With 10 days left in the tournament and more than $100 million on the line, welcome to the U.S. Open’s sweet spot. There are fewer players, bigger stakes, plenty of stars and just enough wild cards to keep things interesting.
Catch me up.
If you haven’t been following every match or off-court drama, don’t worry. Now is the perfect time to dial in.
More than half of the 256 original singles players have been sent home, with $140,000 each, after losing in Round 1. That includes the 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, who was stunned by Argentina’s Mariano Navone in a grueling four-hour five-setter. Djokovic hadn’t lost in the first round of a Slam since 2006.
On the women’s side, Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek remain in the mix, alongside the crowd favorites Naomi Osaka and Alexandra Eala.
The third round of singles action starts tomorrow. This is where things get serious.
It’s not too late to get to the courts.
As of earlier this week, you could get a seat in Arthur Ashe Stadium or a grounds pass for this weekend for a few hundred dollars on the resale market. For a few more days you can make a play for a $25 evening grounds pass.
If you’re open to a higher-risk strategy, consider this: Arrive ticketless, wait until play starts and then buy a secondary market ticket — prices often drop significantly once the gates open and matches are underway. (I’ve successfully done this a few times to get in and enjoy the grounds.)
Admission is free next Thursday.
On Thursday, Sept. 10, entry to the grounds and all matches on the outer courts is free.
As The Times has noted, for some visitors the Open has become a food festival that just so happens to host a tennis tournament. Try that Honey Deuce cocktail or a French Dip — or both! — take a selfie with a replica of the championship trophy, check out one of the great sculptures in sport and, while you’re there, how about some tennis?
Check out the Open’s other draws.
The spotlight may be on the singles stars, but some of the Open’s most compelling action happens in the doubles, the quad wheelchair and the juniors tournaments.
A $30 grounds pass gets you entry to watch up-and-coming singles stars, premier doubles teams and some of the most decorated wheelchair athletes in tennis. These players bring out passionate supporters and newbies alike.
Women’s doubles action starts today, with the men taking the courts tomorrow. On Sunday, the girls’ and boys’ singles tournaments begin, and the wheelchair singles athletes take the court next week.
Make a day of it in Flushing.
The tennis center sits inside Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which is worth exploring. Check out the Unisphere, the Queens Museum and the New York State Pavilion before or after the tennis.
Plan ahead and watch the finals like an insider.
Priced out of courtside seats for the finals? No biggie. You can net a $30 ticket to Fan Fest, running Sept. 12 and 13, which will get you on the grounds and just outside the gates of Arthur Ashe for one of the tournament’s two on-site watch parties. The other one is just steps away, in Louis Armstrong Stadium.
There will be D.J.s, some “Bachelor”-level celebrity hosts and a chance to peek at the A-listers strolling the Open’s “blue carpet.” There will also, of course, be a great crowd to watch the matches. (Separate tickets are required for a Saturday night after party.)
Take the train home.
The subway is the best way to get to the stadium grounds. It’s also the best way home.
The Open’s ride-share pickup location is far from the action and it’s often a zoo. Instead of standing around — late at night — tired and waiting for a ride, you could be on the 7, rehashing one of the greatest events in sports.
Get ready for next year.
The tennis may be in full swing, but this is the end of our run at “Summer in the City: U.S. Open Edition.” I hope many of you got (or will get) a little court time at one of New York’s iconic experiences.
For everyone else, mark your calendars for May 2027, when presale tickets become available for next year’s tournament.
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