Every August, the best tennis players in the world gather in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., for North America’s lone Grand Slam, the US Open. First held in 1881, the US Open is the fourth and final Grand Slam of the season and it features five primary championships: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
Learn more about the 2023 US Open and its iconic home at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center below.
What is the US Open?
The US Open, or US Open Tennis Championships, is a hardcourt tournament for men and women. It is organized by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Initially, it was only open to men and was played at the Newport Casino in Rhode Island. The first U.S. Women’s National Singles Championship was held six years later in 1887 at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.
When the open era began in 1968, the US Open welcomed professional players for the first time at the West Side Tennis Club. A few years later, it became the first Grand Slam to award equal prize money to men and women.
Where is the US Open Played?
Since 1978, the US Open has been played at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens. The facility was renamed in 2006 for American tennis legend and four-time US Open singles champion, Billie Jean King.
The National Tennis Center features 22 courts inside its 46.5 acres and another 11 courts in the adjoining park. Arthur Ashe Stadium is the centerpiece and seats 23,200 spectators for marquee matchups. The two other courts to watch are the 14,000-seat Louis Armstrong Stadium and Grandstand, which seats 8,125.
Transportation to the National Tennis Center
There are several ways to access the USTA National Tennis Center including the 7 train and the Long Island Rail Road which both provide service to Mets-Willets Point Station. There is limited parking available for cars, but due to potential conflicts with scheduling for MLB’s New York Mets, rideshare and public transportation are preferred.
On those “conflict dates,” guests will be directed to Blue Zone Parking and Orange Zone Parking. Usually, Yellow Zone Parking is also available with prices starting around $40 for passenger vehicles.
US Open Tennis Schedule
Qualifying matches begin Aug. 22 for the 2023 US Open. The main draw begins Aug. 28 with the men’s and women’s singles. Men’s and women’s doubles begin on Aug. 30. The tournament will conclude on Sept. 10 with the men’s singles final.
Daily play typically begins at 11 a.m. EST and tennis fans have several options for how to watch the tournament each day. The first is a grounds pass which grants the ticketholder access to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center grounds as well as first-come, first-serve seating in the general admission areas of the Grandstand, Louis Armstrong Stadium and field courts. There are also specific tickets for reserved seats in the Grandstand, Louis Armstrong Stadium or Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The later rounds of the tournament, and especially the championship matches, sell out every year so make sure to plan ahead if you want to see who raises the trophy.
US Open Fan Week
As the tournament begins in late August, guests are invited to participate in the US Open Fan Week which includes entertainment and events for the whole family. The 2023 event will include featured practices, exhibition matches and even a concert from Joe Jonas’ band DNCE. US Open legends like Kim Clijsters, Caroline Wozniacki, James Blake and John McEnroe are scheduled to compete in the exhibition matches. US Open Fan Week runs from Aug. 22 to Aug. 27 and most events are free to the public.
2023 US Open Draw
Defending champions and current world No. 1s Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek are both expected to compete in the 2023 US Open. Alcaraz won three five-set matches to reach the title match which helped him earn the ATP’s top ranking for the first time in his career. He won his sixth singles title of the season against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. Swiatek reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon but won her fourth Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in June.
As tournament hosts, the United States is leading the field with 25 participants qualified by ranking including four players ranked in the top 10. Those are No. 4 Jessica Pegula, No. 7 Coco Gauff, No. 9 Taylor Fritz and No. 10 Frances Tiafoe.
2023 US Open Tickets
No matter who you are cheering for, this championship is guaranteed to be a memorable event in Flushing. Start planning your trip with 2023 US Open tickets from TicketSmarter and make sure to check HotelPlanner for exclusive New York travel deals.
