[image]
[title]Isn’t the U.S. Open a golfing event?
Why, yes, friends, it is. But it’s also—along with Wimbledon, and the French and Australian Opens—one of the annual tennis Grand Slam events, which go a long way in identifying the sport’s greatest champions. The U.S. Open is played annually at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (Flushing Meadows Park near Perimeter Rd; 866-OPEN-TIX, usta.org) in Flushing, Queens.
RECOMMENDED: Full coverage of this year's US Open
What should I do if I don’t want to watch people hit a ball back and forth?
The BJKNTC is situated near Corona Park: Tour the galleries at the Queens Museum of Art (New York City Building, Flushing Meadows--Corona Park, 718-592-9700), and play some minigolf at Flushing Meadows Golf Center (100 Flushing Meadows--Corona Park at Meridian Rd, 718-271-8182). Or if you’re a sports masochist, head to Citi Field (126th St at Roosevelt Ave, 718-507-8499) to watch the Mets drag their bloated corpse of a team onto the diamond (the club plays home games September 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10, and cheap seats cost $11--$27).
Where can I go to get Andy Roddick to sign my boob?
The big names often warm up on the courts near the President’s Gate in front of large crowds. Usually players can be found practicing from 9:30am to 6pm.
I’m so hungry, I could eat John McEnroe’s ham hock.
Tony Mantuano’s Wine Bar Food in the South Plaza offers a selection of Mediterranean plates, and those still heartbroken over Rafa’s new sleeves can drink their sorrows away at the nearby Heineken Red Star Caf.
Whose racket do I have to buff to get some tickets around here?
Buying a standard individual day-session ticket through Ticketmaster will run you anywhere from $54 to $800. You can also purchase evening-session tickets, which cost $22 apiece (at least for the first three days), or score tickets through the U.S. Open website’s resale option (usopen.org), where people who already have seats for certain sessions unload extras on a tennis-starved populace. Prices for these can vary, but you might get as lucky as Federer.
related
The players to watch
Citi Field neighborhood guide
The best tennis courts
Celebrity courts
See more in Own This City