Tennis fans: check in for a new badge courtesy of the US Open

It takes more than a hurricane to stop the US Open Tennis Championships. Despite Irene’s (light) pummeling of New York City yesterday, the tournament will start on time. And if you’re a foursquare user, that means a new badge: 2011 US Open.

To earn the badge, all you need to do is follow the US Open and check in to any tennis court (including the actual US Open itself) between now and September 11. The badge is available worldwide. The unlock text reads:

Advantage: you! You’re entered to win a trip for 2 to attend the Men’s Singles Final on Sunday, 9/11 (full rules: bit.ly/qxOu9W). Now volley over to USOpenShop.org with code “4SQBADGE15″ for 15% off and a free US Open-used tennis ball (while supplies last) until 9/14.

If you check in at the US Open itself, you’ll see this text:

Advantage: you! Congrats on checking in to the US Open- the largest annually attended sporting event in the world. Enjoy 2 weeks of heart-pounding tennis action featuring over 500 players serving up more aces than you can count. Game. Set. Check in!

Users in the US who unlock the badge (before September 5) will be entered in a sweepstakes to win a trip for two to New York for the Men’s Singles Final.

This isn’t the first badge associated with a specific tennis tournament, but it’s not the first badge associated with tennis. Sony Ericsson, a sponsor of the women’s tennis tour, offered the XPERIA Tennis Fan badge at various stops along the women’s tour. They also made foursquare a major part of their marketing efforts during the Sony Ericsson Open.

American Express cardholders can save money through foursquare at the US Open, too. They’ll get a $10 statement credit when they make a $20 concession purchase using a linked card and using the “load to card” functionality.

The new badge certainly explains why foursquare added categories for “tennis stadiums” and “tennis courts” last week. Honoring tennis fans worldwide is a much better way to award this badge than simply limiting it to the tournament in New York. Lots of foursquare users will be excited to earn this badge.

Will you be attending the US Open this week? What do you think of the badge?