As the last Grand Slam event on the tennis calendar, the US Open has a history of dramatic matchups. Here’s what to expect in 2025 – along with expert picks on where to stay, eat and shop.
The US Open Tennis Championships, which follows the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, is the fourth and final Grand Slam event in the tennis calendar. Held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, it is arguably the most important of the four after Wimbledon, with upwards of $75 million on the table and a massive global audience to match. Compared to Wimbledon’s buttoned-up formality and Roland Garros’ fashionable flair, the US Open strikes a more relaxed tone – but still draws A-list names from Taylor Swift to Travis Scott.
The tournament
One of the oldest tennis competitions in the world, the US Open evolved from the US National Championships, first played in 1881. Unlike Wimbledon’s grass or the French Open’s clay, the US Open is played on hard courts coated in the tournament’s signature “US Open Blue.”
As the year’s final Grand Slam, it has hosted countless epic moments — from Steffi Graf’s calendar-year Grand Slam finish in 1988 (the rare achievement of winning all four Grand Slams in a single year) to more recent finals between Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. In 2019, Bianca Andreescu became the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam singles title at the US Open. This year, all eyes are on a likely rematch between defending champ Sinner — who also won the Australian Open and Wimbledon — and French Open winner Alcaraz.
Where to stay
Queens continues to grow as a destination for food and culture, but Manhattan still offers the most luxurious hotel options. Among the most buzzed-about is Nine Orchard, an eclectic yet refined hotel on the Lower East Side. While Nine Orchard puts you among the city’s artists and tastemakers, Aman New York elevates you to the stratosphere — literally and figuratively — with its signature brand of discreet opulence. In addition to a serene, 25,000-square-foot spa and wellness center, it features a Detoxification Programme developed by 2023 US Open champ Novak Djokovic, who may well be spotted on-site this month.
Where to eat & drink
New York City has always been a foodie’s paradise, but (somewhat miraculously) its culinary scene has expanded and diversified even further in recent years, with a plethora of new eateries for every kind of cuisine you could crave (and many you’ve never encountered before). In the latter category, the bright and spicy Khmer dishes at Bong have made it one of the hottest reservations in the city. If you don’t manage to score a table there, head to Penny, a walk-in-only spot in the East Village offering some of NYC’s freshest seafood. For a nightcap, try your luck scoring a stool at Amor y Amargo a small-but-mighty bar that will open your eyes to the world of bitters-based cocktails.
Where to shop
Much like its hotels and restaurants, NYC is home to some of the best shopping on the continent. If you’re after a new suit, take your pick between J.Mueser and the NYC outpost of Hong Kong’s The Armoury. For of-the-moment fashion, take a stroll down Orchard Street in the Lower East Side, and be sure to stop in at Wythe, Colbo and Bode. If your wanderings take you to Brooklyn, multi-brand retailer Ven.Space is a must-visit destination for cutting-edge menswear, and the perfect place to discover your next favourite designer.
With record prize money, star-studded crowds and a potential Sinner-Alcaraz showdown in the works, the 2025 US Open promises high drama on and off the court. Whether you’re in town for the tennis or the atmosphere, New York delivers — from world-class hotels and daring new restaurants to cutting-edge fashion and unforgettable nightlife.
Feature image: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain runs to play a backhand watched by his coach Samuel Lopez as he trains in preparation for the Cincinnati Open and US Open at Real Sociedad Club de Campo Murcia on July 30, 2025 in Murcia, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)