While checking out the US Open in person is a worthwhile adventure, if you can’t make it out to Flushing to catch Serena Williams playing Estonian second seed Anett Kontaveit in the second round tomorrow, you can take the 7 train (or walk!) to Hudson Yards, where they’re hosting a free outdoor tournament watch party for the next two weeks!
The open air broadcast projects ESPN’s live coverage of the event from a jumbo screen adjacent to the Vessel (itself shaped much like a badminton shuttlecock!) at the shopping center’s Public Square and Gardens, complete with dedicated lounge chair seating for those who want to make a day of it.
The US Open originated in 1881 on the grass courts of the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island. After stints in Philadelphia, South Orange, New Jersey, Staten Island and Chicago, the tournament moved to Queens — first at the West Side Tennis Center in Forest Hills before eventually settling in what would become the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing in 1978.
The schedule of play can be found at the Hudson Yards website as well as below (some match times are TBD, be sure to check the site if there’s a day you plan to watch!). Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis and if you get hungry, be sure to stop by nearby Paradis on the Park for a mid-match sandwich or the current Jameson Whiskey Pop-Up for a cocktail. And while last year’s pop-up tennis extravaganza at Pier 76 hasn’t returned to the neighborhood for the summer, should you want to practice your (nearly) 100 mph serve, there are plenty of West Side courts nearby available to set up a match or two of your own!
- August 29 (2pm – 10pm)
- September 1 (12pm – 7pm)
- September 2 (12pm – 7pm)
- September 3 (5pm – 7pm)
- September 4 (12pm – 7pm)
- September 6 (time TBD)
- September 9 (time TBD)
- September 10 (4pm – 7pm)
- September 11(4pm – 7pm)
As the tennis season’s final Grand Slam tournament, this year’s US Open is drawing extra attention as Serena Williams — one of the most decorated athletes of all time and a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion — attempts to close out her otherworldly career with one more win. Williams will challenge women’s single 80th seed Danka Kovinic of Montenegro this evening at 7pm, in what is sure to be a well-attended match with marked-up ticket prices to accompany the fun. Seems like the best deal in town is to enjoy the open air Open for $Free-99!
FYI…there is nothing on the calendar for tonite or today