The US Open tennis tournament, held this time of year in Flushing Meadows, New York, is one of the greatest venues in the sports world, and it’s about to get even better.

The brass at United States Tennis Association know as well as anyone that the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the US Open venue’s official name, needs a complete transformation for the modern age.

Many of the proposed changes recognize that enjoyment of the US Open is as much a lifestyle event as it is a major sporting experience.

At a press conference on the first day of the tournament, USTA executive director Gordon Smith pointed out that there is “an insufficient area for the number of fans on the grounds,” and that moving about can be “crowded and uncomfortable.”

The grand vision for remaking the US Open venue includes a movable roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the main venue with assigned seating.

The next two largest venues, Louis Armstrong Stadium and the Grandstand, have narrow passageways and inadequate seating.

All of this will change over the next five to six years, if all goes according to plan. The lifestyle element will bring even more food facilities and concessions to benefit the fans.

When I speak of the US Open as a lifestyle event, it has much to do with the cocktail lounges and the impressive array of food offerings you would never see at a baseball or football stadium.

Heineken, an upscale beer importer and a major sponsor, opened the Heineken House, a unique oasis built on top of its existing Red Star Café, where fans can get VIP service in cabanas while watching live screenings with an ice-cold Heineken in hand.

New this year, the club level of Arthur Ashe Stadium features the Oyster Bar, where patrons can dine on a variety of oysters, caviar, lobster rolls and shrimp cocktails. Try to imagine this dining option at another sports setting.

Ordinarily, I wouldn’t be allowed on the club level, but a media credential lets you wander about Arthur Ashe, though you won’t be allowed into private suites or club seating areas.

The Oyster Bar sounded fascinating, but when I spotted caviar being offered at a price north of $50 I moved away faster than Roger Federer lunging for a backhanded return.

For persons on a more modest budget, the expansive Food Village brought new selections with Hill Country BBQ and Fresca Mexicana, in additional to the regular assortment of international flavors already on offer.

On the other hand, the Village Market is now tossing fresh salads, handmade sandwiches and vegan options. Frankly, I choose the less healthy options, because that just seems to be the preferred stadium experience.

One of the biggest questions at the US Open this year is what has happened to the American men. The highest ranked US player at the No. 13 seed is John Isner, who played exceptionally well in the first round. But he’s already out in the third round.

My favorite player is James Blake, seeded at No. 100, who announced that this would be his last tournament. He’s also beloved by New Yorkers, and he played his heart out in the first round with some of the most exciting play.

You can’t do much better than seeing a match where three sets are decided by the back-and-forth of tie-breaks. That’s what happened in the match between Blake and Ivo Karlovic, though the Croatian won the last two sets with tie-breaks to defeat the American.

At the post-match press conference, the ever classy Blake said he was lucky enough to have had fans “cheering for me, chanting U-S-A,” for 14 years. He said there is “no good way to go out unless you’re holding that trophy.”

Contrast the Blake interview with the one given by Sam Querry, who was upset in the second round. Querry got testy when he said “I don’t give a crap what anyone thinks. I mean, it’s my life and my career.” The spirit of John McEnroe lives.

Though the championship days of Pete Sampras, Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi are a thing of the past, the American women are faring much better, with Serena Williams having won last year and being still very much in the running again.

Two years ago, Australian Samantha Stosur won the US Open. This year, seeded No. 11, Stosur was up against American teenage prodigy Victoria Duval in the first round.

In case you missed it, Duval had a stunning upset victory in three sets. The win was extremely impressive but Duval’s personal story is even more compelling.

Born in Miami and raised in Haiti, Duval endured an armed robbery home invasion hostage situation as a child, while her father nearly died in the massive earthquake in 2010.

Though she lost in the second round, Victoria Duval is an American player to watch for the future. Now if only the American men could find their own teenage prodigy.

In the few days remaining before the end of the US Open, you can catch the action on CBS, ESPN or the Tennis Channel. Better yet, sports fans, add the US Open to your bucket list.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.