The US Open is back at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, and it’s expected to have plenty of action on the court this year. But it also has a few new twists, including a novel mixed-doubles format with a $1 million winner’s prize that’s enticed some of the game’s biggest names to play. Ticket prices for matches played inside Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadiums have soared on the secondary markets as a result.
This year’s tournament begins with three days of first-round matches, and world No. 1 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka takes the court in her first match on Sunday. She faces a challenge from Iga Swiatek, who has pushed her in the finals of WTA 1000 events but not majors.
The second day’s action features another match with big stakes for the winner: No. 2 Novak Djokovic, who won the last of his four Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon, takes on Indonesia’s Tien, who won a college tennis wild-card playoff to earn his place in the main draw for his first Grand Slam. The youngster is a parabolic serve-and-forehand player who thrives on patterns and craft, but Djokovic is a seasoned campaigner at these events.
For a break from the crowds and chaos of the main courts, head over to the Grandstand, where some of the best food from across New York City is offered. The area, which is located next to the main stadiums, can become crowded during the tournament’s first week, but you can always plop down in a plaza south of Arthur Ashe for some respite. A pro tip: Bring a refillable water bottle. Glass bottles are prohibited, but plastic and metal reusable containers with a maximum capacity of 24 ounces are allowed.