1000’s of tennis followers packed the USTA Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Heart in Queens on Sunday because the 2026 US Open Tennis Championships formally kicked off with a fan week that gives free entry to the grounds.
The opening day featured the Arthur Ashe Children’ Day, which honors the legend’s legacy by making tennis accessible to younger individuals, with occasions and qualifying matches working all through the week.
“I’m actually trying ahead to this,” Thomas, a younger tennis fan, advised NBC New York. “I began enjoying tennis at 3-years-old and I’ve a variety of ardour and expertise for the sport. So, I hold shifting on tournaments and lots of occasions.”
(Picture: NBC New York)
Juliette Hackett, a tennis fan attending with household, stated the US Open is a practice for them.
“We’re so excited to be right here. The US Open is all the time a enjoyable household occasion,” she stated.
Michael Fiur, Govt Producer of Leisure, stated Children’ Day is a strategy to spotlight Ashe’s affect on the game.
“We’re honoring Arthur Ashe who received the US Open in 1968, the primary and solely Black man to win the US Open.”
Fiur famous that Fan Week is designed to welcome households to the match grounds.
“Immediately and the whole week is free for households to come back out. To be seated inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, youngsters can get on court docket with professionals, youngsters can watch professionals observe.”
Thomas stated the occasion can also be an opportunity to see high gamers up shut.
“Being on the US Open is a chance that I’m grateful to have, particularly after I can see high gamers Like Carlos Alcaraz,” Thomas stated.
Hackett stated the kid-focused occasions assist carry new followers into the game.
“I really like that they do that for the children and put it on and get all of the younger youngsters within the sport,” Hackett stated.
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz acquired a wild card entry — a particular invitation to play collectively within the blended doubles match.
Aryna Sabalenka, one of many high favorites, was preparing for coaching Sunday.
US Open star Aryna Sabalenka met followers on Sunday. (NBC New York)
Francisca Jorge, a Portuguese tennis participant competing within the ladies’s singles qualifying match, stated she was completely satisfied to return.
“It’s nice to be again, it’s my second right here and I’m simply having fun with the expertise,” she stated.
Jorge’s objective is to advance by way of qualifying.
“I hope to go qualify for certain and play my first principal drawing within the grand slam,” Jorge stated.
Event organizers count on 1.2 million individuals to attend this 12 months’s occasions.
Fan week runs by way of Saturday, Aug. 29, and the principle match singles draw formally begins Sunday, Aug. 30.
This story was initially reported for broadcast by NBC New York. AI instruments helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC New York journalist edited the article for publication.
