The U.S. Open season is my favorite time of the year. There is something so magical about it, and I’ve felt this way since I went for the first time at six years old. From the unbelievable level of play to the beautiful grounds and the high-end fashion, this is far more than just a tennis tournament, but a full-on experience. After reporting courtside for WFUV Sports every day, I feel confident that I’ve crafted the perfect guide to acing your day at the Open!
I would recommend buying a grounds pass for the tournament’s first few days. The pass grants you access to all of the shops, restaurants and pop-ups, along with admission to Louis Armstrong and Grandstand. Not only is this early pass much cheaper, but it also guarantees seeing all of the players since only a few have been eliminated. There are constant matches on every court, the top players practice just a few feet away from you and the stores are full of the best merchandise.
Serving a perfect look is certainly a necessity. Unlike many other sports, tennis is fashion-centric. The game itself is so elegant that style, of course, comes with it. In particular, the two 2024 men’s finalists, Jannik Sinner (No. 1) and Taylor Fritz (No. 7), are both prominent figures in the sports and fashion worlds. Fritz is the Global Ambassador for Hugo Boss where he styles new collections, both on and off the court. Sinner is the Global Ambassador for Gucci and made fashion history as the first professional tennis player to carry a custom designer duffle bag for his rackets.
Being in New York City, the best dressed are able to craft hybrid outfits that are effortlessly chic and sporty, with elements of street style. Generally, most women wore mini-skirts and polos with a sweater draped over the shoulders. Some skirt fabrics included denim, cotton, linen and even leather to dress looks up or down. A trendy denim slit skirt with a linen top and a cashmere sweater was one of my favorite combinations. I was especially surprised to see the popularity of baseball caps. Whether to protect yourself from the searing hot sun or simply to accessorize, purchasing a U.S. Open hat is a must. The tournament prepared to sell over 200,000 hats over the course of just two weeks. On that note, I definitely suggest checking out the wide selection in the U.S. Open Shop and Ralph Lauren store under Louis Armstrong.
Crossbody bags or small handbags are ideal. Stadium seats are tight, and there’s a lot of walking throughout the day, so having a bag that is easy to carry is crucial. I especially admired Kendall Jenner’s look at the men’s final. She wore “a tweed skirt suit featuring a short-sleeve jacket and matching miniskirt by Alaïa. She accessorized with… a black top handle purse from The Row, completing her look with Chimi sunglasses and black ballet flats.” Like Jenner, I would recommend either ballet flats or fashion sneakers. A few popular shoe brands this year included Vejas, Golden Goose, New Balances, Stan Smiths and, of course, Adidas Sambas. Despite all of these trends, my biggest piece of advice is to wear something you feel confident in because wearing what you feel best is always an ace.
When you start to crave a tennis treat, I suggest stopping by one of the many food venues and carts scattered throughout the grounds. Some of my favorites include Casa De Masa, Poke Yachty, Lavazza Cafe and Grand Slam Grill. If you are looking for formal, sit-down dining, you must try Champions Grill or Aces. Both are on the suite level of Arthur Ashe Stadium and require reservations. Aces serves “local and seasonal seafood creations by Michelin Star Chef Ed Brown [and] sushi prepared by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto.” Champions Grill “features premium steaks, hearty salads and fresh seafood prepared by Benjamin Steakhouse, consistently rated one of New York City’s best.” Finally, you must stop by Van Leeuwen Ice Cream for dessert and try the U.S. Open signature flavor, Match Point Mint Chip.
When you’re enjoying the matches in Louis Armstrong and Grandstand, keep your eye out for celebrities and influencers! Ring lights and G7Xs are everywhere. A few I encountered were Paige Lorenze, Ashtin Earle, Morgan Riddle, Hannah Meloche and Sydney Gordon! For the finals, however, it was next level. To my left was Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce and Jenner, and to my right was Anna Wintour, John Hamm and Lindsay Lohan.
I hope, more than anything, that everyone gets the opportunity to one day experience this amazing event! I am so honored to share about my experience and I extend a sincere thank you to WFUV Sports for granting me the opportunity to report this year.
For more information about all things U.S. Open, follow their Instagram @USOpen.
