Amanda Seyfried and Jesse Metcalfe react to play on the court in 2013.Getty Images
"Having grown up playing tennis, the U.S. Open is my favorite event of the year. When I’m somewhere else filming come late August or early September, I truly miss the Open and New York!”
Amanda Seyfried
“Mamma Mia!” actress
Alec Baldwin takes in the action in 2011.Courtesy of the U,S. Tennis Association
"We watch the U.S. Open because the greatest players in tennis are giving their all to compete on the sport’s highest level. It’s a hit TV show for all of those around the world not lucky enough to come to the stadium and get a seat, any seat, and experience, up close, the ‘nowhere-to-hide’ pressures of the singles game or the tennis equivalent of team sports found in a great doubles match. But the U.S. Open is also New York at its most magical and memorable. It’s the power of Ali-Foreman, the grace of American Ballet Theatre, and the drama of the Metropolitan Opera all in one event.”
Alec Baldwin
Actor
Riveted by a match in 2017: Front row: Savannah Guthrie (second from left) with husband, Michael Feldman, Candice Bergen (far right); back row: Peter Hermann, Mariska Hargitay, Debra Messing and her son, Roman Zelman. Getty Images
"The U.S. Open is a great event, and by far the one I look forward to all year long. The venue in Flushing Meadows is beautiful and there is nothing like spending the whole day there, watching the games from various locations, eating good food and being in the sun. It’s a New York crowd, everyone is full of energy and excitement and we don’t hold back. It’s not one of those clap-politely-whisper-kind-of-crowd situations. We get into it and I just love it.”
Savannah Guthrie
“Today” show host
Tony Bennett in 1989 with his future wife, Susan Crow. Getty images
"I have loved playing and watching tennis for over 50 years and going to the U.S. Open in my hometown of Queens, N.Y., is a highlight of the season for me. It was so meaningful to me when the USTA dedicated Louis Armstrong Stadium after one of my musical heroes, and then again when Arthur Ashe, a favorite player and person of mine was honored. And now most recently, Billie Jean King, a longtime friend. The U.S. Open complex has so much meaning to me before I even get to my seat to watch this terrific sport renowned for its incomparable sportsmanship. It was a thrill to have the chance to perform ‘America the Beautiful’ on center court for the Salute to Heroes event in 2002.”
Tony Bennett
Entertainer
Jason Sudeikis and Olivia Wilde take in a first-round match in 2013.getty images
"We’re New Yorkers and I love that we can come here to the U.S. Open and Arthur Ashe. It’s really exciting to come to the U.S. Open in particular, it’s got a great energy around it and the players are always fantastic. It’s just a wonderful place to see tennis.”
Olivia Wilde
“House” actress
Corey Hawkins sings the national anthem before the men's singles final in 2017.Getty Images
"There is so much history here, Ashe Stadium, and just this complex. The Open, every time it comes it’s such a huge cultural event. People come from far and wide just to try to walk the grounds and it will always remain that for New York, it’s a special place.”
Corey Hawkins
“BlacKkKlansman” and “The Walking Dead” actor
Jennifer Capriati, Christie Brinkley, Greg Norman and Greg Norman Jr. in 2008.Getty Images
"It’s sort of the exclamation point on the end of summer. Everybody looks forward to it, everyone wants to go.”
Christie Brinkley
Model
A 2016 Open selfie: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Vanessa Nadal, David Dinkins, Katrina Adams and Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe. Getty Images
"The U.S. Open memories that stick out in my mind right now are the most recent. It was a special moment to see an all-U.S. women’s semifinal round last year, leading into Sloane Stephens’ first major title. And of course, Rafa winning the last major he’d play with Uncle Toni as his coach. The start of a chapter on one side and the end of a chapter on the other. Both really inspiring.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda
“In the Heights” and “Hamilton” composer, playwright and actor
Vanessa Williams (center) with daughter Sasha Fox and Manolo Santana.getty images
"Singing the national anthem on opening night of the U.S. Open a cappella was pretty thrilling! The applause was lovely but the real treat was watching the phenomenal Serena Williams crush it again as usual while I sipped my U.S. Open speciality cocktail from the President’s Box. As a fan you never know what’s going to happen. Watching a surprise Rafa upset to Lucas Pouille [in 2016] while sitting next to the Spain’s legendary Manolo Santana was astounding. But the excitement is always worth it.”
Vanessa Williams
Actress and entertainer
Billie Jean King and actress Emma Stone in the crowd in 2017.Getty Images
"One of the best things about the U.S. Open is it is played in a public park and every time I walk into the National Tennis Center I feel proud to be a product of our public park system.”
Billie Jean King
Tennis legend and four-time U.S. Open singles champion
Mehmet Oz, Gayle King and her daughter Kirby Bumpus in 2016.Getty Images
"I LOVE the THWACK, you know the sound, when the ball and the racket connect perfectly! The U.S. Open is never predictable. Every year I find myself cheering for someone new and gasping when a favorite [unexpectedly] falls. But the best is the pure magic that happens when Serena and Venus square off! I was there in 2015, watching them bring out the best in each other that night … and a bonus gift, seeing Billie Jean King watching the action at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center. THAT only happens at the U.S. Open!”
Gayle King
“CBS This Morning” co-anchor
