Posts Tagged ‘us open’

With Wimbledon still in full swing I can’t help but be excited that the US Open will be here before I know it!

The US Open occurs in Flushing Meadows, Queens each summer beginning in August and I can honestly say that it is THE best sporting event I have ever been to (and I have been to what I think are some epic sporting events in the past). It is extremely organized, clean, open and feels like a festival of sorts–often compared to an Olympic village atmosphere. Tickets to the day or night matches are available to see the main matches that take place in the Arthur Ashe stadium (the main arena there) but the tickets also allow free roaming ability to walk the grounds to shop, see tennis auctions, eat, visit and witness all of the constant action on the other 15 courts on the grounds. Aside from the “official” courts–there are practice courts on each side of the grounds and watching the tennis greats warm up up close is my favorite part of the Open.

At the practice courts, all of the players, ranked and unranked, practice for their matches side by side-like at a park or high-school. I am in awe for days after seeing Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal (RAFFA!!!) and Venus practice from front row bleacher seats.

Tickets are available here for the 2010 season that runs August 30- September 12 and here is a tip: if you go a week prior to the Open starting, you get on the grounds for free and can watch (and maybe meet) all of the tennis greats practice up-close.

My friend Cora and me at the Open last year. Love that blue court!

me and Roger

Nadal up close at the practice courts

Venus & Roddick practicing

the globe outside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Originally constructed for the 1961 Worlds Fair.

some of the practice courts

NYC from Arthur Ashe