Late August into September is an exciting time for tennis. The hard court season is coming to a finale, and tennis lovers around the world cheer on their favorite tennis professionals at the U.S. Open, the final stop on the tennis calendar.
With this great event around the corner, we decided to highlight some of the reasons why we love the U.S. Open and why you should attend!
NYC
When you’re not at tennis enjoy NYC, one of the best cities in the world. See a Broadway play, wander around Times Square, take a stroll through Central Park, visit one of the many museums… there’s something for everyone in the Big Apple.
Rowdy Crowds
The U.S. Open has a reputation for rowdy and enthusiastic crowds, unlike Wimbledon or Roland Garros. They bring a different vibe to the tennis scenery, especially during night matches. Many of the professional players enjoy the constant buzzing. Maria Sharapova commented on how she likes to “feel the energy” of the crowd.
Dining
Watching tennis works up an appetite. There are several different restaurants to enjoy on the grounds. If you’re looking for a fine dining experience and have courtside seats, head over to the Champions Bar & Grill or Aces. If you’re looking for casual dining or the bar scene, hit up the Mojito Restaurant & Bar or the Heineken Red Star Cafe.
Entertainment
Everyday at the U.S. Open is packed with shows, including various upcoming bands and singer/songwriters. While you’re waiting for your next match, grab a bite, relax and listen to some music.
Arthur Ashe Stadium
Sitting in the majestic Arthur Ashe Stadium is a must at least once in your lifetime. The stadium is full of tennis history. In 2016, the retractable roof will be completed to avoid rain delays. This will create even more match opportunities.
Louis Armstrong Stadium
If you’ve already experienced Arthur Ashe Stadium, buy a ticket in Louis Armstrong Stadium for a fraction of the cost of an equivalent seat in Arthur Ashe Stadium. During the first week it features many big names and highly competitive matches that often go late into the night. There is first-come first-serve seating, but chances are you won’t get a seat if someone like Roger Federer is playing unless you have a reserved seat.
Practice Courts
You can get close and personal with the tennis professionals by watching them warm up on one of the 5 practice courts near Arthur Ashe Stadium that features an elevated 30-foot section that seats more than 1,300 fans. If you time it right, you may even receive an autograph from your favorite player.
Celebrity Spotting
Tennis is a popular sport among the famous. You never know who you might see watching a match. Last year Hamlet’s Peter Sarsgaard, Orange Is the New Black’s Uzo Aduba and Saturday Night Live’s Jason Sudeikis were spotted. Who will you spot this year?
Final Grand Slam
As the final grand slam of the year, the U.S. Open is known as the “grand finale” for the professionals. They get one last time to prove themselves and bring their A-game. Did you know the fastest serve recorded at the U.S. Open was 152 mph? Or that the longest match recorded was 5 hours and 26 minutes?
Support the USTA
One of the greatest things about the U.S. Open is that all the net proceeds from ticket sales promotes the development of tennis in the U.S. So buy a ticket, enjoy yourself and know you’re money is going towards a great cause.
