US Open Tennis Tournament: A Tennis Bum's Travel Guide

A Tennis Bum's Travel Guide

Main Draw
August 25 - September 7
Qualifying
August 19 - August 22

"It smells. It’s loud. It’s expensive. And it’s glamorous. In fact, the U.S. Open tennis tournament is a lot like the city it’s in. For players who can thrive in a glaring spotlight, who don’t mind the stench of garbage and greasy burgers, who can deal with distractions such as huge traffic jams and world-famous nightclubs, the Open can be a hospitable place."

“When you play on the outside courts they are making hamburgers and hot dogs and you can smell it. I like hamburgers but not when I'm playing.” — Goran Ivanisevic

It's arguably the most exciting tennis tournament in the world. Intense competition among the world's best players, the crowds, the heat, and the drama that make the US Open so enjoyable to watch also make it the tournament that's the most difficult to win.

Most tennis enthusiasts catch a glimpse of the Open on TV, but few get an opportunity to come to the National Tennis Center in New York to actually experience the excitement and energy in person. I'm one of them.

Dave Barry says: "The U.S. Open crowd is made up mainly of your wealthy, upper crust, wine-snot type of individual, who is genuinely concerned about the rising cost of helicopter maintenance, the type of individual who does not personally do The Wave because he or she has a staff for that purpose."

Is Dave right?

I want to find out if it's possible to attend the Open on a normal person's budget. I don't have $1000-3,000 to spend on a luxury trip to NY. Is it possible to attend the Open for less than $200, or even $100 per day? I'm talking tickets, room, food and local transportation. I've explored the Web attempting to collect info about these expenses and how to minimize them.

The stuff I've discovered is listed below. But I'm sure there's LOTS of local, "inside" info I haven't found. If you've actually been to the Open, know New York, and want to contribute info, recommendations, warnings, URLs, etc. just e-mail them to me and I'll incorporate them. This info is crucial to making this site useful for tennis fans attending the Open for the first time.

Thanks!

John Valentich
Pittsburgh, PA
Site Developer

TENNIS in the Burgh