This year’s edition of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships is set to take place from August 27th to September the 9th in Queens, New York. The competition is heating up as this year many new and exciting changes are being instilled into the U.S. Open. The prize money has reached a tournament-high 53 million US dollars, the debut of the Louis Armstrong Stadium is set, and Kelly Clarkson is headlining the opening night of the tournament. The U.S Open is the fourth tennis major of the Grand Slam following the one and only Wimbledon. As a part of the UTSA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the new Louis Armstrong Stadium is set to open in time for tournament play. The original Louis Armstrong Stadium was demolished in 2016 after the Arthur Ashe Stadium was set as the main venue for the U.S. Open. The Arthur Ashe Stadium is to this day the largest tennis stadium in the world, seating up to 23,000 fans. This tennis centre is located a short distance from New York’s LaGuardia airport and guests will find travelling via subway simple as it is steps away from the New York subway system’s Willet’s Point stop. The 600 million US dollar renovation is set to make the 50th annual U.S. Open Tennis Championships one of the most thrilling for tennis fans across the globe. Within a few minutes, you can sign up today.

How to Watch the U.S. Open

For those travelling to New York, or already in the area expecting to watch the beginning rounds first-hand, standard grounds tickets start at 60 US dollars and range up to $150. If watching from the United States, the entire tournament will be broadcasted live from ESPN and ESPN2. The men and women’s finals will be shown on ESPN and both doubles finals will be on ESPN2. Alternate streaming will be available on PlayStation Vue, WatchESPN, Hulu, Youtube TV, Sling, and DirecTV, as long as your provider carries ESPN. If watching the tournament from the UK and Ireland, Amazon has recently bought out broadcasting rights over Eurosport. Amazon Prime Video will now hold access to live coverage of the U.S. Open. Amazon Prime will allow UK viewers to watch the action from all devices that are applicable to Amazon Prime Video.

Our Favorites for the Tournament

On the men’s side, Rafa Nadal has earned the right to be the favourite. The current champion has won the U.S Open in 2010, 2013, and 2017, but will the Spaniard earn another major championship in New York this year? Tennis fans are also locked on Novak Djokovic which, after taking home his fourth Wimbledon title, looks to continue his momentum from grass to the hard court. Our predicted winner is looking to repeat for his sixth championship, Roger Federer. This year has shown tennis fans that experience goes a long way and holds a high advantage in major championships. Watch to see Federer make a strong case to capture a U.S. Open title once again. Looking over at the women’s side, Serena Williams, Simona Halep, and Angelique Kerber top the favourites. Serena has been playing phenomenally and is looking to add a 23rd major championship to her impressive arsenal. Karolina Pliskova is at the top of our watch list for 2018. In 2016 Pliskova was the runner-up behind the most recent Wimbledon champion, Angelique Kerber. The Czech player has never won a U.S. Open title, but look for Pliskova to make a strong run this year. To get the most out of the 2018 U.S. Tennis Championships, apply for a membership with Whale today.

Reccomondations from Whale Gaming when Staying in New York

If you have the privilege of visiting New York during this exciting time for tennis, here are our tips and recommendations on making the most of your experience. The New York borough of Queens offers many hospitality accommodations for visitors from all over the world. Ravel Hotel is a recently-opened and stunning place to stay while visiting New York for the tournament. Ravel is a smaller, four-star hotel that grants guests access to a luxury stay. The hotel is located west of Queens and closer to Manhattan, although the subway station right outside the tennis centre makes travelling to the tournament simple from wherever you stay in New York. The Ravel Hotel offers a rooftop, garden-style bar area with views overlooking the gorgeous Manhattan skyline. Accommodation is limited as rooms during the U.S. Open are reduced. Prices range from 225 to 350 US dollars for one night at the Ravel. One of the most exciting aspects is the Profundo Day Club, a rooftop sanctuary with pool, drink, and club accessibility for guests after a day watching the matches. A full day pass for Profundo costs guests $50 and $25 for just the night. Finally, Ravel also gives guests the opportunity to dine at two of their very own restaurants; Penthouse 808 and Ravel Garden Grill. For a more elegant dining experience, Penthouse 808 is a 9,500 square foot event and dining space where guests can indulge over anything from a large rib eye steak to a signature sushi roll while overlooking the skyline. A cocktail menu is also available and the wait staff will be happy to pair your meal with a nice bottle of wine as well. Ravel Garden Grill is the alternate dining room located on the top garden-style bar area offering guests lighter portions for breakfast and lunch meals. For more information regarding the Ravel Hotel and it’s accommodations, visit their website, which is linked above.

Whalegaming.com differentiates from other UK online betting websites by offering its members real-world hospitality benefits much like the comps you would receive in a high-end Las Vegas Casino, the only difference is our benefits are redeemable anywhere. Whale Gaming tries to offer unmatchable experiences, an example of which is tickets to see the US Open tennis championships. To hear more about the advantages of playing with Whale, please contact us at info@whaleglobal.com