2008 US Open Qualifying Tournament

As posted on the US Open website, the qualifying tournament precedes the actual tournament and allows ordinary tennis players to vie for a chance for the $1 million dollar prize. I've been to this event many years ago and it was a refreshing difference from watching the tennis matches from stadiums and even on television. For the first part, there are no household name players (obviously) so you have no obligation to root for the favorite - just enjoy the sheer joy of tennis. Secondly, we get to be *this* close to the players! We literally walk right next to the net and you can almost feel the speed of the ball swish by you. The raw competition of the game is intense.

During the week of the qualifying tournament, you might get a chance to see tennis players practicing on the open cours. In the past, I've also seen some bigger names in tennis practice. Much to my delight, I've seen Serena Williams, Andre Agassi and Justin Henin up close and personal.

Best of all, the qualifying event is FREE and open to the public. For more information on US Open tickets, click here.

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Can't wait for the US Open to begin? Then get a head start on the action at the home of the US Open, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, by coming out to the 2008 US Open Qualifying Tournament -- one of the largest tennis tournaments in the U.S. -- with $1 million in prize money.

Held free to the public from Tuesday, August 19, to Friday, August 22, the US Open Qualifying Tournament consists of 128 men and 128 women competing for the final 32 entries (16 men and 16 women) in the 2008 US Open.

Numerous players in the US Open qualifying event have posted strong results in the main draw the year they qualified, including Benjamin Becker, Andy Murray and Vania King. Other players -- such as Lleyton Hewitt, David Nalbandian and Anna Kournikova -- have gone on to enjoy impressive professional careers.

The 2008 US Open Qualifying Tournament kicks off a week of free tennis events at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center that culminates with Arthur Ashe Kids' Day presented by Hess, on Saturday, August 23, and the fifth annual US Open Practice on Sunday, August 24.