Disappointing photos show what it can actually be like to attend the US Open

Rachel AskinasiSep 2, 2022, 01:34 IST

From long lines to crowded commutes, there are parts of the US Open experience that can be disappointing.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

People come from all over to experience the US Open in New York City.
While it's filled with great tennis, it can also be disappointing, especially if you're footing the bill.

The US Open can be an amazing event to attend, especially if you're going as a suite-level guest. But with expensive ticket prices and sometimes long commutes, there are parts of the experience that might disappoint you if you're the one paying.

A great view of the court at Arthur Ashe stadium from a lower-level suite.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

The US Open can be an amazing event to attend, especially if you're going as a suite-level guest. But with expensive ticket prices and sometimes long commutes, there are parts of the experience that might disappoint you if you're the one paying.

Depending on your timing, getting to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center can be an overcrowded mess.

Fans getting off the subway at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center stop.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

The subway, which is a relatively easy way to get to the grounds, might be packed if you're traveling during peak commuting hours.

Between regular working commuters, US Open spectators, and people going to a baseball game at the same subway stop, the trains could get very crowded.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

And getting home is no different, especially if you're leaving at the end of a session.

Unless you leave in the middle of a big match, you are likely to end up in a sea of spectators who are also trying to get home.Rachel Askinasi/insider

But Ubers and Lyfts can be expensive and the pickup spots are notoriously hard to find and navigate.

The subway from Manhattan cost the author $2.75, and an Uber would have cost at least $88.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

You're probably used to long bathroom lines at events and venues. But at the US Open, there are lines everywhere for everything.

The author had never seen such a long line for the men's bathroom at an event.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

From waiting to get into the grounds ...

The lines for security and ticket scanning were mob-like.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

... to getting into a stadium you have tickets for ...

The author standing among the crowd as they waited to scan their tickets and get into Arthur Ashe stadium.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

... to grabbing a bite to eat, you might spend a lot of time waiting in lines.

Almost every food vendor had a long line in front.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

If you're at the US Open and are responsible for feeding multiple people, you may be disappointed to find that there aren't really affordable food options. Even just a small bag of chips costs $6 and a single scoop of ice cream costs $8.50.

Lines for ice cream were long on this hot summer day, even with high prices.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

If you're at the US Open and are responsible for feeding multiple people, you may be disappointed to find that there aren't really affordable food options. Even just a small bag of chips costs $6 and a single scoop of ice cream costs $8.50.

While there are a few canopies in the Food Village, many of the tables for eating are in the sun. You might want to chow down on something decadently fried or served hot, but you'll probably sweat from both the meat and the weather.

While some people sat at the tables in the sun, many crowded around the few that were under shade.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

While there are a few canopies in the Food Village, many of the tables for eating are in the sun. You might want to chow down on something decadently fried or served hot, but you'll probably sweat from both the meat and the weather.

There aren't many shady areas at all throughout the grounds. Some people hid from the sun under stadium bleachers or on lawns that didn't even have tennis views.

Guests finding a break from the sun on a small patch of grass.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

You'll probably spend a lot of your time navigating the crowds, regardless of what you're doing.

The author always felt like she was walking against traffic.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

And if you want to watch some matches on the smaller courts, you might have to arrive early depending on who is playing as the bleacher seats are small and fill quickly.

Smaller outdoor courts filled up quickly with fans.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

And if you want to watch some matches on the smaller courts, you might have to arrive early depending on who is playing as the bleacher seats are small and fill quickly.

There are some awesome food vendors like Pat LaFrieda and Fuku inside Arthur Ashe stadium. But if you have a ticket anywhere other than on the club or suite levels, you won't be able to access them.

Club-level guests can dine at Pat LaFrieda (right), but upper-deck ticket holders can choose from classic stadium food or pizza (left).Rachel Askinasi/Insider

There are some awesome food vendors like Pat LaFrieda and Fuku inside Arthur Ashe stadium. But if you have a ticket anywhere other than on the club or suite levels, you won't be able to access them.

Even with some disappointments, if you're a tennis lover who appreciates the game, enduring them is probably worth it to catch some great matches and maybe even see your sports heroes in the flesh.

The author watching Serena Williams play on Arthur Ashe court in 2022.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

Even with some disappointments, if you're a tennis lover who appreciates the game, enduring them is probably worth it to catch some great matches and maybe even see your sports heroes in the flesh.

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Disappointing photos show what it can actually be like to attend the US Open

The US Open can be an amazing event to attend, especially if you're going as a suite-level guest. But with expensive ticket prices and sometimes long commutes, there are parts of the experience that might disappoint you if you're the one paying.

Depending on your timing, getting to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center can be an overcrowded mess.

The subway, which is a relatively easy way to get to the grounds, might be packed if you're traveling during peak commuting hours.

And getting home is no different, especially if you're leaving at the end of a session.

But Ubers and Lyfts can be expensive and the pickup spots are notoriously hard to find and navigate.

You're probably used to long bathroom lines at events and venues. But at the US Open, there are lines everywhere for everything.

From waiting to get into the grounds ...

... to getting into a stadium you have tickets for ...

... to grabbing a bite to eat, you might spend a lot of time waiting in lines.

If you're at the US Open and are responsible for feeding multiple people, you may be disappointed to find that there aren't really affordable food options. Even just a small bag of chips costs $6 and a single scoop of ice cream costs $8.50.

While there are a few canopies in the Food Village, many of the tables for eating are in the sun. You might want to chow down on something decadently fried or served hot, but you'll probably sweat from both the meat and the weather.

There aren't many shady areas at all throughout the grounds. Some people hid from the sun under stadium bleachers or on lawns that didn't even have tennis views.

You'll probably spend a lot of your time navigating the crowds, regardless of what you're doing.

And if you want to watch some matches on the smaller courts, you might have to arrive early depending on who is playing as the bleacher seats are small and fill quickly.

There are some awesome food vendors like Pat LaFrieda and Fuku inside Arthur Ashe stadium. But if you have a ticket anywhere other than on the club or suite levels, you won't be able to access them.

Even with some disappointments, if you're a tennis lover who appreciates the game, enduring them is probably worth it to catch some great matches and maybe even see your sports heroes in the flesh.