As the U.S. Open gets underway in Queens, city leaders highlighted efforts to make tennis and major sporting events more accessible to New Yorkers.<\/p>\n
Mayor Zohran Mamdani cut the ribbon Wednesday on newly renovated tennis courts at Crotona Park East in the Bronx, a project aimed at expanding access to the sport in a community that has historically had fewer tennis resources.<\/p>\n
Residents hope the upgraded facilities will score big with young athletes who love the sport and also encourage people from every borough to play.<\/p>\n
The area is home to America’s largest free tennis junior competition. Each year, the Mayor Dinkins Cup draws more than 800 young athletes from across the city.<\/p>\n
The court renovations come as the city launches a separate initiative designed to help residents experience the US Open in person. Beginning Wednesday, 1,000 discounted tickets secured by the city<\/a> were made available exclusively to New Yorkers for $100 each. The tickets include both match and grounds passes for sessions between Aug. 30 and Sept. 8.<\/p>\n City officials say the discounted ticket program is part of a broader effort to bring the cost of major events within reach.<\/p>\n Mamdani said rising costs have left many residents feeling priced out of marquee sporting events.<\/p>\n “What we’ve seen is, like with many sporting events, the cost has continued to increase, and many New Yorkers feel as if they don’t have a chance at being a part of something like this,” Mamdani said.<\/p>\n No surprisingly, the tickets sold out almost immediately.<\/p>\n ———- Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News<\/p>\n
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