I walked into my first tennis US Open in 2003 assuming that, like every other professional sports activities sport, I’d be sardined shoulder-to-shoulder with screaming followers doing the wave, whereas juggling a crusty scorching canine and soda. Instead, an air of refined classiness lured me throughout the edge on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City’s Flushing Meadows. This wasn’t nearly sitting on the sidelines for one match, there was a wonderland to be found, from immersive actions and refined meals and most impressively, matches on courts throughout me, some so shut that I felt like I’d knock the ball off track if I sneezed.
The American Grand Slam, presently operating by means of September 7, is one of the game’s 4 majors, the highest titles that each tennis professional strives for. The yr begins with the Australian Open in Melbourne in January, then strikes to Roland Garros (additionally known as the French Open) in Paris round Memorial Day, and Wimbledon outdoors of London across the Fourth of July.
While every Grand Slam bears its personal character, all of them exude that magical feeling that is equal components thrilling and overwhelming, particularly to first-timers who might not notice the massiveness of the tournaments’ grounds and choices.
So we turned to the insiders, from professional gamers like No. 4 American Jessica Pegula, International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) Class of 2025 inductee Maria Sharapova, and four-time Grand Slam semifinalist Tommy Haas to founders of journey tennis tour corporations, coaches, concessioners, and extra to supply the unwritten guidelines of attending a Grand Slam.
Go early within the tournaments
All the Grand Slams comply with a bracket-style elimination, which suggests there are extra matches in the beginning, as gamers get despatched dwelling after they lose. Pegula advises attending earlier within the match’s first week. “You get a chance to see a bunch of matches, and usually it’s cheaper and easier,” the World of Hyatt ambassador tells Condé Nast Traveler. She’s even seen her personal associates, who is probably not the largest tennis followers, get to know up-and-coming gamers by catching them early on a small court docket. “Maybe that person does well and then you have a connection to them and follow them,” she says.
Find ticket offers
Like any occasion, ticket costs have soared in recent times. During our search this week, we noticed US Open grounds passes (meaning no entry to the principle stadiums) ranging for $76 to $140 for weekday day classes, however over $400 for a weekend on the resale market. While every Slam’s ticket gross sales operates in a different way, Nicolas Pereira, a former professional who’s an ATP Council committee member and analyst on Tennis Channel, says that resale tickets are particularly costly in New York, suggesting followers solely buy by means of the official site. But he additionally says that at Wimbledon, ticket holders with grounds passes have the prospect to buy returned Show Court seats £10 for No.1 Court and No.2 Court, and £15 for Centre Court. “This is a super cheap way to see the top stars performing on the big show courts, but you may have to queue for sometime to pick these tickets up,” he says.
Plan to be there all day
Haas, who’s now match director for the BNP Paribas Open in Greater Palm Springs’ Indian Wells Tennis Garden, says that in contrast to different sports activities the place it’s all in regards to the one massive sport, fan ought to as a substitute plan to take “advantage of all that your ticket has to offer.” He suggests attending to the venue proper when the gates open, which is normally an hour earlier than matches start, to take a look at the follow courts, meals, buying, and all of the actions. Even in case your ticket is for a stadium seat, Haas says to take time to go to the skin courts, the place matches are additionally being performed. “You can get up really close to such a high level of tennis and it’s an amazing thing to see in person.”
Check the climate and put together for something
While every Grand Slam venue now has at the least one stadium with a retractable roof, a lot of the grounds are uncovered, so that you’re usually going through the weather. “Some tournaments have unpredictable conditions,” says (*18*), ATP participant coach for Saddlebrook Resort’s Touring Pro Program. “I’ve seen days go from almost snowing to scorching heat. Be ready for anything.” He suggests sporting breathable clothes, admitting that, “if it’s hot, you’re going to sweat—a lot!” Almost each one of our consultants emphasizes the significance of hydrating and ceaselessly reapplying sunscreen. Oftentimes there shall be a sponsor making a gift of sunscreen samples, says Claudio Adolfssen, head coach at The Ritz-Carlton Naples Tiburón Mouratoglou Tennis Academy. He prefers to purchase water on web site since some venues have restrictions on massive dimension and contents.
Make use of public transportation
With tens of 1000’s attending every day of the Grand Slam, choosing public transit isn’t simply environment friendly, but in addition can prevent money and time. And Emmy-winning actress Uzo Aduba, who performed within the ITHF’s inaugural Celebrity Pro Classic, says even the subway transforms into a particular expertise throughout matches. “If you’ve never been to the US Open, you must take the 7 Train out there at least once,” she says. “There’s a quiet transfer of energy as it gets closer and closer. Everybody’s excited for one singular reason. It’s like adult Disney World.” The similar spirit continues on the return journey too. “You’re hearing all the conversations and the cacophony of energy just surrounding it,” Aduba says.
Understand the personality of each Grand Slam
Yes, they’re all bracket-style tournaments played over 15 days, except for Wimbledon, which is 14. While the obvious difference is that the UK one is played on grass, French on red clay, and the other two on hard courts, there’s also an unspoken distinct vibe at each. Aduba, who has been to all but Australia calls Wimbledon the first-born, where the formalities include the players all dressing in white. “It would be a mistake to come in your workwear to the All England,” she tells CNT. The Residence star calls Roland Garros “the parent-ified second child” because it’s “quiet fun” as a result of “you can see and feel the work in the sense that the clay is unforgiving—there’s a sort of grit required that translates to the spirit of the French Open.” Her eager analogy ranks the US Open as “the rambunctious middle child” and “Australia is the last born who just does whatever they want.”
Here’s how to dress in your tennis best while staying cool in the late-summer heat.
Dress accordingly
“Smart casual probably sums it up,” Pereira says. For the US Open, he suggests males put on Bermuda shorts and polos or breathable linen button downs in the course of the day, with chinos and quick sleeves shirts at evening, whereas ladies may wish to go for shorts or skirts with short-sleeve blouses for the day, with cozy linen is at all times a winner. No matter what, at all times carry layers for the evening classes: “If a match goes on late into the evening, it can get chilly.”
Determine your objectives for the day
Tennis could be the draw, however there are such a lot of methods to absorb a Grand Slam. “It’s important to reflect and know what you actually want to get out of your experience at the Slam,” says Kyle Ross, who runs Grand Slam Tennis Tours, providing packages to all of the majors. He says to contemplate whether or not you prioritize a nice seat in the principle stadium, or choose to be extra agile and hop across the small courts. Also, would you somewhat see a massive identify “destroy” somebody within the early rounds, or a extra aggressive match-up within the second week? And be trustworthy: are you there for the tennis or for the vibes. There’s nothing mistaken with both, however figuring out your objectives will assist focus when you get there, and keep away from disappointment.
Plot out your schedule, however be able to pivot
Each spherical usually takes two days (or, now, three days for Round 1 for tournaments which are 15 days lengthy), which suggests gamers solely hit the court docket each different day. “It’s important to remember when buying tickets far in advance, it can be hard to predict what day your favorite player will be scheduled,” Adolfssen says. He says schedules usually get launched the evening earlier than, and to verify early and resolve which matches you don’t wish to miss so as to “map out your own perfect schedule and day of watching tennis.”