August 11, 2025 • 15 mins
The US Open kicks off next Monday with Fan Week! From Monday, August 18 through Saturday, August 23, the grounds of The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens are entirely free and open to the public with activities for everyone. Our guest is Nicole Kankam, Managing Director, with details on this year’s events and tips for the best experience.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Get Connected with Nina del Rio, a weekly
conversation about fitness, health and happenings in our community on
one oh six point seven Light FM.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Thanks for listening to get connected. It is this season
for the US Open, a huge event in sports, a
signature three week event in New York City. It kicks
off next Monday with Fan Week from Monday August eighteenth
through Saturday August twenty third. The grounds of the USTA
Billy Jean King National Tennis Center in Queen's are entirely
free and open to the public with activities for everyone.
(00:34):
I'm very glad to welcome back USTA's Nicole CanCam for
all the details on what's coming up at this year's
fan Week. Lovely to see you, Nicole. You know you've
got so much ahead of you.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Oh, thank you so much for having me. This is
always a treat to talk to you, and I'm excited
about this year's event.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Usopen dot Org is where you can find out all
the information and sign up for a free access pass.
Fan Week gets bigger every year. You had over two
hundred thousand people last week. You must be thrilled. Why
do you think in the last couple of years, especially
it's growing so big and so quickly.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Well, we have really invested a lot in growing Fan Week,
in ensuring its accessibility, so we want to maintain that
it's free and open to the public so that we
can inspire the next generation of tennis fans. You know,
tennis is having a moment right now also too, just
there's a huge surgeon popularity, so I think that's helped
(01:26):
to contribute to it. But again, we've been really intentional
about how we grow the event, really reaching out to families,
to young audiences to bring them into the fold. And
it's exciting to see the.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Rewards of that as it has become bigger and bigger.
What has that maybe allowed you to do behind the
scenes and what did you want to focus on this year.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Every year we do a lot of research to understand
why people are coming to the event, what really resonates
with fans. Ultimately, the core tennis product is really the
most appealing, So people are coming out to see the
top players practice, to witness the qualifying tournament where you
really will see some amazing tennis and you can see
it up close and personal, creating opportunities for families to
(02:11):
come out and enjoy and experience it. We have a
ten dollars meal deal for families to you know, make
it feel accessible, to enjoy the US Open and to
ensure that everyone that comes on site has an amazing experience.
That's our mantra year after year. So we've been focused
on that and we've seen great results. And again, making
(02:32):
the tennis player practices something that feels really exciting to
see these players as they're getting ready for the tournament
and letting them know who you might see ahead of
time has really helped make the experience great.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
As the crowds have gotten bigger, how do the players?
What do the players say about the crowd? I hope
it gives them some sort of lift.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
It really does. And you know, we've heard a lot
from players saying that New York It's can be the
toughest city, but it's the most exciting, it's the loudest,
it's the most energizing. So I think the players really
feed off of that and to be able to have
them cheering them on as they're practicing. We've just gotten
a great response from the players on that.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
One of the twists for twenty twenty five is that
the US Open Mixed Double Championship is during Fan Week.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Absolutely yes, completely reimagined the Mixed Doubles Championship presented by
Vital Proteins in the past that that championship has taken
place towards the end of the tournament, and now we've
shifted it to Week one of the tournament to really
make place of spotlight on the fact that tennis is
such a unique sport that men and women play on
(03:42):
the same court. We've re energized it. So we have
many of the top players we just announced this week
or last week, the top players at our confirmed, So
you've got everyone from Janick Center and Emma Navarro, Carlos Alcarez, Radikanu.
Really some great names and the stars of the game
(04:03):
are now going to be competing for the official Mixed
Doubtle Mixed Doubles Grand Slam title for a million dollar
prize on the line. It's going to be exciting. That
is one of the few ticketed events. You do have
to pay for a ticket, but the ticket price is
fairly accessible so that again, you know, families can come
out and enjoy and see amazing tennis competing for a
(04:27):
Grand Slam title.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
One of the other ticketed events is actually pretty affordable.
The Stars of the Open that is Thursday, August twenty first.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Absolutely Stars of the Open presented by Chase It's returning.
It's a tennis exhibition to benefit the USTA Foundation, our
charitable arm that helps under resource communities bringing tennis and
education to those communities. It's going to be a great event.
We've got Coco Golf lined up, Juan Martin Del Potro,
Andy Roddick, John McEnroe, Venus Williams on her comeback tour
(04:57):
will be there as well. So it really is a
fun fil night. We've done it now that I think
this is our third year having the event and it's
a really fun event and knowing that the ticket proceeds
are going to a good cause.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Our guest is Nicole CanCam of the USTA. We're talking
about Fan Week events. Most everything's free during the first
week of the US Open starting next Monday the eighteenth,
with the Fan Week including a variety of fun tennis
centric events and activities for the whole family. You can
find out more at Usopen dot org, including how to
get your free fan Access pass. You're listening to get
(05:30):
connected on one O six point seven Light FM on
Nina del Rio. The Fan Access Pass unlocks a lot
of activities like Monday Night. The first night is the
Silent Disco.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Absolutely yes, this is the first time we're trying without
It should be a lot of fun. You know, tennis
is still happening on the grounds of the USTA, so
we want to make sure that we're not playing music
too loud. So Monday night is a perfect night for
Silent Disco. So if you go to Fan Access Pass
right now, you can sign up for the headset that
(06:03):
you'll get on site, be paying three different types of
music with three different DJs that'll be taking place in
the Fountain Plaza right in front of Arthur ash Stadium.
And yeah, Fan Access Pass is really a great ticket.
It's totally free. If you go to usopen dot org
to register, it will get you to Silent Disco. We
also will have a block party on Friday with the
(06:25):
DJ d Nice and opening DJ DJ Beverly Bond, so
that should be a fun night as well. And then
throughout the week, the Fan Access Pass allows you to
unlock other exciting experiences, whether it's getting into ash Stadium
for the ash Stadium experience to see all the top
players practice. They'll be giveaways and we're also planning to
(06:47):
give away for the second year in a row of
free Marvel comic book that's us open theme. That should
be really exciting.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Since you mentioned Arthur Ashkids Day, that is Saturday, August
twenty third, Dude, Tavis show. I know them for like
trick shots, ridiculously crazy trick shots. How are they at tennis?
Speaker 3 (07:07):
You know this will be They've been with us for
a number of years, so I think their tennis game
is getting a little bit better. But no, they're great.
I mean, they're a crowd favorite. When you see the
crowds so exciting, so much that we've moved it into
We've had to move it into Arthur Ash Stadium in
recent years because the crowds are is so amazing. But
they'll be a great put on a great show with
(07:29):
their trick shots, but also with other soccer tennis players,
other tennis players, maybe playing a little soccer tennis, maybe
playing some other fun activities. Arena Sabalanca has been confirmed
to participate, among some other tennis players that'll be there.
We've moved the timing of that show this year so
that'll actually be at eleven am in the morning, so
(07:49):
you should come out. It's totally free. Bring the kids,
it should be a fun morning.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
You mentioned there is a ten dollars kids meal for
Kids' Day, which is kind of fantastically prized. A couple
of options, but can you talk about the food overall
on the website it really does looks spectacular.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Oh well, we jokingly referred to the fact that the
US Open is a food festival surrounded by tennis, but
we've got all the top chefs coming back for an
unbelievable food experience. So yes, during fan we've got that
accessible option. But for sure we've got all the top
chefs that we've had in the past, from Alex Corni
(08:26):
Shelley to Morimoto to chef Kwame, Coca Doc the famous
chicken nuggets that we've had in the past. Those will
be back as well. So the food experience is second
to none, and it's a huge destination for foodies at
the Open.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
You can definitely find out more about that at Usopen
dot org. One thing I'm particularly curious about, maybe because
this is what I do, but Media Day is Friday,
August twenty second, and that you can get in with
the all access past. Tell me about Media.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
Day, absolutely, yes. Fan Access pass is another amazing opportunity
that Fan Access Pass unlocks, and that's the opportunity for
fans to see the players. They're interviewed by media, so
all of the top players are typically there for that day,
that last media opportunity before the singles main draw tournament starts.
(09:15):
But there's a fan facing component so inside Ash fans
can go on there if you've got the fan Access
pass to hear from the players directly, and it's always
a great chance to see this other side of them,
a more personal side for them to really talk about
what it's like as they're preparing for the tournament, what
their expectations are, and how they're feeling as they head
(09:35):
into the chance to win. You know what was recently
announced a record amount of prize money.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Are there any other major tennis tournaments that have a
fan week like experience as anybody picked up the ball?
Speaker 3 (09:48):
Well, you know there the other Grand Slam tournaments have
something similar, you know, Australian Open and Roland Garros. During
the qualifying tournament they'll have fans come on side chicks
on site to experience it, but we're the only ones
where it's completely free to get onto the grounds, and
I can't think of any other sporting event where you
(10:09):
have that kind of unprecedented free access for fans to
really see. And again you come onto the grounds during
fan week, it feels like the US Open. We're fully
up and running. All the experiences, all the brand and
sponsor activations are prepared and ready. You've got the AMX
fan experience, which is a great way for fans to
(10:29):
kind of experience tennis and really get in the game.
So I can't think of any other sporting event that's
quite like it.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Well, thank you and thank you for doing it for
free for us. Just some nuts and bolts details. Gates, open, gates,
closing times.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Yes, so if you go to Usopen dot org and
you'll see all the gate opening times. During fan week,
the gates open at ten am on kids say, it
opens at nine thirty am on Sunday. Actually Sunday is
art of Singles main draw, so that'll be regular gates
start at nine thirty. But yet during fan week, gates
(11:05):
open at ten am and it really goes until the
tennis and everything are closed on Monday night. The silent
Disco is seven to nine, but there may still be
qualifying tennis happening in the evening, and so as long
as fans are there watching the tennis, we're open.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
There's a lot of things going on. There's a lot
of people. What's the seating like and the shade.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
That's always a little bit tricky, right, I mean, we
are an outdoor tournament. We are in you know, the
middle end of August, so it is going to be hot.
You should come prepared to you know, with hat, with sunscreen,
with water to stay hydrated. For sure. If you're inside
ash watching, you know, participating in the ash Stadium experience,
(11:49):
there will you'll see certain size of it. Depending on
the time of day, we'll have a little bit more
shading than others. But you know, I think just come
prepared to be out in the sun and Sparent's an
outdoor tournament, but it's a great time.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
And getting to and from the tennis center, of course,
there's a subway, there's trains, there's car ride shares, yes.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Yep, so we definitely have ride share. Your mass transit
really is the best option. You can take the seven
train all the way out to the Mets Willips Point stop,
but also the Long Island Railroad which comes from Pensation. Yes,
it's a straight shot directly to the Mets stop near
the Tennis center, so that's really your best option. But
(12:29):
for sure, we have ride share available as well, and
you want to again check the website for us open
dot org if you are planning to drive that there
aren't any Mets conflict dates, because that's where you'll see
more traffic around that area if there's a Mets game
happening at the same time. I believe that during fan
week there aren't any Mets games, so you should be okay,
(12:50):
but later on in the tournament there will be some conflicts.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
I know you're going to be entirely busy during the week,
but ay, do you get a chance to enjoy it yourself?
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Oh gosh, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
You know. Well.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
Part of my job though, is to experience it as
a fan so that I have a full grasp on
you know, what's working with fans and what isn't and
what's really resonating. So I try to do a little
bit of that and walk around and experience it. But
you know, there's always some type of fires or something
happening that needs to be put out, but I like to, yes,
(13:26):
be a part of it and enjoy it just like
everyone else.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
There's so much on the website, but just because we
have you for anybody who has the fortunates of listening
any secret tips.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
Yes, well you've said it. Signing up for Fan Access
Pass really is your best opportunity to experience so much. Again,
you have a chance to win a lot of great prizes,
get lots of free things, get that free comic book
that we'll have. You know, this year we're celebrating the
theme of seventy five years of Breaking barriers. So this
(13:57):
is the seventy fifth anniversary about the breaking the color
barrier being the first black player to play at the
US Open, and so we're so proud to celebrate that.
The comic book that I mentioned is actually centered around
out Via Gibson's story tied to the latest Marvel franchise,
Fantastic Four. So it's a really fun story and it's
a great comic book. And you know, come early to
(14:21):
try to get there as early as possible to see
the players practices somewhat beat the crowds. But if you're
able to come in the evenings, We've got some really
great events like the Silent Disco and Blog Party that
you'll just feel the vibe of the US Open, which
is a great time for everyone.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
The US Open starts next Monday. You can find everything
at usopen dot org. Nicole CanCam, thank you for being
to get connected and have a great week.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Thank you so much. It's great talking to you. You
have a good one.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
This has been get connected with Nina del Rio on
one IO six point seven light Fm. The views and
opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views
of the station. If you missed any part of our
show or want to share it, visit our website for
downloads and podcasts at one O six seven lightfm dot com.
Thanks for listening.
Welcome to Get Connected with Nina del Rio, a weekly
conversation about fitness, health and happenings in our community on
one oh six point seven Light FM.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Thanks for listening to get connected. It is this season
for the US Open, a huge event in sports, a
signature three week event in New York City. It kicks
off next Monday with Fan Week from Monday August eighteenth
through Saturday August twenty third. The grounds of the USTA
Billy Jean King National Tennis Center in Queen's are entirely
free and open to the public with activities for everyone.
(00:34):
I'm very glad to welcome back USTA's Nicole CanCam for
all the details on what's coming up at this year's
fan Week. Lovely to see you, Nicole. You know you've
got so much ahead of you.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Oh, thank you so much for having me. This is
always a treat to talk to you, and I'm excited
about this year's event.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Usopen dot Org is where you can find out all
the information and sign up for a free access pass.
Fan Week gets bigger every year. You had over two
hundred thousand people last week. You must be thrilled. Why
do you think in the last couple of years, especially
it's growing so big and so quickly.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Well, we have really invested a lot in growing Fan Week,
in ensuring its accessibility, so we want to maintain that
it's free and open to the public so that we
can inspire the next generation of tennis fans. You know,
tennis is having a moment right now also too, just
there's a huge surgeon popularity, so I think that's helped
(01:26):
to contribute to it. But again, we've been really intentional
about how we grow the event, really reaching out to families,
to young audiences to bring them into the fold. And
it's exciting to see the.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Rewards of that as it has become bigger and bigger.
What has that maybe allowed you to do behind the
scenes and what did you want to focus on this year.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Every year we do a lot of research to understand
why people are coming to the event, what really resonates
with fans. Ultimately, the core tennis product is really the
most appealing, So people are coming out to see the
top players practice, to witness the qualifying tournament where you
really will see some amazing tennis and you can see
it up close and personal, creating opportunities for families to
(02:11):
come out and enjoy and experience it. We have a
ten dollars meal deal for families to you know, make
it feel accessible, to enjoy the US Open and to
ensure that everyone that comes on site has an amazing experience.
That's our mantra year after year. So we've been focused
on that and we've seen great results. And again, making
(02:32):
the tennis player practices something that feels really exciting to
see these players as they're getting ready for the tournament
and letting them know who you might see ahead of
time has really helped make the experience great.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
As the crowds have gotten bigger, how do the players?
What do the players say about the crowd? I hope
it gives them some sort of lift.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
It really does. And you know, we've heard a lot
from players saying that New York It's can be the
toughest city, but it's the most exciting, it's the loudest,
it's the most energizing. So I think the players really
feed off of that and to be able to have
them cheering them on as they're practicing. We've just gotten
a great response from the players on that.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
One of the twists for twenty twenty five is that
the US Open Mixed Double Championship is during Fan Week.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Absolutely yes, completely reimagined the Mixed Doubles Championship presented by
Vital Proteins in the past that that championship has taken
place towards the end of the tournament, and now we've
shifted it to Week one of the tournament to really
make place of spotlight on the fact that tennis is
such a unique sport that men and women play on
(03:42):
the same court. We've re energized it. So we have
many of the top players we just announced this week
or last week, the top players at our confirmed, So
you've got everyone from Janick Center and Emma Navarro, Carlos Alcarez, Radikanu.
Really some great names and the stars of the game
(04:03):
are now going to be competing for the official Mixed
Doubtle Mixed Doubles Grand Slam title for a million dollar
prize on the line. It's going to be exciting. That
is one of the few ticketed events. You do have
to pay for a ticket, but the ticket price is
fairly accessible so that again, you know, families can come
out and enjoy and see amazing tennis competing for a
(04:27):
Grand Slam title.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
One of the other ticketed events is actually pretty affordable.
The Stars of the Open that is Thursday, August twenty first.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Absolutely Stars of the Open presented by Chase It's returning.
It's a tennis exhibition to benefit the USTA Foundation, our
charitable arm that helps under resource communities bringing tennis and
education to those communities. It's going to be a great event.
We've got Coco Golf lined up, Juan Martin Del Potro,
Andy Roddick, John McEnroe, Venus Williams on her comeback tour
(04:57):
will be there as well. So it really is a
fun fil night. We've done it now that I think
this is our third year having the event and it's
a really fun event and knowing that the ticket proceeds
are going to a good cause.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Our guest is Nicole CanCam of the USTA. We're talking
about Fan Week events. Most everything's free during the first
week of the US Open starting next Monday the eighteenth,
with the Fan Week including a variety of fun tennis
centric events and activities for the whole family. You can
find out more at Usopen dot org, including how to
get your free fan Access pass. You're listening to get
(05:30):
connected on one O six point seven Light FM on
Nina del Rio. The Fan Access Pass unlocks a lot
of activities like Monday Night. The first night is the
Silent Disco.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Absolutely yes, this is the first time we're trying without
It should be a lot of fun. You know, tennis
is still happening on the grounds of the USTA, so
we want to make sure that we're not playing music
too loud. So Monday night is a perfect night for
Silent Disco. So if you go to Fan Access Pass
right now, you can sign up for the headset that
(06:03):
you'll get on site, be paying three different types of
music with three different DJs that'll be taking place in
the Fountain Plaza right in front of Arthur ash Stadium.
And yeah, Fan Access Pass is really a great ticket.
It's totally free. If you go to usopen dot org
to register, it will get you to Silent Disco. We
also will have a block party on Friday with the
(06:25):
DJ d Nice and opening DJ DJ Beverly Bond, so
that should be a fun night as well. And then
throughout the week, the Fan Access Pass allows you to
unlock other exciting experiences, whether it's getting into ash Stadium
for the ash Stadium experience to see all the top
players practice. They'll be giveaways and we're also planning to
(06:47):
give away for the second year in a row of
free Marvel comic book that's us open theme. That should
be really exciting.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Since you mentioned Arthur Ashkids Day, that is Saturday, August
twenty third, Dude, Tavis show. I know them for like
trick shots, ridiculously crazy trick shots. How are they at tennis?
Speaker 3 (07:07):
You know this will be They've been with us for
a number of years, so I think their tennis game
is getting a little bit better. But no, they're great.
I mean, they're a crowd favorite. When you see the
crowds so exciting, so much that we've moved it into
We've had to move it into Arthur Ash Stadium in
recent years because the crowds are is so amazing. But
they'll be a great put on a great show with
(07:29):
their trick shots, but also with other soccer tennis players,
other tennis players, maybe playing a little soccer tennis, maybe
playing some other fun activities. Arena Sabalanca has been confirmed
to participate, among some other tennis players that'll be there.
We've moved the timing of that show this year so
that'll actually be at eleven am in the morning, so
(07:49):
you should come out. It's totally free. Bring the kids,
it should be a fun morning.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
You mentioned there is a ten dollars kids meal for
Kids' Day, which is kind of fantastically prized. A couple
of options, but can you talk about the food overall
on the website it really does looks spectacular.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Oh well, we jokingly referred to the fact that the
US Open is a food festival surrounded by tennis, but
we've got all the top chefs coming back for an
unbelievable food experience. So yes, during fan we've got that
accessible option. But for sure we've got all the top
chefs that we've had in the past, from Alex Corni
(08:26):
Shelley to Morimoto to chef Kwame, Coca Doc the famous
chicken nuggets that we've had in the past. Those will
be back as well. So the food experience is second
to none, and it's a huge destination for foodies at
the Open.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
You can definitely find out more about that at Usopen
dot org. One thing I'm particularly curious about, maybe because
this is what I do, but Media Day is Friday,
August twenty second, and that you can get in with
the all access past. Tell me about Media.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
Day, absolutely, yes. Fan Access pass is another amazing opportunity
that Fan Access Pass unlocks, and that's the opportunity for
fans to see the players. They're interviewed by media, so
all of the top players are typically there for that day,
that last media opportunity before the singles main draw tournament starts.
(09:15):
But there's a fan facing component so inside Ash fans
can go on there if you've got the fan Access
pass to hear from the players directly, and it's always
a great chance to see this other side of them,
a more personal side for them to really talk about
what it's like as they're preparing for the tournament, what
their expectations are, and how they're feeling as they head
(09:35):
into the chance to win. You know what was recently
announced a record amount of prize money.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Are there any other major tennis tournaments that have a
fan week like experience as anybody picked up the ball?
Speaker 3 (09:48):
Well, you know there the other Grand Slam tournaments have
something similar, you know, Australian Open and Roland Garros. During
the qualifying tournament they'll have fans come on side chicks
on site to experience it, but we're the only ones
where it's completely free to get onto the grounds, and
I can't think of any other sporting event where you
(10:09):
have that kind of unprecedented free access for fans to
really see. And again you come onto the grounds during
fan week, it feels like the US Open. We're fully
up and running. All the experiences, all the brand and
sponsor activations are prepared and ready. You've got the AMX
fan experience, which is a great way for fans to
(10:29):
kind of experience tennis and really get in the game.
So I can't think of any other sporting event that's
quite like it.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Well, thank you and thank you for doing it for
free for us. Just some nuts and bolts details. Gates, open, gates,
closing times.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Yes, so if you go to Usopen dot org and
you'll see all the gate opening times. During fan week,
the gates open at ten am on kids say, it
opens at nine thirty am on Sunday. Actually Sunday is
art of Singles main draw, so that'll be regular gates
start at nine thirty. But yet during fan week, gates
(11:05):
open at ten am and it really goes until the
tennis and everything are closed on Monday night. The silent
Disco is seven to nine, but there may still be
qualifying tennis happening in the evening, and so as long
as fans are there watching the tennis, we're open.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
There's a lot of things going on. There's a lot
of people. What's the seating like and the shade.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
That's always a little bit tricky, right, I mean, we
are an outdoor tournament. We are in you know, the
middle end of August, so it is going to be hot.
You should come prepared to you know, with hat, with sunscreen,
with water to stay hydrated. For sure. If you're inside
ash watching, you know, participating in the ash Stadium experience,
(11:49):
there will you'll see certain size of it. Depending on
the time of day, we'll have a little bit more
shading than others. But you know, I think just come
prepared to be out in the sun and Sparent's an
outdoor tournament, but it's a great time.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
And getting to and from the tennis center, of course,
there's a subway, there's trains, there's car ride shares, yes.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Yep, so we definitely have ride share. Your mass transit
really is the best option. You can take the seven
train all the way out to the Mets Willips Point stop,
but also the Long Island Railroad which comes from Pensation. Yes,
it's a straight shot directly to the Mets stop near
the Tennis center, so that's really your best option. But
(12:29):
for sure, we have ride share available as well, and
you want to again check the website for us open
dot org if you are planning to drive that there
aren't any Mets conflict dates, because that's where you'll see
more traffic around that area if there's a Mets game
happening at the same time. I believe that during fan
week there aren't any Mets games, so you should be okay,
(12:50):
but later on in the tournament there will be some conflicts.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
I know you're going to be entirely busy during the week,
but ay, do you get a chance to enjoy it yourself?
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Oh gosh, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
You know. Well.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
Part of my job though, is to experience it as
a fan so that I have a full grasp on
you know, what's working with fans and what isn't and
what's really resonating. So I try to do a little
bit of that and walk around and experience it. But
you know, there's always some type of fires or something
happening that needs to be put out, but I like to, yes,
(13:26):
be a part of it and enjoy it just like
everyone else.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
There's so much on the website, but just because we
have you for anybody who has the fortunates of listening
any secret tips.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
Yes, well you've said it. Signing up for Fan Access
Pass really is your best opportunity to experience so much. Again,
you have a chance to win a lot of great prizes,
get lots of free things, get that free comic book
that we'll have. You know, this year we're celebrating the
theme of seventy five years of Breaking barriers. So this
(13:57):
is the seventy fifth anniversary about the breaking the color
barrier being the first black player to play at the
US Open, and so we're so proud to celebrate that.
The comic book that I mentioned is actually centered around
out Via Gibson's story tied to the latest Marvel franchise,
Fantastic Four. So it's a really fun story and it's
a great comic book. And you know, come early to
(14:21):
try to get there as early as possible to see
the players practices somewhat beat the crowds. But if you're
able to come in the evenings, We've got some really
great events like the Silent Disco and Blog Party that
you'll just feel the vibe of the US Open, which
is a great time for everyone.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
The US Open starts next Monday. You can find everything
at usopen dot org. Nicole CanCam, thank you for being
to get connected and have a great week.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Thank you so much. It's great talking to you. You
have a good one.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
This has been get connected with Nina del Rio on
one IO six point seven light Fm. The views and
opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views
of the station. If you missed any part of our
show or want to share it, visit our website for
downloads and podcasts at one O six seven lightfm dot com.
Thanks for listening.
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