[mj_mj88]

Hey everyone,

I will be going to the US Open for the first time this year. I was wondering, is there a way to find out when certain players will be practicing, and what practice court they will be on?

I always see posts from people who got to watch their favorite players practice, with pictures included and everything... and I always wonder how these people knew when and where to be....

I'm a huge Federer fan and I don't think I will be able to get into the stadium to see him play a match, but watching him practice would be awesome.

any help would be great... Thanks

[basil333]

Watching players practice is a luck of the draw thing

As soon as you get to Flushing Meadow locate the practice courts and familiarise yourself how to get to them easily... then you will spend most of your time there walking round and round the practice courts waiting to see your player practice. Usually practice sessions last 1 hour, and the players often sit and watch the courts waiting to go on, so you will soon realise who will be taking over the courts. There will not be a handy list of who is practicing where, as this is private info for the players,

Players usually practice twice a day. Roger often practices on an "accessible" court and is often seen signing autographs after his session. You will have to work hard to see him and get his autograph - if that is what you would like to do - but it is definitely not impossible.

Have a great time!

[mj_mj88]

thanks basil....i guess we will just cross our fingers and hope for good luck.

does roger practice every day at the Open? I mean... are you more likely to catch him practicing and a day that he has a match.... or on an off day?

yes we hope to see him and take pictures!

Originally Posted by basil333

Watching players practice is a luck of the draw thing

As soon as you get to Flushing Meadow locate the practice courts and familiarise yourself how to get to them easily... then you will spend most of your time there walking round and round the practice courts waiting to see your player practice. Usually practice sessions last 1 hour, and the players often sit and watch the courts waiting to go on, so you will soon realise who will be taking over the courts. There will not be a handy list of who is practicing where, as this is private info for the players,

Players usually practice twice a day. Roger often practices on an "accessible" court and is often seen signing autographs after his session. You will have to work hard to see him and get his autograph - if that is what you would like to do - but it is definitely not impossible.

Have a great time!

[basil333]

Originally Posted by mj_mj88

thanks basil....i guess we will just cross our fingers and hope for good luck.

does roger practice every day at the Open? I mean... are you more likely to catch him practicing and a day that he has a match.... or on an off day?

yes we hope to see him and take pictures!

I cant speak for the US Open, only been once back in 2001 before all the tight security features were in place, but I have been to many other tournaments, Roger usually practices every day regardless of a match day or not. If you get the feeling he is going to come onto a court near you, stay there!

I took my neice to Roland Garros this year, Dominik Hirbaty was on his own "looking lost!" on a practice court next to a court Nicolas Lapentti was playing on, we were sitting at the back of the Match court - but more or less next to Dominik's bag - there was a fence between us and the bag (hope this makes sense!) and 20 minutes later Roger walked onto the court Dominik was on. Long story short - 1 hour later my neice got a signed photograph as she was in the most perfect place ever - but 40,000 people had crowded round this court too - she also managed to wish him luck and he was very sweet with her. GOOD LUCK and happy Roger hunting!

[mj_mj88]

great, thanks!

if he practices every day, that makes me feel like at least we have a chance.

i will let you know how it goes....if i get any pictures, i will post them

anyone else who had advice tracking down players... please let me know

Originally Posted by basil333

I cant speak for the US Open, only been once back in 2001 before all the tight security features were in place, but I have been to many other tournaments, Roger usually practices every day regardless of a match day or not. If you get the feeling he is going to come onto a court near you, stay there!

I took my neice to Roland Garros this year, Dominik Hirbaty was on his own "looking lost!" on a practice court next to a court Nicolas Lapentti was playing on, we were sitting at the back of the Match court - but more or less next to Dominik's bag - there was a fence between us and the bag (hope this makes sense!) and 20 minutes later Roger walked onto the court Dominik was on. Long story short - 1 hour later my neice got a signed photograph as she was in the most perfect place ever - but 40,000 people had crowded round this court too - she also managed to wish him luck and he was very sweet with her. GOOD LUCK and happy Roger hunting!

[di-10S]

well he practiced at 9am today. and i don't think he's a morning person so it was unusual (and before the gates open btw)
if they have a nite match they will practice on back courts during the morning and then warm up maybe 1/2 hour before match

i was stalking today and saw Agassi, Safin, Haas, Gasquet, Sharapova, Henman, Ginepri

[Fee]

From my esperience last year, I am going to guess that Roger will always practice on the 4 courts closest to Ashe stadium. Last year those courts were mostly blocked by bushes, trees, and fence covers. There is one practice court that has bleachers and is much more open that Andy practiced on once and there was nearly a stampede when he came off the court.

Most players will have a warm up hit anywhere from 1 - 3 hours before their match (depends on the player and the time of the match) so that might give you an idea of what time to head over to the practice courts to look for him. I would not go out to the back courts looking for Fed, I doubt he will ever be there. If you are going on the first day, be prepared to be a part of a very large, poorly managed crowd.

Wear plenty of sunscreen and comfortable shoes, and let us know out it works out for you.

[mj_mj88]

wow, so you can't even see those 4 practice courts? because of fence covers and trees? that sucks....

I dont plan on going the first day....i am going on Thursday (Aug 31).... so hopefully it won't be too crazy that day....i am hoping roger has a match that day!

thanks Fee for your advice. it is good to know that he practiced last year at the courts closest to Ashe Stadium

Originally Posted by Fee

From my esperience last year, I am going to guess that Roger will always practice on the 4 courts closest to Ashe stadium. Last year those courts were mostly blocked by bushes, trees, and fence covers. There is one practice court that has bleachers and is much more open that Andy practiced on once and there was nearly a stampede when he came off the court.

Most players will have a warm up hit anywhere from 1 - 3 hours before their match (depends on the player and the time of the match) so that might give you an idea of what time to head over to the practice courts to look for him. I would not go out to the back courts looking for Fed, I doubt he will ever be there. If you are going on the first day, be prepared to be a part of a very large, poorly managed crowd.

Wear plenty of sunscreen and comfortable shoes, and let us know out it works out for you.

[mj_mj88]

di,

how do u know he practiced at 9am? do u work there? or maybe were u there watching the qualifiers? (i'm not even positive if they are playing the qualifiers right now... sorry if i'm wrong)

i think the gates open for the US Open grounds at 10AM right? we plan on getting there early... hopefully some players will still be around practicing.

it would be cool to see agassi too!

Originally Posted by di-10S

well he practiced at 9am today. and i don't think he's a morning person so it was unusual (and before the gates open btw)
if they have a nite match they will practice on back courts during the morning and then warm up maybe 1/2 hour before match

i was stalking today and saw Agassi, Safin, Haas, Gasquet, Sharapova, Henman, Ginepri

[di-10S]

gates open at 10
yes there's qualifying going on
ask the guys in yellow security shirts or anyone w/clipboard- they know who has been/is going to practice

[mj_mj88]

thanks, i'll remember that

Originally Posted by di-10S

gates open at 10
yes there's qualifying going on
ask the guys in yellow security shirts or anyone w/clipboard- they know who has been/is going to practice