By Karen Rubin, editor@news-photos-features.com, news-photos-features.com

I’ve been going to the week of qualifying matches that precedes the official opening of the US Open Tennis event at Flushing Meadow Park in Queens since it was an informal, almost sneak-peek, event, and always with a festive air. Along with the growth and development of the Billie Jean National Tennis Center, it has evolved into a full-fledged festival, now called Fan Week. This year’s was the best ever, and record attendance proves it.

Free to attend, you have amazing freedom to wander around from the practice courts, the Arthur Ashe stadium, Armstrong stadium and the Grandstand (they now post a schedule so you know who, where and when to watch), as well as watching the smashing high-quality qualifying matches. It’s so much fun to simply walk into things and find yourself watching Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka or Carlos Alcaraz (he still had his hair then).

The event is a giant “thank you” by US Tennis Association to the New York community.

It is an opportunity to not only see the pros up close (get photos and autographs on those giant tennis balls), and watch them as they practice, but to see amazing qualifying matches. The weeklong event has evolved into a true festival with a rocking atmosphere And now, there is also entertainment and activities – player appearances, a Block Party, a silent disco, and interactive games – enhancing the festivities.

This year’s US Open Fan Week shattered attendance records, with a total of 239,307 fans in the course of the six days from August 18-23.

One of the crown jewels of this year’s Fan Week was the reimagined 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship. The tournament drew two days of sellout crowds in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday, and an additional 20,000 fans watched mixed doubles for free in Louis Armstrong Stadium on Tuesday. Attendees got to see fan favorites Ben Shelton, Venus Williams, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys and several other top players compete for the $1 million awarded to the eventual champions, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.

Thursday continued with Stars of the Open, featuring Williams, Coco Gauff, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Andy Roddick and other star tennis players a chance to put their tennis skills and their personalities on display, with everyone mic’d up for their entertaining doubles 10-point tiebreaks on the sport’s biggest stage. Two-time World Cup winner Alex Morgan joined the fun as well, and a portion of the ticket proceeds support the USTA Foundation, the national charitable arm of the USTA, which provides tennis and educational programs to under-resourced communities.

Friday night was the second-annual US Open Block Party featuring DJ D-Nice and Beverly Bond, the world-renowned DJ, author, entrepreneur and founder of Black Girls Rock. People gathered to enjoy the music, the vibes and the electrifying energy that permeates the grounds.

The week wrapped us with Saturday’s Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, which drew a record 54,020 fans, breaking last year’s record of 47,875. The  annual celebration of the life and legacy of tennis champion and cultural icon Arthur Ashe drew attendees of all ages to enjoy family-friendly entertainment and activities in the hopes of getting kids excited about tennis. Fans watched a Dude Perfect show in Ashe with Carlos Alcaraz and Tommy Paul, saw top players practice ahead of the US Open Singles Championships, enjoyed musical performances and player appearances on the Fan Week Fountain Plaza Stage, and participated in on-court clinics, interactive games and family activities for all.

The US Open main draw begins on Sunday and runs through Sunday, Sept. 7.

Here are some highlights of our visit on the day of the qualifying finals, where every winner scored a coveted spot in the US Open:

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