The United States hosts several yearly tennis tournaments, but none are bigger or more popular than the US Open. The US Open, the final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year, stands as a grand exhibition that turns the United States into the epicenter of the sport for an entire weekend. With summer well underway, this major tournament is now on the horizon and is sure to bring another thrilling showdown between the world’s top tennis players.
The US Open is played annually in New York City at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. The tournament, originating in 1881, has a rich history spanning over 140 years. The US Open has since become one of the four annual Grand Slam tournaments, the other three being the French Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open. These tournaments each represent a pinnacle of the tennis calendar, featuring the largest prize pools and the utmost prestige.
The US Open brackets include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. The single-elimination tournaments’ brackets are arranged according to ranking and random draws. The men’s and women’s singles brackets feature 128 players, while the doubles bracket features 64 teams of two. Eventually, only one player and one team are left standing, and they will receive the largest shares of the winnings. Last year, a total of $60.1 million was awarded, and the two victorious singles champions each received $2.6 million.
This year, the US Open will run from August 28th to September 10th, serving as the ideal way to cap the summer for tennis enthusiasts. The massive spectacle will bring thousands to the city. Last year’s thrilling tournament attracted more than 888,000 spectators, setting its highest attendance record, and this year could be even bigger.
While the field for the US Open has yet to be fully established, this tournament draws out all the biggest names in the sport. Last year, rising Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz won on the men’s side, and Iga Świątek, the women’s number-one player, claimed her first US Open victory. Other players to watch this year include Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud, and Stefanos Tsitsipas on the men’s side and Jessica Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff on the women’s side.
While tennis is the heart and soul of the tournament, the US Open is also renowned for its exceptional fan experience. The event offers world-class dining with a variety of food and drink options. On the tournament grounds, in addition to plenty of beverage stations, you’ll find a range of restaurants catering to different tastes, from classic stadium concessions serving delicious snacks like chicken wings, sandwiches, and sliders to upscale dining venues, including Eataly, Aces, and Bar Tartine. Beyond food and drink, there will be ample fan activities and shopping opportunities to further enhance the experience.
Tickets for the US Open are available at varying costs, depending on the seating location, the round of the tournament, and the package purchased. Costs range from $110 for single-entry tickets to early-round games to thousands of dollars for courtside hospitality packages that provide exclusive access.
