U.S. Open, the people's Grand Slam, adds an extra Sunday
Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after defeating Rebeka Masarova during the first round of the US Open on Sunday. Credit: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Overheard on Sunday on the grounds of the National Tennis Center:
“A million dollars later and we’re at the U.S. Open!”
That may be a bit of an overstatement.
The first day of match play of this year’s Open had something for everyone. As usual, it was not cheap.
Whether you enjoy a $41.50 lobster BLT or a $32 glass of Moet & Chandon champagne (“you get to keep the cup!” a cheerful server said, pointing to a gold chalice with the brand’s logo), the Open is not for the faint of wallet.
Also as usual, the hefty prices did not stop the grounds and stands from being packed on a lovely, breezy 80-degree day with some clouds but also enough sun for there to be a long line at the free sunscreen stations.
Yes, free.
This year is the first time the Open began on Sunday instead of Monday. The 15-day schedule aligns the tournament with the French and Australian Opens. Wimbledon is still the only Grand Slam that begins on Monday.
The change means the first round and all its delightful side-court matches are being spread over three days instead of two. So even if the only ticket you have is a grounds pass, you could still see plenty of tennis.
With a grounds pass, you don’t get access to Ashe Stadium. Still, grounds passes were being offered for resale online for about $250 on Sunday morning.
“We have grounds passes,” said Gabrielle Olejniczak of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, an Open veteran who attended with first-timer Hannah Fox of Des Moines. “We’re just here for the vibes this year. I wish we could see Emma [Raducanu], those kinds of people. But this year, that’s not happening. But we can see from the outside and hear about it.”
Olejniczak said she paid about $130 for grounds passes by stalking the on-sale date.
“I hate that you really have to jump on them right away when they release them,” she said. “Otherwise, the resellers just snatch them up. I did see some for like 200-something and I’m like, ‘I’m not paying that.’ ”
As they spoke, Olejniczak and Fox had just enjoyed something a grounds pass does give you access to: standing behind the raised ESPN broadcast platform, where tennis legends John McEnroe and Chris Evert were on air live, their backs to the crowd. Between takes, the stars would turn around and interact with the cheering, picture-taking throng.
Bo Senesomxay of Bentonville, Arkansas. and Bryan Valenti of San Francisco were among the group watching the broadcast.
The Open aficionados were aware of and approved of the Sunday start to this year’s tournament because having the first round over three days “makes it more fun,” Senesomxay said. “I was excited that there were three days for the first round because then you don’t miss as many matches.”
Some fans were attending the Open for the first time and were not aware that this was the first year with a Sunday start.
Not that the matches were the only reason they came out.
“Honestly, I think the Honey Deuce is what got us,” said Anthony Kulowski of Manhattan, who was referring to the Open’s signature $23 cocktail (from the Grey Goose website: “As the official drink of the U.S. Open, the GREY GOOSE® Honey Deuce® tennis cocktail is a refreshing take on a raspberry lemonade. The honeydew melon ball garnish perfectly replicates tennis balls and makes you feel like you are in the stands.")
“Seeing everyone post that drink online, I’m like, ‘I’ve got to go try this out,’ ” Kulowski said. “We’ve had one so far. Ready for a second. I’m honestly not too much into tennis but looking to get a little more into it.”
Also for sale: official “Honey Deuce” T-shirts for $48 a pop.
“Costs more than two drinks,” said one fan, who nonetheless made the purchase.
Darren Donovan of Boston is a big tennis fan but had never before attended the Open even though he and his wife, Carrie, used to live in New York. The couple were unaware that this was the first year the tournament started on Sunday.
Not that it made that much of a difference.
“No, because I’m retired,” Darren said. “Every day is Sunday to me.”
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
More tennis
