My US Open 2010 Experience (with tips and useful info)

[geese_com]

Here’s a collection of tips and other useful things that I did during my first ever trip to the US Open. Some of these tips have been taken from older threads and I would like to give those posters credit and thank them for the useful tips. I might be reiterating them here in this post just to emphasize that I was able to utilize their tips during my trip.

• You can bring your own water into the National Tennis Center (NTC). We bought some Evian 1L bottles at a local grocery store, packed them at the bottom of our bags (tote bags), and were able to bring them through security. One time they even checked and handled the water bottle and didn’t say anything about it. This can sure save you some money since a 750ml bottle of water is somewhere around $3.75. There are enough drinking fountains around the grounds that you shouldn’t have any problems refilling your water bottles.

• We were also able to bring food into the grounds. We took a quart full of trail mix or chips and some protein bars into the grounds. We saw some people with sandwiches that they packed into zip-lock bags and were eating them up in the stands, so I guess you can do that as well.

• If you are going to be there for a night session, bringing a jacket is highly recommended. It was quite windy during this year’s Open and the first night session was terribly cold up in the lower promenade. Also, it might be a good idea to wear some jeans or something other than shorts since your legs will get quite cold as well.

• When walking for the Mets-Willets Point station to the NTC, by the end of the boardwalk this year, Stonyfield was handing out free yogurt, so my wife and I each took 2 containers and ate them throughout the day. LU Biscuits was also there handing out some chocolate biscuits which were quite good, we made sure to grab some of those since it would stop us from wanting to buy food from the US Open vendors and their over inflated prices.

• When walking to the NTC from the subway station, the South Gate is definitely a better option than the East Gate. Almost everyone coming off the subway goes to the East Gate, so you can expect really long lines. The South Gate is about another 5 minute walk away, but is well worth not waiting in line. Also, in our experience the security was not as thorough on the South Gate. The one time we went through the East Gate, they actually sifted through our bags and moved things around.

 

[geese_com]

(continued)

• For autograph hunters, the American Express information booth (or US Open information booth) was the only info booth in the whole grounds that had an actual print out of when the players were practicing! They usually posted the schedule at around 10:45-11:00. I found this very useful when waiting for Fed or Nadal so I can grab their signatures. One day I waited eight and a half hours (I missed a whole day session) at the barrier right by the practice courts so that I can get either of their signatures (I ended up getting a lot of signatures that day, around 12 if I remember correctly). WARNING: If you are right up against the barrier and one of the popular players like Fed, Nadal, or Clijsters come for signatures, prepare to BE CRUSHED! I was definitely in pain after Nadal came over one day. N.B. Fed was not on the schedule for most of the days I was there (Nadal for a couple days as well), so it pays off to make friends and talk it up with the security people because they know what time they will be showing up.

• To save some money on used US Open tennis balls (1 for $5 a can of 3 for $15), you can hang out by the outer courts and nicely talk to an umpire after the match if they have any extra balls that they can give away. I talked to an umpire after one of the boys junior matches and he nicely gave me 2 balls. Another time, I asked another ump and I got nothing, so it really just depends on the ump. Be real nice, and I think they might give you some.

• Watch some juniors matches and wheelchair matches, they are quite good and fun to watch. I was so amazed watching some of the wheelchair players, that I highly recommend watching them.

• For the men’s and women’s doubles finals this year, Courtside seating for Arthur Ashe was first come, first serve. They only made the announcement once over the loud speaker, so not many people were down there. I was able to sit 3 rows back right behind the baseline during the women’s doubles final (before it got rained out).

• Check out SmashZone. It maybe for kids but it is quite fun. This year they had a speed gun set up so you can check out the speed of your serve (I only got a 113mph, record for the whole open was 132mph), some table tennis tables and other fun stuff to do. I entered a competition held at SmashZone (hit as many targets in 30 seconds) and ended up winning a free t-shirt.

 

[geese_com]

(continued)

• Between P3 and P4 there is a gate area where you can get even closer to the players practicing and get some nice pictures/videos.

• BRING SUNCREEN! Also a 360 degree brimmed hat would be very useful. If you don’t have a 360 degree brimmed hat, you can try to get one of the free fans from the Olympus stand or around the grounds and use that to fan yourself or shade yourself when you are sitting in the stands watching matches.

• Current players are not the only players you practice on the practice courts. Here’s a list of some of the other “older” players who practiced during the 2nd week: Martina Navratilova, Martina Hingis, Pat Cash, Michael Chang, Mats Wilander, Jimmy Connors, Tracy Austin (most of them were practicing because of the Champions Invitational event that was going on at the same time.) The Champions Invitational matches were quite fun to watch since is in the World Team Tennis format and the players joke around a lot during the match. Also, they are TENNIS LEGENDS and you get to see them in person (that’s what mattered most to me.)

• I heard from someone else standing and waiting for signatures with me that during the Nadal’s night match (the one that ended at around 2am), he was walking around the bathroom/food/souvenirs section inside of Arthur Ashe and security wearing red were handing out Courtside Passes. Apparently, when all the courtside people starting leaving and only the hardcore fans are left, the TV cameras do not like having lots of empty seats scattered around so they have people move down so it looks better for TV (in my opinion it makes it seem as if all the middle class people had to leave and only the rich people who can afford the ridiculously priced courtside seats are left). So you can try your luck with that.

• For autographs, I found that buying the Official US Open magazine a good thing to sign since it has pictures of most of the popular players. I found that some players are more willing to sign a picture of themselves instead of a fan or one of the daily schedules (although they will sign on a page on the daily schedule that has their picture)

 

[geese_com]

(continued)

• Another autograph tip: you have probably all seen those giant yellow tennis balls that people get autographed. I recommend that you purchase those before you get to Open. They were selling them for $40 EACH!!!! You can probably buy them for much cheaper online beforehand

• Yet another autograph tip: bring a collection of sharpies. You will end up losing them if you lend them out. Also, it does not hurt to have a Sharpie than can be used to sign on a dark color (like a silver or gold Sharpie, I got Fed to sign my black RF hat with a silver sharpie. I just asked him nicely to switch and sign)

• More autograph tips: some players do not sign on game day (Wozniaki, Soderling). Fed, Nadal , and Clijsters always signed.

• Please stay well hydrated. It is very easy to get dehydrated at the US Open.

• If you are trying to sell tickets, I would recommend posting it on the New York Craigslist and meeting them at a very public place like a subway stop. I posted my Finals tickets (for the rescheduled Monday) and was able to sell them within 45 minutes of the ad showing up on Craigslist. Do not even try to sell them to the scalpers unless you are really desperate (I wish I did Craigslist earlier so that I wouldn’t have to incur such a loss on my extra tickets)

• Ask the information booths if there are signings or anything of the like going on. This could be a chance to meet some players (past and current)

• Every once in a while they have signings posted, so keep an eye out for that (I saw one for Anna Kournikova and another for Chris Evert)

• I heard that shirts and etc are half off the day after the conclusion of the Open, but I was not able to test that rumor out myself.

 

[geese_com]

Reserved for any other tips I can think of....

 

[West Coast Ace]

Wow! Awesome post. I think it's an understatement to say you got your money's worth.

I know that 'crushing' feeling - scary! Got it last yr in Shanghai - Rafa was on a practice court; near the end of his hit Safin showed up to take over the court at the top of the hour; a ton of squealing Chinese teenagers started pushing. From wanting to get an autograph, I suddenly was just hoping to survive.

 

[larlarbd]

Thank You for The Tips My man , Very Good Info indeed.

 

[geese_com]

Hopefully, I can remember to bump this soon before the 2011 US Open.

 

[AlexDK09]

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Richards19]

Wow! You're given awesome tips!

 

[Morgan]

(continued)

• For the men’s and women’s doubles finals this year, Courtside seating for Arthur Ashe was first come, first serve. They only made the announcement once over the loud speaker, so not many people were down there. I was able to sit 3 rows back right behind the baseline during the women’s doubles final (before it got rained out).
QUOTE]

Wished I heard that - I was up in the nosebleeds for the men's double finals.

Good ideas about bringing in food - I think I got ahold of some bad food (bratwurst) from their concessions.

Really enjoyed watching the junior matches. Looking forward to returning to the Open in the upcoming years.

 

[geese_com]

(continued)

• For the men’s and women’s doubles finals this year, Courtside seating for Arthur Ashe was first come, first serve. They only made the announcement once over the loud speaker, so not many people were down there. I was able to sit 3 rows back right behind the baseline during the women’s doubles final (before it got rained out).
QUOTE]

Wished I heard that - I was up in the nosebleeds for the men's double finals.

Good ideas about bringing in food - I think I got ahold of some bad food (bratwurst) from their concessions.

Really enjoyed watching the junior matches. Looking forward to returning to the Open in the upcoming years.

I was pretty excited just to sit close to courtside on Arthur Ashe stadium, even if the whole day ended up getting rained out.

I hope to go back in the future as well. It was absolutely awesome.

 

[zapvor]

this year we definitely need to do a TW meet up at the Open!!!

 

[hityellowball]

I'm looking to buy tickets for Sunday's Final. I've never been before.

Will ticket prices increase from now? Should I buy on ticketexchange or look elsewhere?

General tips please?

 

[fedfan86]

Hi hityellowball - I'm coming over from the UK for the US Open this year, spending most of the second week there. I managed to get semi tickets on ticketmaster, but have checked a lot for final tickets and haven't had any luck.

I was desperate to go to the final as I won't be going again any time soon, so ended up buying on Stubhub for $200 each - roughly double face-value. I managed to get tickets for the Wimbledon final this year and paid around the same amount (that was face-value though!). Stubhub seems the cheapest exchange site.

I'm thinking of going to the Shanghai masters as well later in the year as I'm changing jobs and hoping to holiday inbetween - this Tennis Travel forum is very useful I'm finding for tips and info!

 

[anhuynh16]

The crushed part is very true!!!! I was at the FO 2009 and Rafa was practicing and they're was about 75-90 people in an area the size of an average room

 

[got spin?]

Dont forget to pick up a few pairs of nike shoes and gear exclusives that some of here on tt would shell out some serious $$$ for.

 

[FedExpress 333]

Does anyone know what the "sessions" mean on stubhub? I dont understand what are for semis, finals, etc.

 

[anhuynh16]

Does anyone know what the "sessions" mean on stubhub? I dont understand what are for semis, finals, etc.

sessions- like day or night- louis armstrong or arther ashse

 

[FedExpress 333]

Just a question:

1. are the ground passes enough to get a GOOD view of the court at Ashe?

2. Do the Ashe tickets include general grounds admission?

3. Do the promenades give a good view of the court at Ashe?

4. Is their any way of making sure that you will see a pro play a match? I really want to go, but ONLY if I can see Fed play.

BTW, thank you very much for the advice, it is very much appreciated.

 

[JoelDali]

Just a question:

1. are the ground passes enough to get a GOOD view of the court at Ashe?

2. Do the Ashe tickets include general grounds admission?

3. Do the promenades give a good view of the court at Ashe?

4. Is their any way of making sure that you will see a pro play a match? I really want to go, but ONLY if I can see Fed play.

BTW, thank you very much for the advice, it is very much appreciated.

1. Yes, but only during the day. I watched Fed - VS - Britton 2009 from a decent vantage point. But keep in mind that unless you have $10,000 seats you will be looking at the video screen most of the time. No one sticks in Ashe for the whole match usually the first few days. You don't want to be in ONE spot for more than 30 mins the first few days. You want to walk around the outer courts where within 30 minutes you can see 100 different top 50 men and women from 10 feet away.

2. Yes of course.

3. Not really, thats why they are only $170, when you watch a match at Ashe as a NON GOAT you will be watching the video screen 75% of the time.

4. You need to see the schedule. 100% guarantee you will see him if he plays day session on Ashe. Everyone can sit in Ashe from Promenade. If that is too far then spend $500+ for low level seats.