So, I’ve been digging into this whole “US Open qualifying” thing, and let me tell you, figuring out the costs involved was a bit of a journey. I wanted to break it down, plain and simple, from my own experience poking around.
Getting Started – Finding Info
First off, I started by trying to find the official entry fee. It was a little tricky, to be honest. I spent some serious time googling around. I figured it would be a straightforward number, but no such luck!
The Entry Fee – Finally!
Eventually, after lots of website hopping, I discovered the general ballpark. And it is not cheap.
Beyond the Entry Fee – It Adds Up
But here’s the thing – it’s not just the entry fee. That’s where I really had to put on my thinking cap. I started to consider all the other stuff you’d need to pay for:
- Travel: I mean, you gotta get there, right? Flights, gas if you’re driving, it all depends on where you’re coming from. For me, it would be a cross-country flight.
- Accommodation: Hotels aren’t cheap, especially near a big event. I looked at some prices, and whoa! We’re talking serious money for even a basic room for several nights.
- Food: Gotta eat! And eating out for every meal gets expensive fast. I’d probably try to find a place with a kitchenette to save a bit, but still, it’s a cost.
- Coaching/Support: If you’re serious, you might have a coach or someone with you. That’s another plane ticket, another hotel room, and their fees. I don’t have a coach, but I can imagine it’s a big chunk of change.
- Equipment: I also factored in having the right gear, restringing rackets, and all that stuff. It’s not a huge expense compared to the rest, but it’s still something.
My “Rough Estimate” Reality Check
So, after all this digging and thinking, I put together a very, very rough estimate of what it would cost me, personally, to try and qualify. I realized I had to plan and pay for all the required stuff above.
It was definitely more than I initially thought. It’s a big commitment, not just in terms of time and effort, but financially too.
It really drove home the point that pursuing something like this is a major undertaking!
