Where in the world is Amy G?: US Open 2007

Part of the reason for this trip to New York was to go to the US Open in Flushing Meadows. The Billy Jeane King Tennis complex is located next to Shea Stadium in the Queens area of NYC. I got a day and night pass good for Sunday, 02 September 2007. With this particular pass, I can get access to the entire complex, along with reserved seats in the main stadium, Arthur Ashe.

After oversleeping, I got to the complex via subway at 1pm. Already, the place was bustling. There were matches going on all over the place, and I wasn't quite sure where to begin. I figured out that I could get a little ear phone radio thing if I was an American Express card holder (sponsor), which I am, thanks to the swoosh. So I got one, and it was already tuned into the Open broadcast, which was for the US Open attendees, and the TV broadcast. Over the course of the day, I could tune in and figure out how the matches that are being broadcast on tv are going, and the open commentary told me which matches were being played on which courts. There are a total of 15 playing courts, along with Arthur Ashe, Louis Armstrong, and the Grandstand as "show" courts. Its a lot of tennis. But it was a lot of fun.

All day long, I could go from match to match, and stay for a game or two. If I got bored, or heard a better match going on, I could just leave and go to the next court. I made sure to see some types of matches that aren't normally on tv, like the mens and women's doubles, along with some mixed doubles. I went into the various gift shops, where you could buy everything from tennis rackets to a gigantic tennis ball. I was tempted to get the big tennis ball, but it was a pricey $40.

In terms of the big names, I got to see Henin, Venus, Nadal, Moya, Jelena Jankovic, and Ferrer. The matches at Arther Ashe stadium were quick and unexciting. So I just went there to use the facilities and to buy my souvenir cups (one was a beer cup, and the other was a rather nice acryllic cup with a yummy melon martini) =) The nose bleed seats (where I was at), had a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline, but not such a great view of the matches =)

The Manhattan skyline from the nosebleed seats (where I was sitting) at Arthur Ashe stadium

I ended up spending a lot more time at the Grandstand and Louis Armstrong stadiums. They had better matches that went into 3 or 5 sets, and the fans were definitely more into it. Some of the international players definitely had their fans from their home country in the stands. It was a lot of fun. =)

Carlos Moya vs. some german dude in the grandstand court. This was the most fun court to be at because the fans were very rowdy and cheerful =)

I also decided that I liked the mens matches better than the womens. The women seemed to insist that they could not play with fans distracting them...like taking their seats, or coughing, or breathing...it didn't make me like them very much. The men however seemed to encourage the bustle of the fans, and wanted everyone to cheer and yell. It was much more fun =)
If you are ever in New York during the two week long Open event, I highly recommend going. The first week is definitely cheaper, with more matches per buck. The second week is pricier, but perhaps more quality tennis. Anyway, go if you can!