By Joe Anuta
The US Open will take to the courts at Flushing Meadows Corona Park next week, when Queens plays host to the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world.
Hundreds of thousands will flock to Flushing Meadows Corona Park beginning Monday to watch the world’s best tennis players battle it out, since last year’s Open was attended by more than 700,000 people, with over 85 million watching it on television.
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are the top men’s seeds for the tournament this year.
Djokovic is ranked first in the world, Nadal won the tournament last year and Federer has won five times, according to the US Tennis Association.
In the women’s field, Caroline Wozniacki leads the fray going into the tournament, after she finished second last year. She is followed by Vera Zvonareva and Maria Sharapova, according to the USTA.
Winners in both the men’s and women’s categories will rake in $1.8 million in prize money.
The association has touted a slew of new additions this year, including a new show court that can seat around 2,500 people.
The USTA also is introducing an improved Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, which pleased Community Board 6 District Manager Frank Gulluscio.
“It’s a phenomenal thing they put together to give the youth exposure to this tremendous sport that they wouldn’t necessarily see,” he said.
The kids’ day will take place Saturday and feature tennis instruction, games, live music and visits from tennis pros, Hollywood stars, New York Knick Carmelo Anthony and pop star Cody Simpson.
A free week of qualifying rounds began Aug. 22 in advance of the actual tournament, which will run from Aug. 29 to Sept. 11.
At the culmination of the event, musician and actress Queens Latifah will host a tribute concert commemorating the victims of the 9/11 tragedy.
This year will also mark the sixth-annual wheelchair tennis tournament, which will take place from Sept. 8-11.
Tennis fans who want to keep up with the latest stats will also have the added advantage of social media this year, according to the USTA.
It will be sending out updates via Facebook and Twitter and post videos on YouTube.
Tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com.
Anyone wanting to reach the match can take either the No. 7 train or the Long Island Rail Road to the Mets-Willets Point station. Driving directions and more detailed information about the week’s events can be found at the USTA’s website 2011.usopen.org.
Reach reporter Joe Anuta by e-mail at januta@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
