US Open Guide

By OPEN Tennis magazine.

Photos by Lottermann & Fuentes, from OPEN Tennis Vol. 2

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As the US Open heads to town, newly expanded to three weeks (Aug. 23–Sept. 13), OPEN Tennis magazine recommends the top ways to experience the city like the pros.

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STAY: 

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Lotte New York Palace: The midtown hotel is often home to players and each year hosts its Palace Invitational exhibition, which has featured the likes of Andre Agassi, Carlos Alcaraz, and Madison Keys. 

‍Nine Orchard: This chic downtown hotel is a respite for players who want to escape the bustle of midtown and instead be in the city’s trendy Dimes Square neighborhood, where they can move around more freely. Last year Reilly Opelka was a guest during the US Open, with more expected this year. 

Hang around Columbus Circle for your best bet to run into players, who still for the most part stay in the Plaza Hotel and Essex House, both of which are officially affiliated with the US Open, providing player transport and services.

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PLAY: 

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Billie Jean King National Tennis Center: The best place to play like the pros. The National Tennis Center, when the US Open isn’t being held there, is, apart from the show courts, a public facility, so it’s possible to play on most of the outer courts the pros play on at the Open. 

‍Central Park Tennis Courts: The crown jewel in New York City’s public park system, these 26 clay and four hard courts have seen surprise appearances by Roger Federer (who practiced there in 2017), but the hard courts are in official circulation as US Open practice courts, so seeing pros train there is a decent bet.

‍Riverside Clay Tennis Association: The actual best clay tennis courts in New York City, these 10 scenic red-clay courts are host to many pre–US Open photo shoots for tennis apparel brands. Book a court and keep your eyes peeled. The courts are also host to weekly LVBL sessions if you want to get on court and make some new friends while in town for the tennis.

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EAT:

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Via Della Pace: This downtown Italian spot is your best bet for rubbing shoulders with Italian players, their entourages, and the Italian press, presided over by owner Giovanni Bartocci, a tennis superfan who is often spotted in Italian players’ boxes at the Open. And the food happens to be excellent. 

‍Kafana: Serving up Serbian mainstays such as lepinja sa kajmakom (a cheesy flatbread), jagnjeća kapama (lamb and spinach stew), and dimljena pastrmka (smoked trout), this East Village spot is the local for many Serbian players. Who knows, you may even bump into Novak Djokovic, who has been known to add Kafana to his New York City itinerary. 

‍Avra: When jonesing for comfort food, “Greek God” Stefanos Tsitsipas has been spotted at Avra, which has two locations in midtown, where many players base themselves (though Tsitsipas has said his real passion while in New York City is walking the streets and, especially, Central Park, without an agenda).

‍Carbone: This red sauce Italian spot is one of the hardest reservations in town to get, so it’s no surprise that the pros pull some strings to get in. Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Frances Tiafoe, Aryna Sabalenka, Rafael Nadal and Taylor Fritz have all made the pilgrimage. 

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OFF COURT: 

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Dave and Adam’s Card World: Can’t get close to the real players? How about copping their likeness? Tennis trading cards abound at Dave and Adam’s, the No. 1 spot for player visits and signings during the Open, so check in periodically for last-minute appearances. 

The Mets: Because Citi Field is just across the tracks from the National Tennis Center, pros often make the short walk to a game. Novak Djokovic made a highly publicized visit to a Mets game last year, but loads of other players have attended recently, including Jessica Pegula and Frances Tiafoe. A perfect day in Queens comprises a day session at the Open and then a night game at Citi Field.  

Little Collins: Since Australians don’t trust American coffee, they tend to gather at this midtown coffee shop. Nick Kyrgios, Ash Barty, Sam Stosur and many more have been spotted there over the years. 

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