The Backyard Slam Experience
A visit to the US Open
For someone who grew up playing tennis, competing at Wimbledon or any big-stage tennis event was a dream that flashed for a fleeting second. Soon, I replaced the dream of playing with just attending a grand slam event. That dream became a reality when I moved to the New York area 12 years ago.
The child-like excitement of stepping foot on the grounds of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and then queuing up to enter Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time is vividly clear.
Over the years, I’ve familiarized myself with the event, the venue, and everything that makes it easier to visit. I’m sure there may be more useful forums online, but this is my scoop on the US Open.
Fan Week
First, free things. The week before the event is called Fan Week. From the event’s perspective, the players come in to practice, and the qualifying rounds take place. There are no tickets needed to visit during Fan Week. It’s a great way to watch some professional players up close and even get some autographs or pictures with them. Fan Week is now celebrated with much fanfare and fun events with its own schedule.
Tickets
Once the event starts, the first week is the best week because multiple matches are being…
