Tennis fans! With the end of August approaching fast, it’s time to start asking: Can 2010 champion Rafael Nadal hold his title against the surging Novak Djokovic? And on the women’s side, will now-healthy Serena Williams continue her impressive comeback streak?
These are the questions aficionados are already pondering ahead of the 2011 US Open Tennis Championships, which runs this year from August 29 to September 11 at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Flushing Meadows is located in Queens, a district that offers lovely apartment rentals. One of the biggest sporting events in the world, the US Open takes place over two weeks every August and September, marking the transition from summer to fall and drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the eastern edge of Queens.
As the most glamorous large-scale sporting event New York has to offer (sorry, Yankees), the US Open is something that every visitor to New York should see at least once. It is, however, a very large event, and both the sprawling grounds of the Tennis Center and the sheer number of matches taking place can be a little daunting for newcomers. For the benefit of the uninitiated, New York Habitat the following pointers, which may help you orient yourself that much more easily.
For most of the tournament, day matches begin at 11:00 am, while night play gets going at 7:00 pm. Top-seeded matches and the finals all take place at Arthur Ashe Stadium, which, not surprisingly, is by far the priciest venue. If you’re looking for good value, Louis Armstrong Stadium has both reserved seating and also open seating for ground pass or other ticket-holders. Meanwhile, the smaller Grandstand is open to anyone with a grounds pass or other ticket. Finally, during the first week of the Open, field courts all over the grounds are the best opportunity for hard-core fans to get close to the play (especially if they follow the doubles game and/or up-and-coming stars).
No matter which of the above venues you’re headed to, it’s always a good idea to arrive early to get a good seat. If at all possible, avoid bringing a bag, because the security lines for people with bags are endless. Also, unless you’re specifically going to a night match, it’s best to prepare for extreme sun—that means sunblock, sunglasses, and probably a hat as well.
Last but not least: tickets to this year’s US Open, along with directions, hours, et cetera, are available through the Open’s official web site.
Considering a visit to New York to watch some tennis? New York Habitat has rental apartments available in several locations that are convenient to getting to and from all the action:
– This fully furnished alcove studio with one bathroom apartment (NY-10554) sits on the 10th floor of a high-rise building in Midtown East, not far from Grand Central Terminal. The building’s amenities include an elevator, a 24-hour doorman and laundry facility, and a terrace on the 36th floor offering spectacular river-to-river views of the Manhattan skyline.
– Located on Manhattan’s West Side, this furnished one-bedroom apartment (NY-11191) is located on the 19th floor of a 44-story luxury high-rise building and features 180-degree sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. Spacious and well lit, this modern apartment features a sliding door with balcony, 9-ft. ceilings, and large windows and contemporary furnishings throughout.
– Out in the Queens neighborhood of Sunnyside, a very large one-bedroom (NY-7993) is a great affordable space for anyone needing easy access to Manhattan. The nearby number 7 train takes approximately 15 minutes to Grand Central Station—and, going in the other direction, will get you to the US Open just as conveniently. The apartment boasts a double bed in the bedroom, a double futon bed in the living room, and a fully renovated, eat-in kitchen, in addition to a dining table for four people.
Are you a regular at the US Open? If you want to share any tips about getting to and from the Tennis Center in Queens, or how to schedule a day once you’re there, please feel free to do so in the space below.
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