The hospitality space at the U.S. Open this year is "moving out of its temporary location on indoor practice courts at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center into a permanent spot that includes 5,000 square feet of outdoor patio space overlooking the grounds and side courts," according to Daniel Kaplan of SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL. The new space for the hospitality center -- called the Overlook -- is "doubling to 26,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 1,000 people per session." Inside the Overlook is "another space called the 1968 Club" that will "act as a VIP section within the venue, with free food and beverages in the area" (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/27 issue).
SITE TO SEE: In N.Y., Michael Kimmelman wrote the new Louis Armstrong Stadium is "state-of-the-art." The 14,000-seat, open-air arena has "shade, great sightlines, loads of concessions, and a huge terrace and bar overlooking the grounds, where fans are expected to do what a surprising number of people seem to go to the Open to do -- just hang out, eat, drink and hope to be seen." It remains to be seen "how well the new Armstrong actually works once the tournament starts." But it "wouldn’t be surprising if it, and its terrace, turn out to be mobbed from morning until the wee hours" now that, like Arthur Ashe Stadium, the new Armstrong "will also host night session matches." The new stadium now "has its own version of Broadway and Off Broadway." Whoever ends up "making headlines on court, don’t bet against Armstrong stealing some of the spotlight this year" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/26). Tennis strategy analyst Craig O'Shannessy tweeted, "I like it a lot! Baseball park kinda feel. Open & airy -- but with a roof if needed" (TWITTER.com, 8/26).
