7 train riders, get ready for the flood of tennis fans.
The U.S. Open is back at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, kicking off Aug. 29 and ending Sept. 11.
The last grand slam tennis tournament of the year comes on the heels of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The sport's heavyweights and up-and-coming players will battle it out on the court for fame, glory and prize money.
Here's a guide to making it through the event game, set, match, whether you're a U.S. Open newbie or a veteran:
How to Buy Tickets
If you don't have tickets yet, you still have some options but expect to shell out some serious cash for popular events. The famous night matches under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium are always in high demand, and semifinals and final matches could also set you back hundreds of dollars.
You can buy individual tickets online here, tickets for multiple days here, and group ticket packages here. You can also call Ticketmaster at 866-673-6849.
How To See Tennis for Free
Admission to the National Tennis Center is free from noon to 6 p.m. on Thurs, Sept. 8, when the U.S.T.A. hosts its second United States Open Community Day.
Fans won't have to pay a cent to catch men’s and women’s doubles, mixed doubles and juniors matches as well as the Champions Invitational, a mini-tournament that pits the very best tennis players against each another. Community Day will also feature a musical performance by DJ RAC and the opportunity for attendees to play with professionals.
Friday, Aug. 26 is also your last chance to watch rising stars and veterans compete for their spot in the U.S. Open during the qualifying tournament, which is free for the public.
How To Get There
Your safest bet is taking the 7 train, either the express or local, to the Mets-Willets Point station. If there's a game scheduled at CitiField, be prepared for some serious crowds.
Alternatively, you can ride the Port Washington line on the Long Island Railroad to its Mets-Willets Point station. The MTA has added extra stops for the duration of the U.S. Open to accommodate tennis fans. A ride from Penn Station is 19 minutes, and tickets for traveling within city limits on the weekends cost $4.25 each way.
Taking an Uber or a cab right to the National Tennis Center is another, more expensive option.
We advise against driving. Parking costs $23 a spot.
What to Eat
There all kinds of restaurants and bars on the U.S. Open grounds, including an American steakhouse and a Spanish-style eatery run by James Beard award-winning chefs.
For those looking to spend less, the food court offers everything from Indian curries to David Chang's fried chicken sandwiches.
If you're willing to travel off site, dim sum and noodles in Flushing's Chinatown are always an excellent idea.
Who's Playing
Players to keep an eye on during the tournament include the top three seeded players in men's tennis: Serbia's Novak Djokovic is seeded first followed by Great Britain's Andy Murray — who won gold in Rio, and Switzerland's Stan Warinka. Perennial favorite and five-time U.S. Open champion Roger Federer will miss the tournament for the first time since 1999.
On the women's side, the top three seeded players are hometown favorite Serena Williams, followed by Germany's Angelique Kerber and Spain's Garbine Muguruza. Williams' sister Venus is currently seeded 6th.
Coming off of victories at the Olympics, women's singles gold medalist Monica Puig should be a strong contender, as well as Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro, a silver medalist in the men's singles.
Everything Else Worth Knowing
Programs and daily draw sheets are available for sale when you walk into the tennis center.
Bad weather won't be an issue if you've got tickets for a match in the main stadium. The new retractable roof over Arthur Ashe will keep you dry.
Don't even think about bringing your selfie stick.
Do, however, bring lots sunscreen.
