The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year, kicks off this week at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. For two weeks, the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center becomes the center of the tennis world as some of the sport’s biggest stars and fans descend on the city for the tournament.
This year’s event features the biggest prize money in tournament history. Each singles champion will take home $5 million, a 20 percent increase from last year. The tournament also has an expanded 15-day schedule, allowing players to play more matches and give fans more opportunities to watch their favorite stars in action.
The tournament begins with qualifying matches, which run from Aug. 18 to 23, followed by the main draw from Aug. 24 to Sept. 7. The men’s and women’s finals are on Sept. 6 and 7.
Among the top contenders for this year’s title are 2022 titlist Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Jack Draper and Frances Tiafoe. The New York crowd typically rallies behind any Americans competing in the tournament, and Gauff is one of the nation’s best hopes to end a long Grand Slam drought.
While ticket prices for matches inside Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium are steep, it’s possible to get into the grounds for free during Fan Week, which runs from Aug. 18 through Saturday. Those looking for the most affordable way to attend the event can ride the eastbound No. 7 train to the Mets-Willets Point station, where the US Open’s gates are located.