New stands let US Open fans see stars practice

In a new feature this year, the first stage of a planned renovation to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, elevated stands loom over five practice courts and allow fans to watch stars like Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Nojak Djokovic groove their strokes, tinker with strategy and sometimes bicker with coaches.

I’m just trying to soak in as much as I can,” said Kathleen Sullivan, a tennis nut from Los Angeles who peered down from her seat not 20 feet from three courts that simultaneously featured a relaxed Federer drilling with Marin Cilic, Ana Ivanovic bashing groundstrokes in shorts and T-shirt, and Sam Stosur taking only volleys from her male hitting partner.

The new practice gallery, the most expansive such facility of any of the Grand Slam events, has become so popular in the first week of the tournament that the more than 1,000 seats frequently fill up, and dozens of fans often wait in line to grab an open seat.

“It’s pretty incredible to be able to stand 6 feet behind the player and see how they hit the ball,” said Matt Hoeft from Dallas, who watched Ivanovic and Kai Nishikori hitting on the same court.

Federer told reporters this week he’s definitely aware there are more people around when he practices at Flushing Meadows, a small allowance to appease the fans.

Just on the other side of the practice courts, and rivaling them in popularity, is the other new feature for 2014 newly remodeled Courts 4, 5 and 6 which have their own viewing platform, lower seating all around and walkways between each court.

USTA Executive Director Gordon Smith says the changes this year are just a taste of $500 million worth of renovations to the tennis center over the next four years, including a retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium, set for completion by the 2016 tournament, a new Louis Armstrong Stadium (which could get a roof also if the budget allows) and a new Grandstand.