The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is the pinnacle of US tennis centers, and is the largest public tennis facility in the world. Come August-September, USTA National Tennis Center hosts the two-week long US Open, the fourth and final event of the annual Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and one of the premier sporting events in the world. Come and enjoy top notch tennis from the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, the Williams sisters, and the rest of the best men and women players from around the globe.
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is located in Flushing, in the New York City borough of Queens. It is located right near other New York landmarks such as Shea Stadium (home to MLB's New York Mets), The Queens Museum of art, The World's Fair Unisphere, and Flushing Meadows Park. Operated by the USTA for the City of New York, the facility opened in 1978 when the USTA moved the US Open from the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, NY. It is, most certainly, a "Tennis Welcome Center."
Although the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is best known as the home of the US Open, a number of other exciting events are held at the facility each year. Tournaments include the Women's College Tennis Invitational (an ITA event), the Jana Hunsaker Memorial Eastern Wheelchair Championships (an ITF event), the USTA National Open Indoor Championships, the "Turn Back the Clock" (wood racquets only) tournament and a host of USTA Eastern sectional tournaments for juniors, adults, and seniors.
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center features 33 outdoor courts, not including Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, or the Grandstand courts and nine indoor courts which are available for year-round use by the public. There are 22 field courts located within the gates of the tennis center, and 11 additional courts built by the USTA at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, which is adjacent to the main entrance and are used as practice courts during the US Open. All 33 courts have used the DecoTurf cushioned acrylic surface since the facility was built in 1978. With rumors of a possible move, a major upgrade and expansion began in 1995. More land was committed to the USTA National Tennis Center, and Arthur Ashe Stadium replaced Louis Armstrong Stadium as the main court. Arthur Ashe Stadium holds more than 22,000 spectators while Louis Armstrong Stadium was downsized from its original maximum capacity of 18,000, and can now hold just 10,000 spectators. Arthur Ashe Stadium is currently the largest tennis-only stadium in the world. On August 28, 2006, the USTA National Tennis Center was rededicated as the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, as tennis greats, such as Martina Navratilova, Venus Williams, Chris Evert, John McEnroe, and Jimmy Connors looked on in attendance. It is the largest and most prestigious sports facility in the world to be named after a woman.
Want to be close to the action? The Grounds Pass, or General Admission, is a relatively cheap way to see a lot of tennis. The Grounds Pass is good for admission to the USTA grounds during the first eight days of the tournament, with access to matches held in the up-close-and-personal field courts, the grandstand, and portions of the Louis Armstrong Stadium. The Grounds Pass, however, does not give admission to Arthur Ashe Stadium. For a hearty tennis fan, that can mean five or more matches. Who plays there? Some of the best players in the game. On the first days of the US Open, with a Grounds Pass, you can see top ranking players play their first round games.
Here are a few tips for you. First of all, when arriving, walk around the crowd, and enter through the South Gate, which is directly in front of the Unisphere. Second, make sure you dress for the weather. Wear a hat, sun screen, sun glasses, and loose clothes. If the weather report says anything about possible thunderstorms, pack an umbrella for those short monsoons (or to keep the sun off should the weather turn tack). Bring water to keep hydrated in the heat. The New York summer can get hot and humid. Third, save money by eating outside the grounds of the US Open. Instead of overpaying for food, get your hand stamped, and step outside the Open for late lunch off a hot dog cart in Flushing Meadows Park for half the price. There are carts available immediately outside the East Gate, or near the Unisphere out the South Gate. You can walk farther into the park toward the soccer fields, and you'll find a couple of Ecuadorian and Peruvian snack carts for even less money. On a hot day, visit The Lemon Ice King of Corona (at 5202 108th St.), a Queens establishment that has been serving some of the world's best Italian ices from its corner counter for generations. The ice and the price are right, and the place has a vibe that works. You can also pack sandwiches and bring them inside the grounds at the Open, but then you'll have to wait in the longer line for bag check.
Driving to the US Open can be a headache. Parking is expensive and far from the Open, and the traffic can drive you crazy, especially when the Mets are in town and playing at the same time. The #7 subway is cheap ($2) and Shea Stadium/Willets Point Station stops a short walk from the US Open. So does the more expensive Long Island Railroad (LIRR), whose Port Washington line stops at the Shea Stadium/Willets Point station. The advantage of the LIRR over the subway is its set schedule, comfier seats, and faster trip from Manhattan's Penn Station. The bus is another option. The 48 bus goes to Willets Point, where it's an easy walk south to the USTA. Alternatively, take the Q23 or Q58 to Corona and 51st Avenues, and walk east into Flushing Meadows Park.
If you decide to drive, use the Grand Central Parkway, take the Shea Stadium Exit, and follow signs to USTA National Tennis Center. Parking is available at Shea Stadium, although it will be difficult to find parking when the Mets play, because the Shea Stadium lot is off limits to tennis fans at those times.
Buy US Open Tennis Tickets here.