Did you know that the US Open is the largest annual international sporting event in terms of attendance? Well, it is, and it takes place right here in NYC — Flushing Meadows, Queens, to be exact.
There’s a reason for this popularity: The Open, which kicks off Monday and runs through September 13, is a ton of fun.
And if you’ve never been, this edition could well be a historical one: If Serena Williams wins the women’s singles event, she will become only the fourth woman to land a calendar Grand Slam — she already has championships from the 2015 Australian and French Opens, as well as Wimbledon.
Read on for a primer on this year’s tourney — from the best days to visit to which up-and-coming players to catch.
Where to see the action
As part of an overall $550 million renovation of the entire complex, cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium got new lighting, new sound and new video screens. We have to wait until 2016 for the retractable roof to be finished, though.
But the truth is that Ashe isn’t all that fun the first week: You can watch marquee players decimate upstarts in boring matches from your overpriced nosebleed seats, or gawk at luxury-box jackasses getting drunk with their back to the court. Some fun.
Open regulars know that during the first eight days, the best bang for your buck is the $70 grounds pass, which gives access to all the courts except for Ashe. You can observe tons of great players mere feet away — and few things are as exciting as elite athletes working their magic in close-up.
Make sure to drop by the fantastic Grandstand before it gets renovated next year, and don’t miss fan-favorite Court 17, a sunken marvel famous for its intimate atmosphere.
Deal of the tourney
Access to the grounds is complimentary on Thursday, September 10 — you can go anywhere for free, except for Ashe and the assigned seating in Louis Armstrong Stadium.
How to get there
You can take the 7 line to Mets-Willets Point, but you’ll get to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center a lot faster on the LIRR. Just make sure you check the schedule ahead of time if you’re planning to stay for a night session.
Where to chow
For years the food at sports facilities was known for high prices and low quality. But with our local arenas stepping up their games, Flushing Meadows had to follow suit. As with Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center, this involved recruiting name chefs — in this case Costata’s Michael White, who will operate out of the redesigned Champions Bar & Grill, and Iron Chef superstar Masaharu Morimoto at the seafood emporium Aces.
More casual are outposts of Hill Country (barbecue) and Maya (tacos) at Ashe. Sweet Chili (Thai/Vietnamese) also joins Morris Grilled Cheese as the second food truck on the grounds.
The tourney’s signature drink, however, remains the Grey Goose Honey Deuce cocktail (pictured): vodka, lemonade, raspberry liqueur and “tennis balls” carved out of honeydew melon.
Beat the security line
The list of forbidden items is as long as the pat-down lines, but here are some key things you really don’t want to bring: large backpacks, coolers, alcohol, bottles or cans, and selfie sticks.
Stick with a good match
It’s hot and you’re tempted to leave a good match in the middle to refresh your drink. Don’t — chances are, you won’t be able to return to that court without standing in a ginormous line.
The players
