So You've Been Invited on a Date to the US Open. Now What?
- CAROLINE DIDELOTThe US Open is New York’s dating superbowl, and the chances of being invited on a date to attend are high. So what do you do when this happens but you know nothing about tennis? Here is a list of everything you might be thinking but are too afraid to ask.
How do I find out anything about tennis as quickly as possible?
Here are a few quick facts so you don’t feel crazy watching a fuzzy ball moving back-and-forth while someone shouts a bunch of random numbers.
1. Scoring
The points go 0 (“love”), 15, 30, 40, then “game”
Tied at 40-40 is called "deuce,” meaning someone needs to win by 2 points from there (winning one point is called “Advantage” – need two in a row to win)
Win 6 games = win a "set." Win 2 sets (women) or 3 sets (men) = win the match
2. Vocabulary
Tennis “match” not tennis “game”
Point: from the beginning of play until someone messes up or can’t hit the ball back
Ace: when someone serves the ball and the other player cannot hit it back
Rally: hitting back-and-forth
Break: winning a game when the other person was serving. It's the thing to get loud about
Grounds: this is everything outside of the stadiums or courts (i.e. where the food is, the shops, etc.)
3. How to watch
Watch the crowds carefully and how they’re reacting. They will teach you quickly when to cheer, what is important, and what is not.
There are scoreboards. Find them on the court and make them your friend. That way, you can understand what’s happening without having to listen too intently.
What do I wear?
Ladies, we know this is the first thing on your mind so don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. There are three points to consider when planning your outfit:
1. Don’t just wear something cute. Consider the style of the tournament and most especially the weather.
The US Open occurs from the end of August until mid-September. This means it will still be relatively warm, even if you’re attending a night match.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dressing for the US Open. We’ve seen everything from jeans and a tank top to silk maxi dress with heels. Our best advice is if you’re sitting in a nicer section (i.e. a suite, front row, courtside box) try to dress a little nicer. If you’re higher up, the world is your oyster.
Here are some of our favorite courtside looks to spark inspiration:
Zendaya at Indian Wells in 2024: if you want to wear something cute, and on-theme, but not too costume-y
Paige Lorenze at the Australian Open in 2025: go for a monochromatic look if you want to wear something simple, stay cool, and still look cute
Kendall Jenner at any of these three major tournaments
a classic New York look with this inspiration from Indian Wells
dress it up with her US Open fit from 2022
Find a happy medium with her 2019 Wimbledon vibe
Monica Barbaro’s Wimbledon looks from 2025 and 2026: both options give a dressed up and dressed down vibe. We’d recommend playing with color since we’re not at Wimbledon and white can be risky on a date.
2. Shoes are critical and can make or break the experience.
Getting to the grounds of the US Open requires walking. The grounds themselves are also massive, so don’t let all of the stilettos you’re seeing online fool you. We want you to have a good time and not worry about the blister forming on your heel. That’s why you’ll notice most of the reference images provided have ladies in sneakers, or kitten heels. Make your shoes work for you, not the other way around.
3. What bag should you bring? This is critical.
Similar to other stadiums, the US Open has a bag policy: 12”W x 12”H x 16”L. Your options either meet those dimensions or be forced to get a locker to store your things. Our recommendation is: always check that your bag meets the size requirements before going.
How to get there
Since whomever is inviting you is not likely to call you a car, understand there are two ways to get there. The US Open is in Flushing, Queens, meaning, unless you’re in Long Island City, plan for a long commute to get there.
Our first choice is to take the train. Living in New York, you’ll take your local train to get to the 7 and your last stop will be Mets-Willets Point. From there, you’ll have to walk about 9 minutes through Queens and Flushing Meadows Corona Park before you get to the grounds.
Your second option is to take a car to the entrance of the park and walk from your drop-off point. Our recommended location for Uber is "USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing, NY.” As you get closer they will drop you on Meridian Road near the entrance to the park and you can walk from there.
Just remember, Google Maps is your friend.
What are the different ticket types?
Assuming the person who asked you on this date bought your ticket, it’s important to understand that there are different kinds.
Day sessions vs. night session: your ticket is either for the day (late morning to late afternoon) or the night (typically from 5pm until all the matches have ended).
Grounds pass: gives you access to the “grounds” (i.e. food stalls, shopping, brand activations, smaller general admission courts).
Louis Armstrong (ticketed stadium): gives you an assigned seat on that court and access to the grounds.
Arthur Ashe (ticketed stadium): the main stadium where all of the major players play. You will get an assigned seat and general grounds admission.
How long will you be there and who will you see?
Tennis matches on average last anywhere between 2-4 hours. Women’s matches are shorter than men’s matches at Grand Slams. Based on the type of ticket you have, and the type of person you’re going with, it’s possible to go watch one major match on Arthur Ashe or spend several hours (max 6 hours) watching multiple matches on multiple courts. This mostly depends on who is playing where that day.
It’s always a toss up as to what players you will see. If you have tickets to major courts like Louis Armstrong and Arthur Ashe, expect to see some top 10 players. For a grounds pass, you might want to expand your research to players in the top 20. View the official ATP and WTA rankings to know who those players are.
What to eat while you’re there
The good news is the US Open has a lot of great food. Imagine a food court at the mall, but better. They will have local favorites like Dos Toros tacos or Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, but don’t forget to get a Honey Deuce –– the signature cocktail made with spiked raspberry lemonade, vodka, and a month’s rent.
Want to keep the night going?
If things are going well, but your ticket has expired and the matches are over, here are a few quick hits to consider.
Want to let traffic die down? Stay in Flushing: In Flushing
Max's Noodle Shop is an authentic Taiwanese spot if you’re hungry. They are known for their famous wonton soup.
The Attic is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar that is very cozy and low-key. Good if you want a wind-down vibe without more crowds.
Moon Bar Rooftop is Queens' premier rooftop destination.
Firefly Korean Lounge is open till 2-3am –– good if you want food and drinks alongside a late night out.
Made it back to midtown but more transit on the way home? Stop around Grand Central:
Grand Central Oyster Bar for oysters and a martini. It’s inside Grand Central which means it’s close to the 7 train among others.
The Shakespeare is the nicest English Pub in Midtown, just a couple blocks from Bryant Park/5th Ave stop, and right by Grand Central.
Pebble Bar near Rockefeller Center serves timeless cocktails and is a great midtown bar.
Don Don is one of the best places to eat within walking distance of Bryant Park and close to the 7 train.