- published: 05 Feb 2014
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Coordinates: 51°12′26″N 2°39′07″W / 51.2073°N 2.6519°W / 51.2073; -2.6519
Wells is a cathedral city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England, on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. Although the population recorded in the 2001 census is 10,406, it has had city status since 1205. It is the second smallest English city in terms of area and population after the City of London although, unlike the latter, Wells is not part of a larger metropolitan conurbation, and is consequently described in some sources as being England's smallest city.
The name Wells derives from the three wells dedicated to Saint Andrew, one in the market place and two within the grounds of the Bishop's Palace and cathedral. There was a small Roman settlement around the wells, but its importance grew under the Saxons when King Ine of Wessex founded a minster church in 704, around which the settlement grew. Wells became a trading centre and involved in cloth making before its involvement in both the English Civil War and the Monmouth Rebellion during the 17th century. In the 19th century, transport infrastructure improved with stations on three different railway lines.
The Indian Wells Tennis Garden is a tennis facility in Indian Wells, California, in the Coachella Valley. It is the home of the Indian Wells Masters tournament, a.k.a. the BNP Paribas Open (previously the Pacific Life Open), a joint event of the ATP World Tour and the WTA Tour which constitutes the fifth largest tournament in the world. Indian Wells Tennis Garden also hosts the junior and adult USTA events year round In addition to these large events, during the week members are able to use the courts for recreational play. The tennis garden sets up matches for individuals who want to play. Also, they have clinics and there are pros available for a fee.
The US$ 77 million facility was built in March 2000, and was designed by Rossetti Associates Architects. It includes a 16,100-seat Stadium court, 11 match courts, 6 practice courts, and 2 Har-Tru clay courts on 88 acres (360,000 m2). The stadium court is the second largest tennis-specific stadium in the world.
As well as tennis, the venue has hosted concerts by artists such as The Eagles, The Who, Tom Petty, Andrea Bocelli, and RBD.