I had watched it on TV for years, seen the night matches, heard the roar of the crowd inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, but nothing quite prepares you for what it’s like to actually walk through the gates at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.
Here’s what my first-ever US Open experience was really like — from Kids’ Day and practice courts to five-set drama and surprisingly expensive sandwiches.
Staying in Manhattan & Getting to Flushing Meadows
I flew into John F. Kennedy International Airport about a week before the main draw began and stayed in Manhattan at the InterContinental New York Barclay. Fun fact: it’s known as one of the players’ hotels during the tournament, so breakfast sometimes came with a side of professional tennis players.
The US Open takes place in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, about 30–40 minutes by taxi from Midtown Manhattan and roughly 20–30 minutes from JFK. It’s easy to reach, but like everything in New York, you’ll want to factor in traffic.
Kids’ Day: The Smartest Way to Visit
My first visit to the tournament was on the Saturday before the main draw — Kids’ Day. It’s free entry and essentially serves as a massive open house for families and fans. There are exhibitions, activities, music, and most importantly: open practice sessions.
Nearly every outdoor court had top players hitting practice sets. For a tennis fan, this is gold. You’re standing just a few feet away from elite athletes fine-tuning their games before the tournament begins.
Kids’ Day also gave me time to properly explore the scale of the venue. The National Tennis Center houses 22 courts across 46 acres. Three are stadium courts:
- Arthur Ashe Stadium – 23,771 capacity
- Louis Armstrong Stadium – 14,000 capacity
- Grandstand – 8,125 capacity
To put that in perspective, Wimbledon’s Centre Court holds around 15,000. Ashe is enormous.
Arthur Ashe Stadium: Bigger Than You Expect
Walking into Arthur Ashe for the first time was surreal. Even half full during a practice session, the scale was hard to grasp. I was seated high up in the upper tier, but because of the steep design, the view of the court was surprisingly clear.
That said, the players do look small. And something else surprised me: the noise. Even during practice, the buzz of the crowd made it difficult to hear the ball being struck. I can only imagine how intense a night session must feel — thrilling if you love atmosphere, slightly frustrating if you’re a purist who wants to hear every contact.
From the very top of Ashe, you also get a glimpse of the New York skyline in the distance — a reminder that this isn’t just tennis, this is New York tennis.
Be
Practice Courts: Where the Real Magic Happens
If you truly love tennis, spend time at the practice courts.
I watched Andrey Rublev training in 30°C heat, going full intensity just days before his main draw match. The fitness levels are staggering. Later, Venus Williams arrived at the practice courts and the crowd instantly swelled — it felt like a match had started.
By the time main draw Monday arrived, I knew exactly where to go first: the practice schedule inside the US Open app lets you track when specific players are hitting. It’s an underrated feature.
I watched Stan Wawrinka warming up with his coach, doing coordination drills with volleyballs. On nearby courts, Richard Gasquet’s one-handed backhand looked just as elegant in person as it does on television. Lorenzo Musetti, all flair and style, drew his own crowd.
If you want autographs, this is your zone. Juniors line the fences waiting for players to finish sessions.
Main Draw Monday: The Energy Cranks Up
I arrived around 9:30 a.m. for 11 a.m. play. The line looked long but moved quickly — about 10 minutes total. Security is strict: no outside liquids, and cameras must be under 200mm in length.
Ground passes give you access to nearly everything except Ashe and Armstrong seating areas. And honestly? That’s where the best value is.
I watched J.J. Wolf take on Zhang Zhizhen (ZZ). The atmosphere was unbelievable. Wolf, as the American, had the crowd behind him from the first point. After dropping the first two sets, he stormed back to force a fifth. The match ended with Zhizhen winning by the slimmest of margins — only two more points won across 362 total points played. That’s tennis at its most brutal.
Food Prices: Let’s Talk About It
New York isn’t cheap, and neither is the US Open.
- Chicken sandwich: $18
- Pasta Bolognese: $27
- Small water: $6.50
- Large water: $8.50
Bring a reusable bottle — there are refill stations on site.
The signature cocktail, the Honey Deuce (vodka, lemonade, melon balls), is $22 and wildly popular. Almost everyone in line seemed to be ordering one.
How Does the US Open Compare to Wimbledon & Roland Garros?
I’ve also been to Wimbledon and the French Open, and the US Open is very different.
If you love a buzzing, almost festival-like sporting atmosphere, this is your Grand Slam. The crowd is loud, reactive, energetic. It can elevate matches to another level.
If you’re a traditionalist who wants silence between points and reverence for every rally, you may prefer Wimbledon or Roland Garros.
For me, the US Open ranks highest for atmosphere. There’s something about late-summer New York, packed stands, and five-set battles under the lights that feels unmatched.
Final Tips for Visiting the US Open
- Go early in the tournament — Kids’ Day or qualifying week is fantastic.
- Arrive early for popular matches on outer courts.
- Use the app to track practice sessions.
- Bring a refillable water bottle.
If you have a must-see player, get to their court early — seats fill fast.
I was lucky to grab front-row seats for that five-set thriller because someone left at the perfect moment. That kind of luck doesn’t always happen twice.
The Verdict
The US Open is tennis turned up to maximum volume. It’s big, bold, loud, and unapologetically New York.
If you’re planning a trip, don’t just think about the matches — think about the experience. Walk the grounds. Watch practice sessions. Stay for the night atmosphere. Soak in the skyline.
cause when the crowd roars in Queens, you’ll realize quickly: this isn’t just another tournament. It’s summer in New York at full throttle.