Reflections from the US Open

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By Matt Ouimette

Over the weekend I attended my first US Open Tennis Championship, held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY. The US Open, the final of the four Grand Slam tennis events of the year, follows the Australian Open (Melbourne), French Open (Paris), and Wimbledon (London). According to The New York Times, last week’s combined day and night attendance averaged 75,012 fans per day, making those days the top five best-attended in tournament history – an indication of a rising interest in tennis. 

I kicked off the day with Jessica Pegula’s (America) win over Diana Shnaider (Russia), before watching Daniil Medvedev (Russia) defeat Nuno Borges (Portugal). Overall, it was a great experience. Here are some reflections from the experience as a first-timer:

Tickets: Tips from an Insider

  • Log in early: Whether for presale or regular sale, timing is everything. Be prepared to block out your morning and log in at least an hour before tickets are released to secure your spot in the queue. This year, logging in 45 minutes early led to about the 120th position in the queue whereas logging in 30 minutes early resulted in around the 500th position. 
  • Beat the bots: Tickets can skyrocket from $175 to $500 in minutes, so act fast when it’s your turn in the queue.
  • Know your shade: A shade map is your best friend. Sitting in a shaded section can make or break your viewing experience regardless of the temperature. Keep a shade map, such as this one, handy to quickly find the best seats when purchasing tickets (more on heat management later). 
  • Use a laptop: Access the ticketing site from a laptop rather than a mobile device for a smoother purchasing process.

Honey Deuce

  • This $10 million signature cocktail is a must-try. Though one insider alleged the drink was watered down, even so, this attendee found it worth the $23 for the collectible cup alone.

Sun and Heat Management

  • The day I attended was 79°F – cooler than previous years but still surprisingly hot in direct sunlight. Moving to a shaded section made a huge difference.
  • Sunscreen is essential. Fortunately, it’s available for purchase or free in certain lounges. Water is for sale, but refill stations are conveniently located throughout the venue – a smart move by the organizers to create the best possible experience.

AMEX Radios

  • AMEX provided earpiece radios with ESPN broadcast and live US Open updates. While a great solution – as cell service can be iffy and Wi-Fi slow – the broadcast flipped between matches throughout the afternoon. Though enriched by the live insight into the action, I was surprised the technology was not able to provide match-specific audio using geo location. 

AMEX Lounge Perks

  • The AMEX lounge was a cool escape. Highlights included glow tennis and free postcards – a few were even sent to loyal followers! The lounge is available to AMEX card holders and one guest. 
  • There was also a Chase lounge but I didn’t get a chance to check it out. 

Practice Courts

  • The practice courts were a unique experience. It’s rare in major sports to get so close to your favorite athletes. I watched Caroline Wozniacki warm up from the same section as her team and husband, former NBA player David Lee—a definite highlight.

Merchandise

  • If you plan to buy gear, get there early. The lines get long fast, so arriving early is your best bet to avoid the wait.