays host to an up-close, in-the-heat-of-the-action tennis tournament like few others, where neighbors and glitterati alike migrate to Westwood, where (not-always-that-subtle) people watching only adds to the on-court festivities.
Singles or doubles, in the feel-good heat of a sun-baked afternoon or under the stars, the tournament is a showcase. One year it's Southern California's Bryan Bros. scoring a tear-stained triumph for the ages. (BTW: which one's Bob, which one's Mike?) Another year it's Brit Andy Murray moving like a Malibu breeze, or homeboy Sam Querrey grabbing back-to-back titles. Purists recall the classic Sampras–Agassi finals of '99 and '01, or the year a Swedish fellow named Edberg finally prevailed after three unsuccessful trips to the final. Few other tournaments have a lineage quite like L.A.'s. (Its iconic champions include Laver, Connors, McEnroe, Becker, Ashe, Chang, Gonzalez and the late Jack Kramer, who for decades was at the heart of it all.)
This year, the Farmer's Classic will feature America's No. 1 player, Mardy Fish, who, in blood-splattered gear, heroically led the U.S. to a Davis Cup triumph high in the mountains of Colombia last fall. And speaking of South America, the tournament will once again feature Argentina's gentle giant, Juan Martin Del Potro, who's gifted with a fierce forehand and took out Andy Roddick in the '08 L.A. final. Also on hand will be '06 Aussie Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis, with his Mediterranean charisma; three-time Olympic medalist Fernando Gonzalez, two-time NCAA champ Somdev Devvarman; and Serbian Davis Cup hero Janko Tipsarevic, who is known both for his Zen Garden tattoos, one of which predicts that “beauty will save the world.”
Of course, these days it's not too likely that beauty will save the world. But we do know one thing: in a town filled with glitzy options, Los Angelinos are fortunate to have one beauty of a tournament, the 85th Farmers Classic. For ticket info, visit farmersclassic.com/tickets or call (310) 824-1010 ext. 251.
