Flushing tickets are going fast

Fans are gobbling up tickets to the U.S. Open now that Serena Williams has made it clear she’s retiring after the year’s final Grand Slam tournament.

“You talk about the Serena effect, it’s like a tsunami,” USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier told The Post. “Since people have learned of the news, we’ve sold, as of 3 p.m. [Tuesday], 13,000 tickets to the Open, including 4,500 or thereabouts for opening night.”

Asked to provide context for the 13,000 number, Widmaier declared, “That’s a spectacular day. In fact, it may be unprecedented.”

The interest in Williams’ first match is particularly astounding. While tickets for the Arthur Ashe Stadium upper deck on the opening Monday night of the tournament (Aug. 29) can retail for $35, Widmaier revealed there are those who are attempting to sell their $35 tickets for $7,000 on the Ticketmaster resale.

Making that even more remarkable is the fact it’s not even a sure thing Williams will play on opening night (the draw is revealed on the Thursday before the tournament). However, Widmaier pointed out Williams has played on the celebrated first evening a number of times.

Widmaier said it is still to be determined how the Open will honor Williams during the tournament.

— Mark Hale