Monday marks the start of New York City’s annual tennis binge, when the US Open hits Flushing Meadows Park for two weeks of tournament play. The Open is known for being the most electrifying Grand Slam event, attracting celeb spectators like Jay Z and Beyoncé, boasting performances by the likes of Gloria Estefan, and, of course, celebrating one of the world’s most popular sports.
“We commonly refer to it as the Disney World of tennis!” says Danny Zausner, COO of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the home of the Open.
With some courtside tickets topping $900, catching Serena’s serve may seem out of the question. But we sussed out choice ways to do the tourney on the cheap, enlisting Zausner and SI.com’s Beyond the Baseline tennis blogger Courtney Nguyen to chime in with money-saving tips.
Here’s how to go to the Open without going broke.
Take public transportation.
Save the $20 parking fee (and the headache of the Open’s notoriously bad traffic) and take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point station, where you’ll be within walking distance of the action. For a slightly cushier ride, spring for the LIRR, which is $12 from Penn Station.
Head to Arthur Ashe Kids Day . . . today!
Celebrities and fans convene for this family-friendly day of music, tennis and interactive games. All activities are free from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and doors to Arthur Ashe Stadium open at 1 p.m. for a concert featuring Ariana Grande and Austin Mahone (tickets from $13.50 to $44). First Lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to be there, along with former Open champs Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.
Watch practice matches (for free!).
“I really enjoy watching the players practice,” says Nguyen. “Sometimes more than the actual matches!” Gates open at 11 a.m. tomorrow for US Open Practice Day, which is free to the public and draws fans in droves to catch players like Andy Murray and Victoria Azarenka perfect their games. Once the tournament is under way, any ticket grants entry to the practice courts.
Get a grounds pass.
Available during the first week of the tournament, grounds passes range from $64 to $72 and grant access to all Open courts, with the exception of Arthur Ashe Stadium. “The phenomenal thing about a grounds pass is that the matches start at 11 a.m., but it’s not unusual for them to go till 11 p.m. or later,” says Zausner. “So for [$64], you could be watching tennis for 12 hours straight.”
Know when to score tickets on the cheap.
Entry to Arthur Ashe Stadium usually starts at $81, but tickets are as cheap as $32 for next week’s first- and second-round evening sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday. Daytime tickets for Sept. 3 to 5 start at just $60.50.
Look for up-and-comingplayers.
“A lot of big names are going to be on the smaller courts,” says Nguyen, identifying Brian Baker, Jamie Hampton and Ryan Harrison as ones to watch. Another is 18-year-old Madison Keys. “Everybody is looking to her as the future of American women’s tennis,” adds Nguyen. “And she plays a game that fans really like.”
Grab cheap eats on the way there and back.
Forgo pricey concessions for affordable bites found along the7 train route. Open 24 hours, Alpha Donuts is a popular choice for French crullers ($1) and Western omelets ($6). And if it’s a burger you’re craving, some of the borough’s best are at Donovan’s Pub, served alongside a pile of handcut fries ($9 to $11).
Alpha Donuts, 45-16 Queens Blvd., Sunnyside, 718-472-4725, 7 train to 46th Street; Donovan’s Pub, 57-24 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside, 718-429-9339, 7 train to Woodside-61st Street.
Catch a live performance
Tickets for the opening-night performance featuring Lenny Kravitz are still up for grabs (starting at $40), but there’s more music to come. Folk-rock trio Astoria Boulevard, a cappella group Treble and cover band MIXTAPE are just a few of the acts slated to perform throughout the tournament. Shows take place on the South Lawn and are included with any ticket.
Stop by the American Express Fan Experience.
Want to get your swing analyzed by a pro? Or challenge a friend to a digital tennis match? Take a trip to the indoor practice facility, where American Express is hosting these activities and more. “The International Tennis Hall of Fame will have an exhibit there, too,” says Zausner.
The US Open runs from Monday through Sept. 9. For event details, visit usopen.org. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com.