US Open - Visiting a Few Days Before Start?

[starsin47]

Several people have told me they visited the grounds the week prior to the first day of play, and were able to meet players. watch practices, etc.

It had been several years since they did this, but does anyone know if this is possible? If so, any tips on the best time. dates, process, etc??

Thanks!

[dozu]

actually the week prior is VERY enjoyable..

Tue-Fri are the qualies, guys ranked in the 100s beating each other up, while the top guys usually have practice sessions in Armstrong and Grand Stand.. and they are quite relaxed and willing to autograph.

Sat is Kids Day in the Ashe, but there are still practice sessions in Armstrong and Grand Stand.

Sun is practice day - Armstrong/GrandStand is closed, but there will be some practice sessions in the ground courts.

This year I am planning to go on the Kids Day, and the middle Saturday

[DCaicedo]

Originally Posted by dozu

actually the week prior is VERY enjoyable..

Tue-Fri are the qualies, guys ranked in the 100s beating each other up, while the top guys usually have practice sessions in Armstrong and Grand Stand.. and they are quite relaxed and willing to autograph.

Sat is Kids Day in the Ashe, but there are still practice sessions in Armstrong and Grand Stand.

Sun is practice day - Armstrong/GrandStand is closed, but there will be some practice sessions in the ground courts.

This year I am planning to go on the Kids Day, and the middle Saturday

Can I just add that except if you want to go to Arthur Ashe Kids day, and see the teenie bopper celebrity du jour, the week prior to the USO is free!

Qualies are free, going to the practice sessions are free- depending on the player and the court, you can really get up close. You won't catch Fed or Nadal on Court 5, let's say- but you might catch a Verdasco or Delpo. The big name players tend to practice on the 5 (or 6?) courts immediately next to the Stadium. Still do-able in terms of getting an autograph, but you have millions of other fans (and Security) to contend with.

Saturday is a madhouse. I would never go then.

[tennisnj]

Saturday (Kids Day) is definately a madhouse, however, if you can get past all the kids (literally & figuratively) & let them go wild in Ashe Stadium, you pretty much have free reign (sans kids) of all the outside courts watching practices & the occasional final round qualifying match (it's inevitable that matches will be rained out in the previous days).