COMING UP ACES: YOUR VISITOR’S GUIDE TO THE U.S. OPEN OF TENNIS

Written by Nick Simard on 17.01.19

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Tennis, anyone? For fans of the sport here in America, the U.S. Open is the go-to destination. Every year, fans of the sport and its one-of-a-kind personalities flock to Flushing Meadows in Queens for the captivating, two-week tournament.

Interested in going? Here’s our visitor’s guide to the U.S. Open:

What are the basics of the tournament?

The U.S. Open tennis tournament has been held on the hard courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens every year since 1978. It is one of the most important events on the tennis calendar – one of the four “Grand Slam” events in the sport – and starts every year on the last Monday in August (Aug. 27 in 2018) and lasts for around two weeks (ending on Sept. 9 in 2018).

There are 32 seeds in both the men’s and women’s brackets for a total of 64 players, with men’s and women’s doubles, men’s and women’s singles, and mixed doubles; there are also wheelchair, senior and junior competitions. Rafael Nadal and Sloane Stephens (2017) are the defending champions, and the total tournament prize money for 2018 is $53 million dollars. Not a bad chunk of change if you can get it, right?

How can I get tickets?

Your best bet for getting into the Open is to purchase tickets through the Open’s website. There are plenty of different options for ticket purchases; you can pick up a package that will span multiple days and venues, or you can just select options for just a day or two. The prices will vary depending on what round you’re going to see and what venue options you’ll choose; earlier rounds are cheaper, and admission to the main stadium (Arthur Ashe) will likely be more expensive than the other venues. Check the US Open site for a good breakdown of what’s available.

What’s your best bet for a ticket? Well, if money is no object, go ahead and splurge on passes to the Arthur Ashe Stadium and one of the final rounds; you’ll be guaranteed to see a big-name player AND have a nice dent in your wallet (these tickets will likely be on the resale market, and they’ll be a bunch). However, for a nice compromise between seeing excellent action and reasonable price point, look for a competition ticket at the Grandstand or Louis Armstrong Stadium (or the “Grounds” option) earlier in the schedule. You’ll likely have a better view (the Arthur Ashe Stadium is huge and not exactly “intimate” if you sit up higher), you’ll still see some great action, and the crowds will be much more bearable.

How can I get there?

Don’t drive unless you absolutely, positively have to. If you are in that position, there are some lots nearby that will charge an arm and a leg and probably some other limbs for the opportunity to park there. So, yeah. Don’t do it. Instead, take the 7 subway train out to Queens and get off at the Mets-Willets Point stop. All you have to do from there is follow the crowd.

What do I have to know when I get in there?

Here are a few things to remember when you’re at the Open:

Dress for the weather – It’s August and early September – so odds are, it’s going to be hot. Dress appropriately. Wear light, breathable clothing and comfy footgear, and pack sunglasses, sunscreen (a LOT of sunscreen) and a baseball cap to protect yourself from the elements. Don’t forget to pack a water bottle, too, and keep hydrated; there are plenty of water fountains around the grounds.
Be prepared for the security lines – Plan on an extra half-hour or so on your trek as you go through the pat-downs at the security lines. Have some patience, and study the prohibited items list before you go to avoid some awkwardness and wasted money at the lines.
Eat before you go – There’s food available at the Open, but the lines are long, and the prices are scary. Have a big breakfast (if you’re going in the morning) or lunch (if you’re going in the afternoon) to at least cut down on the hassle. Additionally, try eating at the Patio Cafe; it’s not exactly five-star dining, but the cuisine is at least equivalent to an average sports bar, and at least you can get off your feet for a little while. Oh, and if you’d like an ice-cold beer to combat the hot day, the Patio Cafe can provide (though, again, it won’t be cheap).
Act appropriately – The Open isn’t a place for rowdies – it’s not the upper deck of Giants or Yankee Stadium. Decorum is expected. Don’t yell out in the middle of play, or try to swipe seats, or boo the players on the court. That’s not how the crowd at a tennis match works. Tamp down some of your wilder impulses, and you’ll get the most out of your experience (and you won’t be kicked out).

How else can I enjoy the open?

If you can’t get to the Open, there are plenty of other options to enjoy the action in the City! Head out to one of our fine sports bars to watch the rounds (live tennis is a tremendously underrated sport to watch as a social event) and if the tennis bug bites you, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

The U.S. Open is only one of the many things you can do while living in New York City! Check out Carlyle Property Manangement’s other options here.

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