19 Jun GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THE 2013 U.S. OPEN

TAKE NEW YORK CAR SERVICE TO THE BIG TOURNAMENT

The U.S. Open is only two months away, and soon a flurry of activity will be taking place at the courts in Arthur Ashe, Louis Armstrong, and the Grandstand stadiums. The tournament is an important event for all sorts of tennis fans, from the parents of the youngest participants to die-hard tennis lovers. How are you planning to enjoy it? New York car service would be one excellent way to start off your experience. We’ve listed the reasons why, as well as other details about the Open, listed below.

DETAILS

The U.S. Open will take place from August 26 to September 9. Tickets will be released in three stages: the American Express Early On Sale, from June 3 starting at 9 a.m. to June 8 ending on 11:59 p.m. E.T. This sale is exclusive to American Express card members. The social media presale will start on June 9 at 9 a.m. E.T, for people who like the U.S. Open on Facebook. Finally, the general public sale will start on June 10 at 9 a.m. E.T.

TRANSPORTATION

Finding parking around the stadium will be a challenge, and this will be doubly so if there are Mets games. Mass transit may also be difficult, since crowds will flock to take the subway. The best option would be to hire car service to take you to and from the stadium. You won’t have to deal with the uncertainty of finding parking or navigating traffic. Your vehicle can simply pick you up and drop you off, leaving you free to focus on the tournament.

ARRIVAL

Guests will pass through security before entering the stadium. Each may only bring one bag, with dimensions no larger than 12”Wx12”Hx16”L.  Metal and glass bottles or cans, backpacks, alcohol, video cameras, and food are not permitted inside the stadium. (People who must have food  for medical needs, dietary reasons, or infants are an exception.) Guests without bags may pass through special speed lines, which can be great for avoiding the wait associated with getting your bags screened.

DINING OPTIONS

Several restaurants are available on site.  If you want some classic American food, Champions Bar & Grill offers a range of steaks, chops, seafood, and salads. Mojito Restaurant & Bar offers Cuban food in lush setting designed to transport you back to 1950s Havana. If sushi is more your thing, Aces provides a selection of wine and sushi in an elegant atmosphere with contemporary art. For sandwiches and salads, grab a seat at the Patio Café and Bar.

SPECIAL PACKAGES

If you want to make the experience a special one, premium seat packages are available. These include a courtside or loge seat, a reserved table at the stadiums’ indoor hospitality area, and a catered lunch or dinner with bar service.  With pricing starting at $700 per person, the packages cost a pretty penny, but if you’re a tennis lover and you want your U.S. Open trip to be luxurious one, it may be worth the indulgence.

GENERAL TIPS

If rain interferes with the day’s matches during the early rounds, be sure to attend the next day. Why? You may see a pro playing on one of the courts, thanks to the increased number of matches on that day.

Turn your cell phone off once the game starts. Nobody likes to have the game interrupted by the sound of a ringing phone.

If you have an American Express card, there are several perks you can enjoy. One is the free radio that lets you listen to play-by-play commentary during a match. The others include special services from on-site staff, a U.S. Open mobile app, and special rewards for using your credit card at the stadium.

Take sunscreen, to protect you from the sun’s rays. Bring a book or some other form of entertainment to occupy you during changeovers. Also be sure to have a plastic water bottle on you so that you stay hydrated.

Besides scoping out the more professional players, also be sure to check out the lesser-knowns and juniors during the opening weeks. You’ll likely witness some fine tennis playing from the former, and watching the latter you may just see tennis’s next biggest star.

If you’d like to watch the practice courts, Red Star Café has an upper deck where you can get a good view of the action without fighting the crowds swarming the grounds.

Any big event can be overwhelming, but as long as you know the best way to navigate the stadium and how to be prepared, you can enjoy your visit to the fullest. Keep these tips in mind, and your U.S. Open experience will be grand.

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