Has anyone been to the US Open? I love my tennis and I'm going three times this year (am I lucky or what) and need any information available, ie. how long should I allow before start of play to get from the gate to my seat etc. I will be in the Arthur Ashe stadium twice but may be in the Louis Armstrong stadium on one day.

Is the stadium completely open - any shade or cover at all? I'm going on Saturday night so shade obviously won't be a problem then, but will be there all day Monday and Tuesday. Any suggestions on what to wear - just wore slacks and shirt to the Australian Open, so presume same is suitable. Can it get cold? Do I need to take a cushion to sit on, bearing in mind I have ample padding of my own!

Our cruise starts on the Wednesday and as we're heading for New England, don't want to be mistaken for a lobster!

Lee

Lee,
I was there last year and it was hot!! Take water and sunscreen, plus a hat or visor. Go early and walk around before taking your seat...various tennis vendors are there selling their items. Also, kiosks are scattered around selling US Open Tshirts and hats. I always like to take a shirt back home to wear.

Another thing you might want to consider, buying your lunch from a deli in NYC and taking it with you. I was on a "women's retreat" as in girlfriends met in NYC for tennis and shopping. The more frugal of our group bought their lunch and took it in to the US Open. Others, me included, were too lazy and bought our lunches at the site, more expensive, food was fine.

Also, different entertainment groups perform in the plaza areas. Lots of fun to watch. Although I like viewing the tennis, it's the people watching that I really love.

I'm sure others here have much more experience with the US Open. I hope they post and give you some real "insider" tips.

Have fun!

Have to say, when I was there in the early90's, we froze!!! So you never know. We were high up in the nosebleed seats and wind was whipping around us and I was huddled in my light sweater! But I do envy you. It will be wonderful no matter the weather. Jean

Hi Lee! We're also going to the Open on Tues. Aug 30 for the day session. We're on Louis Armstrong stadium that day in row 16 in section 124 (behind the service line so we can see all of those power serves!!).

- Dress (or is it kit? <img border="0" alt="[hula]" title="" src="graemlins/hula.gif" /> ) will, as the others have said, be weather dependent. Turn on the TV for an update weather report before you decide for the day.

- There is the possibility of some shade on Louis Armstrong (the side closest to Arthur Ashe) in the afternoon. Arthur Ashe is completely open. You can head out of the seats and have some shade along the perimeter. Most of the concessions have a TV so you can see the match in progress if you need a sun or heat break.

- Bring a seat cushion. Visor, water and sunscreen are important if it is hot and sunny. I don't know if they will let you bring water into the stadium or not.

- If I were bringing lunch from the deli, I'd avoid anything with mayonnaise to minimize any possibility of food poisoning.

- The attire is very casual unless you've got the super-premium seats that allow you entry into the specialty restaurants; then I'd wear smart casual dress.

- The size of the grounds are very small. The walk from the gates to the show courts is only about 5 minutes. Arthur Ashe is huge so you may need another 10 minutes to find & get to your seat.

- The lines for security to get in through the gates may be a bit long; for the first few days of the tournament, I'm guessing it won't be too bad if you get there near the opening time (11 am is shown on my tickets).

- I am assuming the play on the show courts will start an hour or so after the grounds open. We like to see some of the play on the outside courts, especially in the first few days of the tournament.

- Are you staying in New York City? It is quite easy to get to the stadium via the number 7 subway line from midtown manhattan. Once you get off the train, it's probably a 1 mile walk to the entrance of the venue

- So glad you will be able to attend the event! I hope we will get to see Phillipoussis (but will settle for Federer or Roddick). Gary and I are hoping to make it down to the Aussie Open in 2007.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers, Anne & Gary

Thanks so much for all your help - what a wonderful amount of information. I'm going to print it out as my little memory bank runs on low these days!

I'm actually going on Tuesday, 6 September as I don't leave here until 31 August. I'll be staying with my son who lives in Jersey City but he's taking me on the Saturday night for a practise run, so that I won't get lost on the Monday. Hopefully it will be simply a matter of following the crowd once I get on the right train.

The food poisoning is a bit off-putting. I think I'd have to be very unlucky but as I'm heading off on the cruise on the Wednesday, I might play it safe and bring something from home (well from Michael's place).

I hope I find someone friendly who is willing to talk to me as me going a whole day without speaking is a bit much for me to imagine - even at the tennis! I don't suppose I'll be so lucky but I'd love to see Lleyton Hewitt play - he'll be the only Aussie likely to be left in by the second week! I'll be surprised if Mark Phillipoussis does well, if he manages to even start. I'll settle for watching Federer though. Saw Nadal at the Aussie Open and he is exciting to watch and I like Andy Roddick too. I just enjoy watching good tennis.

Anne and Gary - hope you enjoy the Aussie Open if you get there. If you need any advice on the seating, we went four times and sat in different areas. It's a fabulous arena and all seats are pretty good - just remember if you can't get shade, try and keep your back to the sun (which is the opposite to you - face south) as it can get extremely hot in January in Melbourne. We booked for shade but on one day had sun for an hour and a half and that was enough for us!

So far, I've decided to wear summer slacks, t-shirt, sneakers and take a wind-cheater, water, sunscreen, sun visor and lunch - reckon that'll work?

Hi Lee,
Anne has given your great advice.
I agree about "holding the mayo". That's why I bought my lunch at the Open instead.

I agree with you, Anne, about watching the play on the outside courts. Sometimes, they're the best ones. Do you like walking around and watching the practice sessions? We saw Federer last year. So much fun to be right up close and see how hard they hit!

The first time I went to the US Open was actually during the qualifying rounds. All the "big" guys and girls were there practicing. Best part about them is they're free (also no concessions, etc.) Pete Sampras was walking out the gate as we were walking in (with very little entourage). Why oh why didn't I jump beside him, ask my then hubby to whip out his camera and take a picture?

Lee, the subway out to the US Open is a piece of cake! And, this is a non-New Yorker speaking.

Anyway have fun and tell us all about it. You, too, Anne!

Donna - I'm with you. Watching the stars practice on the outside courts and seeing some of the up-and-comers thisclose is why we go in person. We got so spoiled when Louis Armstrong was the show court as there isn't a bad seat in that stadium. We'd rather watch the matches on TV than sit up in the top tier at Arthur Ashe. IMHO the USTA screwed up big time when they allocated all the good tickets to the corporate sponsors. I understand it, though, as it was the late 90s and every corporation was willing to take the tickets. Most days those seats are empty. Can't be good for the sport.

Lee - Your wardrobe sounds exactly right. If it's convenient, you can take the PATH train from Jersey City into Penn Station and catch the Long Island RailRoad right to the Shea Stadium/US Open venues (they are very close together).

Have a safe journey here and a great visit with your son. I think you will find lots of keen tennis enthusiasts at the US Open who will be thrilled to talk to someone who has been to the Aussie Open. That's the great dream for the US tennis enthusiasts. If they could get to either Wimbledon or the Aussie Open, they will die happy. If we see Leyton Hewitt, we'll lead the "Aussie-Aussie-Aussie-Oy!Oy!Oy!" cheers in your honor. You should be seeing great matches on the dates you've got tickets.

Let me clarify my earlier comment. We've had no trouble whatsoever with food at the US Open venue (have gone at least four times as we live in the greater NYC area). My comment about the food poisoning was meant to apply to buying lunch in New York City and then carrying it with you to the US Open. Food is pricey within the US Open but no more so than any other sporting event. I would personally not risk taking food from home OR buying it along the way to save a few bucks on the cost of food that's been properly stored at the US Open venue. I once had mayonnaise based food poisoning when I was in college from having brought my own food and not having refrigeration options for a few hours. It wasn't that hot, yet I still learned my lesson!

Lee, I welcome your advice on the Aussie Open. Are you a tennis player, too? I'm not but it is my husband's other great passion in life. Perhaps we can encourage Ngaire's sister June to join all of us in 2007! She's a keen tennis player.

Please send me an e-mail so I can contact you. If you've got time while you're in the area in the next few weeks for a cup of coffee, let us know. Cheers, Anne