The Tennis Tourist: The US Open

What? The US Open – the year’s fourth and final calendar Grand Slam, the richest tournament in tennis, one of the oldest competitions in the world. Need we say more?

When? Main draws run from August 30 to September 12, either side of America’s Labor Day weekend as always.

Where? After moving from its Rhode Island roots to West Side Tennis Club at Forest Hills in 1915 – then a short stop-off in Philadelphia during the 1920’s – the US Open was played on grass until 1975, when West Side replaced the grass with HarTru hardcourt surfaces. Then in 1978 it moved to its current home at Flushing Meadows, which had a DecoTurf surface. And The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, is where you’ll find the US Open today.

In short – New York.

Why? Even among the big four, the US Open is that little bit special. For the players, it doesn’t come too early in the season as is often said of the Australian Open, and isn’t played on specialist surfaces like the terre battue of the French Open or lawns of Wimbledon. And unlike Paris and SW19, the US Open is played in a rowdy festival atmosphere, which reaches fever pitch when one of the big names or a home favourite takes to the court. For some, this is a good as tennis can get. Just ask Andy Murray – “I love the US Open and have done since I was a kid. I like the energy of all the people, the city itself. There’s always stuff going on here,” says the Scot.

Tickets? There are still tickets for virtually every session still available from Ticketmaster. Prices range from $52 up to $800 for the men’s final. Seating plans and advice can be found on the US Open site.

Travel? Getting to New York is up to you, but once there USTA encourage ticket holders to travel to Flushing Meadows via mass transit (as those yanks call it.) The 7 train on the Subway provides good service from Grand Central Terminal to Mets-Willets Point Station – located a weighty lob from the site of the New York slam.

Coverage? Oh, it’s covered. The US Open is televised worldwide, in all good newspapers and some bad ones, but most importantly here! tennishead will be providing up-to-the-minute news, results, and interviews, as well as original courtside photography and the musings of our man in the Meadows, plus analysis from your resident tennishead experts. What more do you need?

Last year... As if you could forget! Two thrilling shocks. Juan Martin del Potro was the man with the masterplan in the men's draw, ending Roger Federer's five-year reign at the US Open with a stunning 3-6, 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 triumph. He joined Guillermo Vilas as one of only two South American's to win in New York. Better yet, at 6ft6, the tallest man to win a Grand Slam was welcomed home to his native Tandil atop the most appropriate mode of transport - a fire truck.

Kim Clijsters provided the perfect contrast in the women's draw, but it was daughter Jada that ultimately stole the show after mum had defeated 19-year-old Caroline Wozniacki to become the first mother to claim a Grand Slam since Evonne Goolagong won Wimbledon in 1980. It was Clijsters second US Open title, but the first opportunity for her accompanying bundle of energy to make her mark in Arthur Ashe stadium, which she duly did.

Little known fact… On July 19, 2008, the USTA National Tennis Centre hosted its first ever non-tennis event and the first al-fresco professional basketball match, when the WNBA’s New York Liberty played Indiana Fever in the “Liberty Outdoor Classic: 2008”. Whether they repeat the experience will rest with the egos of the crestfallen hosts, after the contest saw the Fever defeat Liberty 71-55.