Get to the tourney early if you want a peek at tennis’ new hotties and hunks: Some won’t survive past the early rounds.
Plus, during the opening week of play, you get a chance to see these budding young stars up close in matches on small back courts. On those first days, not every big-name match is played in the huge, 4-year-old Arthur Ashe Stadium, where only the very rich are seated close to the action.
For the price of a grounds pass – $40 – anyone can enter the National Tennis Center, wander the small courts and watch up-and-comer Taylor Dent or established stars like the Williams sisters slug it out.
The best of these courts are numbers four through 12. Nearby, at the practice courts, you can lean right up against the fence and gaze at players whose matches are always on the stadium courts. I’ve seen Andre Agassi hitting with Pete Sampras there.
With any ticket, you are free to roam around, but you must wait until there is a change of sides during a match to enter a new court.
Don’t bother driving. The parking lots are a long walk from the tennis center. Take the subway. For $1.50, the No. 7 train will take you right to the center, which is near Shea Stadium.
Tickets are for sale at the venue or online. Check out http://www.usopen.org for details.