As Labor Day looms over us, be sure to wear your white slacks and tennis skirt before it becomes taboo. Head to the perfect event to sport your fashionable whites and watch some of the greatest athletes of our time create history. Head to the last grand slam event of the year – sans feeling the 90s heat that New York is currently experiencing – by getting to Arthur Ashe Stadium in the comfort of air conditioning and plushy seats. Are you excited for the US Open this year? Here are some reasons why you should be:
Hamilton star Odom Jr. and Phil Collins to Perform on Opening Night
Odom Jr., a Tony Award and Grammy Award winner and New York Native, will head to Queens for the Opening Night Ceremony on Monday, August 29, to perform both a duet with pop-rock icon Phil Collins in Arthur Ashe Stadium as well as the national anthem with the FDNY Color Guard and the NYPD Honor Guard. For Collins, this will be the seven-time Grammy award-winners’ first major public performance in six years. Collins, who is best known for performing with his band Genesis, will also be debuting a single from his upcoming album, “The Singles,” which will be released in October along with the publication of his autobiography, “Not Dead Yet.” The performance will be televised live on ESPN2.
Serena Williams Tennis
Watch Serena Williams Chase History
A win at the US Open would leave Serena Williams with seven US open singles titles, just shy of Margaret Court’s all-time record of eight titles. This win for Williams would also mean that she’s also won seven titles at two different major tournaments, a feat that would further set Williams apart from her peers. If Williams reaches the quarterfinals, she’ll also be breaking Roger Federer’s record for the most Grand Slam wins of all time. This is particularly important in lieu of Williams’s recent remarks, when a reporter asked Williams about her being the great female athlete of all time, Ms. Williams responded, “I prefer the word, ‘one of the greatest athletes of all time.’” Indeed, she has already cemented her status as one of the greats, but winning the US Open once more will certainly reinforce that notion further.
Introducing the New Arthur Ashe Stadium
After more than 18 months of construction, the US Open has finally been redesigned and refurbished for a 2016 debut. A retractable roof will hover over the Arthur Ashe Stadium and be fully operational for this year’s US Open. The new design features more than 6,500 tons of steel and contains a 62,500 square feet opening, and 2 million-pound retractable panels that close in under seven minutes. The retractable roof is the largest of any tennis stadium in the world. The new sunken court, which is surrounded by 8,125 seats, will also create an intimate viewing experience of the new Grandstand. There have also been seats added to the new southern field courts, adding 2,099 new seats to that portion of the facility. The stadium also boasts new amenities such as expanded retail and food concessions, including a brand new Oyster bar, which will serve oysters, lobster rolls, and shrimp cocktails.
Juan Martin del Potro
Argentina’s Wild Card Juan Martín del Potro
The 2009 US Open champion and Rio Olympics silver medalist Juan Martín del Potro will headline the list of men’s players who have received a wild card to compete in the 2016 US Open. Though Andy Murray ultimately took home the gold medal in this year’s Olympics finals match, del Potro proved to be a tough competitor – shocking and beating world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the first round of the Olympics this year, albeit some sporadic wrist injuries throughout del Potro’s career. All eyes will be on this 6-foot-6 silver medalist, who is playing outstanding tennis – as proven by him withstanding grueling sets against Murray – and could draw any one of the 32 seeded players in the first round. Prior to being derailed by wrist injuries, del Potro is perhaps best remembered for his 2009 US Open win, where he upset Roger Federer. There’s no doubt that del Potro will create more waves at the final major of the year.
Have you printed your tickets for the opener yet? Get them before they sell out and book your ride to Arthur Ashe Stadium so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of parking and walking from the farthest lot.
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