You need to get your patoots out to the U.S. Open, stat! Pony up the scratch and go. No excuses. You've only got a week or so left to experience the most unique sporting event in the New York area.
Even if you hate tennis more the Democrats hate that President What's His Name?, go to the Open. You won't regret it.
To be clear, we're not claiming the U.S. Open is better than playoff football or Yankees-Red Sox or Islanders-Rangers. Rather, we're claiming it's a one-of-a-kind event that is awesome to check out at least once in your New York area living lifetime.
Let's compare and contrast for a moment:
U.S. Open: You buy one ticket and can go to any match at that session.
Other sports: One ticket, one game.
U.S. Open: You have easy re-admission to the main stadium.
Other sports: Yeah, good luck talking your way past the dude with the security blazer, cattle prod and mustache.
U.S. Open: Chicken fingers and fries . . . and crepes!
Other sports: No crepes!
U.S. Open: A pavilion to walk around and still be able to watch the matches on a big screen.
Other sports: You leave, you better hope the reception on your 13-inch TV in the back of your van is still clear.
U.S. Open: 20,000 people at a New York sporting event staying calm and quiet.
Other sports: Restaurant friend Rob passed on season tickets this season because who sat behind him were two steps beyond pure trash.
U.S. Open: The people cheer for both players.
Other sports: Yeah, just go ahead and try striking out with runners on second and third, two out and your team down by 1.
As for the pricing on materials, sure it's up there. But what sporting event (except for high school football) doesn't cost a few smackeroos?
Yet, $4.50 for a hot dog is totally reasonable. However, $4.75 for a snapple, yeah, not so much.
Once inside Arthur Ashe Stadium for a night match, you've reached the mecca of the U.S. Open. On any night, there's a chance to see an epic match like the the McEnroe-Connors matches of yesteryear or the Agassi-Blake match from last year.
These were amazing tennis matches that had everyone -- non-sports people included -- talking the next day. It's what we've come to expect -- and anticipate -- from the U.S. Open.
Energy fills the stadium at night. The proverbial quiet buzz. Thousands of people sit quietly and respect the game and its players.
They inch closer with each volley and return. Closer and closer, like a pot of water approaching its boiling point, until finally, a player wins the point. The crowd erupts in adulation. The water has been boiled.
As the games and sets go on, the crowd roots for the games and sets to keep going. No one wants a winner declared, at least not until they've been fully entertained with insane rallies, 8-deuce games, overhead lobs, the chasing down of overhead lobs and a crazy hit-the-tape-and-roll-along-the-net shot. It's not unlike the gladiators in the Roman Colosseum, just without the death and violence.
There's nothing quite like the U.S. Open. Now, please, go buy tickets and enjoy the show.