By Sarah Thurmond

This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, NY.  Whether it’s your first time down or your thirtieth, here’s everything you need to know before you go to the most highly-attended sporting event in the world.

The most popular sessions and the best seats at the U.S. Open go quickly. You can buy tickets at the tennis center, but save yourself the hassle – and likely disappointment – by purchasing them in advance. Get them online through Ticketmaster at usopen.org, or by calling (866) 673-6849. Ticket prices range from $22 to $100, depending on the type of ticket and day of the tournament. Grounds admission passes, which many say gives you the best bang for your buck ($46/$52), are also available during the first eight days of the tournament. (A grounds pass will get you into the Grandstand and Louis Armstrong Stadium, but not Arthur Ashe Stadium.) Also visit the ticket-exchange page at usopen.org. That’s where tournament subscribers unload their unused tickets at face value, and other fans sell their seats through TicketsNow. This company (owned by Ticketmaster) was recently named the official ticket resale partner of the U.S. Open. Another option: Check for available upgrades at the Ticket Upgrade Booth near the East Gate box office. For deal-seekers, $5 grounds passes will be on sale for the men’s final. You can’t go into Ashe, but you can watch the match on the big screen outside.

ATTIRE
KEEP IT CASUAL (BUT NOT TOO CASUAL)

First off, there’s no rule that says you must wear a brand new tennis ensemble. But cutoffs and a Metallica T-shirt might get you a few disgusted looks from the straw-hat crowd. Comfort is key. It’s hot during the day, so stick to light, casual attire and bring a jacket for evening sessions. High heels? They’re fine, as long as you don’t need to race to the practice court where Marat Safin is hitting without his shirt on. And don’t forget your sunscreen.

TRANSPORTATION
GO WITH MASS TRANSIT

Buy a Metrocard ($2 a ride) and catch the No. 7 subway at Grand Central or Times Square to Willets Point-Shea Stadium. Tip: Since the ride can take up to 45 minutes, you’ll want a seat; if you start at Grand Central, get on a train in the opposite direction, toward Times Square, the last stop on the line. Once the doors open there and everyone gets off, you’ll have your pick of seats. Another transit option is the Long Island Railroad. From Penn Station, the fare is $4.25 to $6.00 depending on whether you travel during peak or off-peak hours. For information, go to mta.info.

PARKING
GOOD LUCK WITH THAT

As we said, go with mass transit. If you’re afraid of sliding doors and must drive, keep in mind that the tennis center shares parking with Shea Stadium. Due to construction of the Mets’ new ballpark, space is limited to Lots 1–7, for $15. Also keep in mind that when the Mets play at home during the U.S. Open (Aug. 25 and Sept. 5-7), parking will be even more hectic.

SECURITY
TRAVEL LIGHT

Gates open at 10 A.M. for day sessions and 6 P.M. at night. Get to the tennis center earlier if you want to see the morning matches (which typically start at 11), as security lines get long. You can bring a bag that’s 12” X 12” X 16,” a small amount of food (preferably wrapped in clear plastic), and a plastic bottle of water. Leave behind glass bottles, video cameras, laptops, and tennis racquets. To avoid long lines, enter at the less crowded South Plaza Gate, by the 1964 World’s Fair Unisphere.

MERCHANDISE
KNOW WHAT YOU WANT AHEAD OF TIME

As soon as you’re inside, head to the merchandise booth at the East Plaza. Why? The longer you wait, the more chance the U.S. Open T-shirt in your size will sell out. For fans who want an official ball-boy polo or a cashmere hoodie, bring your credit card and stop by the Polo Ralph Lauren store. Go to usopen.org to see what will be available. Tip: Those giant tennis balls are great for autographs, but they cost $34 on usopen.org and $40 at the Open; tenniswarehouse.com sells them for $25.

FOOD
HAVE SOME WINE WITH YOUR HOT DOG

Gluttony reigns at sporting events, and the U.S. Open is the king of diverse cuisine. The food court offers standards like pizza, French fries, and burgers, alongside fancier fare such as sushi and crepes. And you should know by now that nothing here is cheap. For shorter lines, head to the South Plaza, where you can sip merlot at the wine and cheese kiosk or grab a beer at the Heineken Red Star Café. If you like to be served, try Cuban at Mojito Restaurant and Bar.

ENTERTAINMENT
GO BEYOND THE TENNIS

There’s always more than tennis at the Open. On Saturday, Aug. 23, Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day celebrates its 13th year as a music and tennis festival for families. Tickets start at $10. Artists Demi Lovato, Colby O’Donis, and Menudo will join tennis stars Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Ana Ivanovic and Novak Djokovic on the stadium court. Also, the national anthem duties before the matches in Ashe have been awarded to talented 12 and-under New York City boys and girls. Check usopen.org for updates on event details.

ETIQUETTE
ACT LIKE YOU’VE BEEN THERE

Respect the players and your fellow fans. It’s cute when 12-year-olds ask Ana Ivanovic to marry them. It’s not so cute when grown men do it. You can keep tennis balls that end up in the stands at the Grandstand, Armstrong, and Ashe stadiums, but not the ones at the outside courts. And if you must spout opinions in the crowd, keep them brief and at a whisper.

CAN’T MAKE IT TO FLUSHING?
CHECK OUT DIRECTV

U.S. Open fans at home are at the mercy of TV programmers and their limited ability to cover the grounds. But that’s starting to change. DirecTV subscribers can watch multiple channels of coverage featuring different courts around the grounds at Flushing. It’s almost—almost—like being there.