With US Open ticket prices soaring, fans are scrambling for ways to watch their favorite stars at Arthur Ashe without punching a hole in their wallets. But the ticket frenzy has now reached an awkward new level, with some families of players getting dragged into the scramble. Coco Gauff, however, has had enough.
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Hours after Gauff’s mother, Candi, warned their extended family not to ask for tickets as Coco prepares to chase a second US Open title, the World No. 4 publicly backed her mother’s message. With the main draw getting underway at Flushing Meadows on Sunday, August 30, Gauff made it clear that even family members shouldn’t expect a free pass into Arthur Ashe.
“I did not know she was posting this, but ya’ll done stressed my mom and dad out,” said Gauff on her Instagram story while resharing her mother’s post. “She’s not wrong, haha. Reposting because no, I cannot accommodate you and your plus six entourage 2 hours before my match.” Given that Gauff is one of the biggest stars on the WTA right now, demand for tickets to her matches is always high, especially at the US Open.
The 22-Year-old’s tweet came just a few hours after her mom warned not to pester the family for US Open tickets, as they had already accounted for the guests who would be attending Gauff’s matches.
“I apologize in advance for this blunt, but necessary statement. I know you are very excited about Coco playing in the US Open. Me too!!!” said Candi in an Instagram post. “Coco’s guest ticket request have already been accounted for. Unfortunately, I will not be able to hook you up with a ticket. Please make arrangements to purchase a ticket.”
Playing in New York already adds extra pressure for Gauff and her team, as the scrutiny of the American press is on her. Her parents are integral members of her team, with her father being her childhood coach and still acting as a mentor, whereas her mother is a regular presence in the Americans’ box.
Her father travels with her to most events, but often stays absent in the box because of the tension and pressure of a high-stakes match. It goes without saying that Gauff’s parents are already under a huge amount of pressure, watching their daughter play for the biggest trophies in the sport, a pressure that could do well without family requests for extra tickets.
With Coco Gauff arriving in New York in red-hot form, it’s hardly surprising that demand for her US Open tickets is expected to be through the roof. She is arriving at Flushing Meadows on the back of winning the title in Cincinnati, something she did back in 2023 as well, before going on to clinch the crown in New York. The American also reached the semifinals in Toronto, losing a close three-set match to Elena Rybakina.
Given her recent hard-court form, the 22-year-old is one of the favorites for the US Open title, but the American does have a tricky draw. She starts her campaign against Zeynep Sonmez, after which she might face Paula Badosa in the second round, with the Spaniard having a 5-3 head-to-head record, having already beaten the American once in Berlin this year. She would potentially face Sara Bejlek in the third round, having already beaten the Czech in the Cincinnati semifinal.
Gauff’s potential fourth-round match against Alexandra Eala is a fixture eagerly anticipated by fans and tournament organizers alike, given the popularity of both players. Once deep in the draw, Gauff will have tougher challenges in the form of Mirra Andreeva, Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, and Aryna Sabalenka, but given the new aggressive style of tennis she has been playing over the last two months, the World No.4 would pit herself against any opposition.
And when it comes to finding a ticket without breaking the bank, Mayor Zohran Mamdani might just have the answer.
Mamdani’s $100 Fix for US Open Fans
Catching the US Open in person is becoming an expensive affair, not just for New Yorkers, but also for visitors coming to the city with tennis on their itinerary. But there could be a small opening for fans hoping to avoid the eye-watering prices. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the USTA have teamed up on a ticket initiative that puts 1,000 seats on sale for $100 each, exclusively for New York residents.
The tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with buyers required to verify their New York ZIP code. Moreover, these passes won’t be eligible for resale through Ticketmaster, keeping them out of the usual resale merry-go-round.
The distribution began at 10 am on Wednesday, August 26. The initiative follows Mamdani’s recent criticism of the US Open’s rising ticket prices, with the mayor arguing that an iconic New York sporting event should remain accessible to the people who call the city home.