Recordings of Tennis Legends Billie Jean King and Patrick McEnroe Promoting Mass Transit to be Played Throughout the Subway and LIRR
Listen to Announcements from Tennis Greats, Including Patrick McEnroe and Billie Jean King
View Video of Today’s News Conference
View Photos of News Conference
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is the best way to get to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for all the action as the US Open is back in Queens. MTA leadership today helped kick off the return of US Open Fan Week for the first time since 2019. US Open Fan Week runs from Tuesday, Aug. 23 to Sunday, Aug. 28. The Authority encourages New Yorkers and the more than 800,000 anticipated attendees to take mass transit to the tournament for both US Open Fan Week and the US Open Main Draw, which takes place Monday, Aug. 29 through Sunday, Sept. 11.
The MTA has teamed up with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and tennis legends to provide recorded audio messages throughout the subway and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) systems. 37-time Grand Slam champion and four-time US Open Women’s Singles champion Billie Jean King, native New Yorker and doubles Grand Slam champion Patrick McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters, James Blake and Bethanie Mattek-Sands will be heard on platforms and in stations for the duration of the tournament.
“Every year, the US Open caps off the summer in New York City. The MTA is proud to play a supporting role in this iconic event,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. From the train, to buses, to the Long Island Rail Road, mass transit is the winning choice to see the best tennis players in the world serve up the action.”
“The Long Island Rail Road is a great way for tennis fans to ace their way to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center,” said LIRR Interim President and Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi. “With direct service to Mets-Willets Point station on the Port Washington Branch, fans can get to the US Open in just 19 minutes from Penn Station.”
“New Yorkers know that riding with the MTA is the fastest and most convenient way to get to the US Open,” said MTA Acting Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “We are excited to carry customers to this iconic New York event, and we encourage tennis fans to take advantage of fare discounts like the OMNY “Lucky 13” fare capping on subways and buses and the $5 CityTicket on the LIRR.”
"We are incredibly excited that today marks the start of US Open Fan Week, which is free and open to the public, giving everyone the opportunity to come out to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and experience all of the excitement of the US Open -- from the US Open Qualifying Tournament, to legends matches, player practices and Arthur Ashe Kids' Day," said Danny Zausner, Chief Operating Oficer, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. "We are pleased to work with the MTA to encourage our guests to take mass transit, which is the easiest way for everyone to come out to the US Open, during US Open Fan Week and throughout the duration of the US Open Main Draw."
Customers have a variety of public transportation options to get to the tournament including New York City Transit subway and buses, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad.
New York City Subways
The Mets-Willets Point station serves the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Fans can always take either the local or the express to reach the Mets-Willets Point station. After the last match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, additional service will be provided at the Mets-Willets Point station throughout the US Open, beginning Aug. 29.
New York City Buses
The Q48 bus stops at 126 St. and Roosevelt Ave., providing convenient access to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Customers can use the real-time bus ridership tracking feature on the MYmta app before boarding.
Access-A-Ride (AAR) Paratransit
AAR customers may make reservations 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by calling AAR at 877-337-2017 or 718-393-4999 and pressing prompt #2, online at https://new.mta.info/accessibility/paratransit, or via the MYmta app.
The AAR Command Center operates 24/7 to assist customers on the day of trip, such as confirming a reservation or ascertaining a vehicle’s estimated time of arrival. Customers should call 877-337-2017 or 718-393-4999 and press prompt #5.
Long Island Rail Road
The LIRR provides direct service to the Mets-Willets Point station via the Port Washington Branch, which is just a 19-minute ride from Penn Station. The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is 17 minutes from Great Neck and 27 minutes from Port Washington. Fans traveling from Long Island on other branches can reach the US Open by changing trains at Woodside, which is a five-minute ride.
Service Information Available
Information about how to get to the tournament is available through the MTA’s many real-time service information sources.
MYmta app – Customers who use the comprehensive MYmta smartphone app will see real-time travel information for all MTA services all in one place.
new.mta.info – The “Service Status” box at new.mta.info is always the definitive source for the latest status for each line.
Live Subway Map – The Live Subway Map shows the real-time position of trains, planned service changes at any given time, highlights accessible stations, and much more.
Email and text message service updates – Customers are urged to sign up to receive alerts, tailored by specific branch and time of day, by visiting mymtaalerts.com.
Twitter – Twitter users can follow @MTA, @NYCTSubway, @NYCTBus, and @LIRR for service updates and customer service support.
WhatsApp – Customers can chat with New York City Transit and LIRR via WhatsApp. Riders can receive customer service support in their native language through the help of Google Translate.
For those who prefer to contact the MTA by telephone, information is available by dialing 511. Connecticut customers should call 877-690-5114. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the MTA at 511.
About the US Open
The USTA has announced that the 2022 US Open will return with no restrictions on fans or players for this year’s tournament, with the Main Draw taking place Monday, Aug. 29 to Sunday, Sept. 11, and US Open Fan Week taking place the week prior, Tuesday, Aug. 23 to Sunday, Aug. 28. The US Open is the year’s final Grand Slam event, and one of the biggest sports and entertainment events in the world, with more than 800,000 attendees expected over the three weeks of the tournament. The 2022 US Open marks the 25th Anniversary of Arthur Ashe Stadium, named after the humanitarian and tennis great.
As part of this year’s US Open, Fan Week will return after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During US Open Fan Week, attendees can experience the sights and sounds of the US Open at no cost. This includes the opportunity to see world-class tennis as players compete in the US Open Qualifying Tournament to secure a spot in the US Open Main Draw. Last year, Emma Raducanu started her journey to the US Open Women’s Singles Champion during the Qualifying Tournament. In addition, tennis enthusiasts will be able to watch the best players in the world, from just steps away, practice in the lead-up to the final Grand Slam event of the year – a fan experience unique to the US Open. A series of other events, activities and events will also take place throughout the week, including Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on Saturday, Aug. 27.