Welcome to Summer in the City. For the next three weeks, we’ll be guiding you through one of New York’s biggest summer parties: the U.S. Open. Whether you’re a seasoned Slamgoer or someone whose match experience is limited to Hinge, we’ve got recommendations for how to enjoy the country’s most exciting tennis tournament, on a budget that starts at $0. Here’s an Open secret: You don’t have to be a tennis fan to love the tournament. If you’re into fashion, food, world-class sport or cocktails with tennis ball-shaped honeydew bites, this event is for you. All you need is a ticket and subway fare. This is the first of three newsletters about how to experience the U.S. Open. Each one will cover events at and around Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, Queens. Getting there is easy.Public transportation offers both the easiest and the cheapest route to the grounds. Take the 7 subway line to the Mets-Willets Point station, and follow the crowd to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Leave extra time to clear security, and save yourself some hassle and money by leaving your backpack at home and bringing a water bottle. Refill stations are easy to find. Go for free during Fan Week.
If by “ticket” you’re picturing an out-of-reach, $10,000 courtside seat in Arthur Ashe Stadium, think again. Admission is free during Fan Week, which is Sunday to Saturday, beginning Aug. 23. Download the U.S.T.A. app, get your Fan Pass and you’re in. Fan Week is the week before the main singles and doubles tournaments kick off, and visitors can find the game’s biggest stars practicing or playing in the tournament’s mixed doubles competition, which runs Monday to Wednesday and is now in its second year. It’s not unheard-of to bump into, say, Coco Gauff or Carlos Alcaraz coming off a court. Who knows — if you’re especially lucky, there might be a selfie with Naomi Osaka. Consider leveling up.The mixed doubles tournament includes greats like the four-time champion Novak Djokovic, the world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the Filipino sensation Alexandra Eala and the American heartthrob Taylor Fritz — and many of the matches are free. Your Fan Pass gets you into both the preliminary rounds that start Monday at 11 a.m. and the first-round matches on Tuesday at Louis Armstrong Stadium, the second biggest venue on the grounds and a great place to catch the Open’s vibe. For a hundred bucks or so, consider a ticket to the mixed doubles semis and finals. They’re both on Wednesday, starting at 7 p.m., and require paid entry. They’ll be at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the big stage, where the energy is electric, especially at night. Watch the qualifiers.The highest ranked players get automatic entry into the tournament. All other competitors have to win three matches in “qualies,” which run from Monday to Thursday. This year, that includes Bianca Andreescu, the champion of the 2019 U.S. Open. In 2021, Emma Raducanu came through qualies to win the title. Some of the tournament’s grittiest performances happen in these do-or-die matches that are free and fun. Take the kids.
If the Savannah Bananas appeal as much as tennis, head to Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, a free, daylong festival on the tournament grounds that is on Sunday, Aug. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The tennis-focused can watch top-ranked players on practice courts and join drop-in lessons during the afternoon. For everyone else, there’s face painting, balloon artists, D.J.s, $10 kids’ meals and more. Stay tuned.We’ll be back next week with tips for taking in the main event, no matter what your budget may be. (Hint: The best seats are not at Arthur Ashe.) See you next week!
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