Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
When Andy Murray won Wimbledon earlier this year, he was the first British man to have accomplished that in 77 years. Unless John Isnermakes an improbable run, 2013 would be the 10th consecutive year without an American victory at the U.S. Open. While Isner’s a long shot, since Murray’s historic win at Wimbledon, the top-seeded American has been playing so well that there are rumblings about a Murray-like national victory in Flushing. While it would drive ticket prices up considerably, it would cost much less than the 4,400 pounds get-in price for the Wimbledon finals.
Before you dismiss the possibility, consider that Inser has reached the finals in three of the last four hard court tournaments and beaten both Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro along the way. If Isner goes on a fairy tale run and somehow gets to center court on Sunday, prices to this year’s final would likely reach an average north of $1,000—a milestone for typically reserved for Super Bowls and NBA Finals Games 7.
The only two seeded men that Isner has not beaten are Nadal and Murray. Last week, Isner made it interesting against Nadal, losing two tiebreaker sets to the Spanish icon in the finals of the Western and Southern in Cincinnati. Despite that loss, Isner and his 150-mph serve have a lot of momentum. If he can improve on this return game, he could be a legitimate Cinderella to add to the many other improbable American runs at at the U.S. Open.
In order for that to happen, Isner would have to do in New York what he could not do in Cincinnatti: get past the second-seeded Nadal. If they both advance on schedule, they would meet in the fourth round, and play on either Monday the 2nd or Tuesday the 3rd. U.S. Open ticketsfor the four sessions that make up these two days have an average price of $85. The night sessions are much cheaper with an average price $41 and $50, respectively. The good news for fans is that Isner vs. Nadal has primetime written all over it. If that happens, chances are that get-in prices will be a lot higher than $50, which is currently the cheapest ticket for the last evening fourth-round match. From the $50 seats, the match takes on an almost video-game like quality and it’s a very entertaining way to see the action. In the Loge section, it’s up close, if not totally personal, and the get-in price for the four sessions ranges from $113 to $147. For the lower level, the cheapest seat you can get for session 10 is $437.
If you go the expensive route, you may want to consider a helmet to bring along just in case Rafa can’t handle a 156-mph heater from the North Carolina native and Georgia Bulldogs alumn. At 156-mph, Isner would break the all-time U.S. Speed record, set by Andy Roddick in 2004. He previous best is 150. If he can get past Nadal, maybe he’ll save 156 for the Quarters or Semis. At 20-1 odds and tournament rank of 13, he’s a long shot to get to center court on Sunday. Even if he gets close, American fans would be energized about a legitimate contender that even at 150-mph can’t get here fast enough.
For a full list of prices of U.S. Open tickets to both day and night sessions, visit the TiqIQ blog.
