Story highlights
- Stars reveal love of US Open
- "Greatest place ever," says Kevin Spacey
- Susan Sarandon enjoys "show business crossover"
- Boxer Mike Tyson hails "apex athletes" doing battle
(CNN)He's famed for bringing scheming anti-hero Frank Underwood to our screens in hit drama "House of Cards."
But when he's not embroiled in political machinations, Kevin Spacey likes nothing better than to unwind by immersing himself in the drama of the US Open.
Tennis fan Spacey says he believes it's "the best tournament going" and enjoys the ding-dong battles at Flushing Meadows every bit as much as the tussles involving the manipulative Underwood.
"You know, to see the level of play you see here, the kind of competition and incredible individual spirit and also the fans ... it's the greatest place ever and so if I'm free and I can make it, I'm here," he told the US Tennis Association.
Spacey: Underwood would shove Trump 01:40
Fellow actor Susan Sarandon also detects more than a touch of the theatrical about the event -- especially once night starts to fall.
"When you put it with the lights and everything, it makes it kind of surreal and fabulous," she explains.
"I think the players that you root for are the ones that have personality as well as skill, so it does have kind of a show business crossover."
"It's a one of a kind event," says Alec Baldwin, another actor drawn to the tournament's drama. "It's like New York's temple to tennis, and I love coming here each year."
For former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, it's all about the "passion" of the players.
"These are all apex athletes, the best in the universe," he declares. "You're not going to find better than this."
