Queens is the place to be at the end of each August and September when the largest tennis tournament in the country returns to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The US Open 2018 brings over 250 of the tennis world’s biggest stars to New York from Aug. 27 through Sept. 9.
On the court at the US Open 2018, American Sloane Stephens will defend her women’s singles title against an incredible field that once again includes Serena Williams. On the men’s side, defending champion Rafael Nadal is looking at fighting off both of his biggest rivals, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Off the court, this year marks the Grand Slam tournament’s 50th anniversary and the completion of the $600 million renovation that’s transformed about 85% of the grounds. There’s plenty to see, eat and do all throughout the tennis village for the 700,000 fans expected over the course of the tournament.
Here’s what’s new for the US Open 2018
A new main court rises at the Tennis Center
Torn down after the 2016 US Open, the Louis Armstrong Stadium is now a gleaming new addition to the tennis complex. The second largest venue behind Arthur Ashe Stadium also has a retractable roof and room for 14,000 fans. An ingenious system of terra cotta panels keep rain and direct sunlight out, while allowing natural ventilation of the stadium. American Express also has a lavish new suite, and you’ll find the tournament’s largest gift shop here as well.
You’ll want to be at the opening night ceremony
US Open 2018 kicks off with a star-studded night honoring two of tennis’ most famous female players, the 1968 women’s singles finalists Billie Jean King and Virginia Wade, followed by a short concert from Kelly Clarkson. Before the evening’s matches, R&B singer Maxwell will perform the national anthem.
Test your tennis skills in augmented reality
American Express has created the tennis version of Pokemon Go. Super Rally is a “hybrid reality tennis” where you get a tutorial from Venus Williams on using a special racket to hit virtual tennis balls in augmented reality that bounce off physical targets that exist in the real world. Find it inside the US Open American Experience Fan Experience; card members also get access to an member club with exclusive tournament gear.
Sample the tournament’s star-studded food scene
The US Open starpower extends to its food, from big-name chefs to trendy food trucks. New this year, longtime tournament chef David Burke tries his hand at Mexican food with Angry Taco inside the new Louis Armstrong Stadium, Dean & Deluca in the South Plaza food court will be serving up healthier grab-and-go sandwiches like a turkey club made with seaweed, and joining the roster of celebrity chefs with a presence at the tournament is Harlem’s JJ Johnson who’s just opened a new pan-African restaurant in Midtown. You’ll also find a new Cold Brew Bar (with “a variety of flavor options”) in the back of its the Lavazza Café in the Food Village.
The Open gets a rooftop bar
Appropriately named Overlook at the US Open, the Chase Center’s new lounge has an indoor buffet and beer/wine bar, plus a rooftop terrace overlooking both main stadiums. Select tournament subscribers have access, or email usopenhospitality@usta.com to buy passes. Within is the ultra-exclusive 1968 Room (as in, you have courtside seats) with its own menu, cocktails and private roof deck.
Call a historic tennis match
It’s the tournament’s 50th anniversary, with nostalgic exhibits throughout the grounds. One fun activation is a booth called Moments of Glory at Court 13, where you can voice your own play-by-play of historic matches, then share them on social.
The US Open’s official cocktail gets a twist
In case you didn’t know, the US Open has its own cocktail, the Grey Goose Honey Deuce, made with vodka, lemonade and raspberry liqueur, garnished with three honeydew melon balls meant to resemble tennis balls. While the drink hasn’t changed, it does now come in the season’s trendy format: frozen. Find it at the Grandstand bar, served in a commemorative cup for $20.
You’ve got your own tournament concierge
The US Open app has also gotten a total overhaul, with live scores and match feeds, an interactive map of the tournament grounds. Have a question about anything during the tournament? Get them answered by IBM’s Watson, the new virtual concierge available through the US Open 2018 Facebook page.
Players are on the clock
When running a tournament as big and the US Open, the pace of play has to be kept consistent. To that end, the US Open 2018 features a warm-up clock, which gives each player or team 1 minute after they arrive at their chairs to get set up for the match, and 5 minutes to warm up. Violators will have to pay a post-game fine. The Open is also the first Grand Slam tournament to introduce a serve clock in Main Draw matches, which gives players 25 seconds to get the ball moving. Violators will be issued a time penalty by the umpire.
Cheap and free US Open 2018 tickets
Each year, the tournament offers free entry to the grounds and most games on US Open Community Day, which is on Thursday, Sept. 6. But unless you want to see one of the matches at the three main stadiums — Arthur Ashe, Louis Armstrong and the Grandstand — you can get in with a Grounds Admission ticket ($60) during the first eight days of the tournament.
This gets you access to the tennis village and all other courts, plus a section of first come, first seats at the Louis Armstrong and Grandstand courts. If you can’t find any through Ticketmaster (look for Billie Jean King National Tennis Center as the location), a limited number are held daily at the tournament box office, which opens at 9 a.m. On Finals Weekend (Sept. 8-9), Grounds Admission is just $25 with access to the Juniors and Wheelchair championships.
