Ask the Intern: Peter Dicce at the US Open

Here's something to make a racket about: The US Open has boasted record-breaking attendance this year, and NYU student Peter Dicce (SPS '25) has been lucky enough to witness it all. As a Guest Access intern at the iconic Queens grounds that are as well known for celebrities in the audience as for stars on the court, Peter works closely with players, media, and staff to ensure that secure areas are only accessible to those with the proper credentials.

It would be a dream summer for any tennis fan, but for a sport management major, the behind-the-scenes perspective on a New York City Labor Day weekend tradition and one of the world's oldest and well known tournaments is especially valuable.

"There is a lot of work that goes into maintaining a well functioning multi-million viewer event-many small, intricate details that most people don't notice but make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things," Peter says. "Everything from production and broadcasting to the cleaners who ensure the venue looks pristine is handled with such attention to detail. I'm always looking to get a holistic view of the sports industry."

And beyond the professional experience, there's the added perk of getting to see all the players and watch all the tennis he wants!

THE GIG: I oversee access to player hallways, locker rooms, and court entrances, coordinating with security to maintain a secure environment.

NETWORKING AND MENTORSHIP: Stacey Allaster, the Chief Executive of the USTA and former CEO of the WTA, shared invaluable advice with me during the tournament. She emphasized that to succeed in this industry, you need to be confident, presentable, able to write well, and, most importantly, learn to sell yourself. Hearing this from someone with such a decorated career meant a lot to me.

LUNCH BREAK FUN: My lunch breaks are spent with a mix of watching the tennis games, exploring and getting food on the campus, and enjoying the relaxing time in Grand Stand when there aren't games being played.

I wasn't the biggest tennis fan before this experience, but attending the Open changed my perspective on the sport. I've really come to enjoy watching tennis. My favorite players are Frances Tiafoe and Carlos Alcaraz. They both have great personalities and are incredibly kind. They greet everyone in the hallway with a smile on their face.

CELEB SIGHTINGS: We got to see nearly all the top players-from Djokovic and Alcaraz to Sinner and Billie Jean King, a phenomenal trailblazer in the sport. There were also tons of celebrities, former champions, and notable names everywhere. While I've had some mixed luck with celebrity encounters, there were so many big names: Seal, Alicia Keys, Serena Williams, Juan Soto, and even people like Baby Keem, Hugh Jackman, Kevin Hart, and Tyrese showed. The list goes on and on. It truly is a massive event.

ON-SCREEN INSPO: The closest example for my professional aspirations would be Ted Lasso. Like Ted, I've stepped into new opportunities where I didn't know much at first, but I've been dedicated to learning as much as possible.

DREAM JOB: It's hard to pinpoint my exact dream job, but I've always wanted to work in sports. Ideally, I would love to be the Chief of Basketball Operations for my favorite team, the Philadelphia 76ers.