It was just a suggestion by my mentor. Since I had no plans for Labor day, he recommended watching tennis at Flushing Meadows. I’ve never been living in New York while the US open was going on. This year I was lucky enough to be here.
I’m a big fan of Rafael Nadal. And I didn’t think I’d ever watch him in person. I didn’t think I’d watch him this year. At midnight I just logged on the US open site to see the tickets and found them without having to fork over a fortune. They use ticketmaster, which is also used for Broadway shows. The system is computerized and an algorithm decides the price based on the number of tickets available. The Arthur Ashe stadium has about 23000 seats.
So I bought the ticket at 1 in the morning. All day long it was raining. I even wondered if the match would be canceled. However, Arthur Ashe has a retractable roof. So that being said I was off to Flushing Meadows to watch tennis.
Getting There
It’s really an easy subway ride. For me I took the G and then changed to the 7 train. The 7 train takes you right upto Mets-Willets point. Once you get out, the wooden ramp takes you all the way inside to the main Park of Flushing meadows. They send tickets to your phone. At the gate, you have to scan your barcode and enter. As you can see the lines are super long.
Inside the Tennis Arena
The place inside is bustling with people. You have the park with the fountain and the globe. There’s a box office where you can buy tickets. There’s plenty of food and drink. There are screens everywhere for you to follow the scores. You can watch the matches outside. There’s plenty of place for people to sit. Some of the news commentators have booths here. If you want to be featured on TV you gotta stand behind them. The famous globe also has a beautiful fountain. The park housing the globe also connects to the Queen’s Botanical Garden. I was too excited and had no interest in the garden at this point.
Arthur Ashe Stadium
I’d say it helps to be early. There are few lines for food and drink. Nevertheless, you can find your seat in peace and then settle in. Restrooms for each section are right outside the entrance so it’s very convenient. That said, Arthur Ashe stadium is designed so well. In fact, no matter where you sit or how far you are from the center, you can see the players, identify them and see the ball and lines.
Game Time
Nothing rivals being inside the Arthur Ashe stadium and watching the players. Once the announcements were made, you can palpate the exhilaration among the crowd. It’s just fantastic. The players warming up and then from the very first ball, it’s a roller coaster ride. Your heart races and rests with each rally.
Rafael Nadal
The man certainly knows how to put on a show. Looking much leaner, Rafa is fast. Lightning fast. He mixes it up, plays balls that hug the lines and is very focused on each point. The guy is nothing but persistent. I’m not very vocal but I found myself screaming every time he made an impossible shot.
The next morning I’d lost my voice. And for good reason. Rafael Nadal makes every cent spent worth it. In his post match interview, he said, his own body is suffering for what he puts himself through but for the spectators he does it. And I can see why. Having 20,000 people root for you; it’s an indescribable feeling.
Of course, once the tennis match started, I forgot all about the pictures. I took a couple of videos and enjoyed the game. I got a couple of pictures of myself but there was so much to do that I barely had the time.
2019 US OPEN
I had a wonderful time watching tennis at Flushing Meadows. Given the chance, I’d definitely go back again. It’s worth the experience.
The reason I was at the US Open was just to de-stress. It’s been a difficult few months, with little rest. I was close to burning out. I’m still working on edits for In Other Words. My women’s fiction is out there in the trenches. I have to start work on Book 3 for Touchpoint Press. Phew! That’s apart from all the medical writing and volunteering. Taking a day off meant just letting myself breathe and my brain rest. I’m so glad I did! (Did I mention Rafa taking off his shirt after the match?) 😲 Haha!!! 🙃
I’d like to hear from you. I’m so glad the Museum pictures were so well-received. Keep your comments coming! It’s great to hear from readers. Until next time. Ciao!
