US Open: Championship History and the Flushing Meadows
Once a high society exclusive, the US Open now is open to over 600 male and female tennis professionals. As of 2008, the Championship’s prize money has reached a whopping US $19 million, with a US $1.5 million for each singles champion.
The tournament was first held in August 1881 at the New Port Casino, Rhode Island while only members from the United States National Lawn Tennis Association were permitted to make appearances. Also, initially just men were allowed to compete in the singles category. In 1915, the championship was moved to West Side Tennis Club at Forrest Hills, New York. 5 years later, it was played at the Germantown Cricket Club in Philadelphia. However, it was moved back to Forest Hills in 1924.
The US Open’s first ever Women’s National singles were held in 1887 at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. Two years down the line, the Women’s doubles Nationals took place alongside the first ever mixed doubles. Men’s doubles were first played in 1900. The year 1968 was of utmost importance to the championship, as the open era began and all five events merged into the U.S. Open which was then held at the West Side Tennis Club, Forest Hills, New York.
The tournament was henceforth open to all professionals. 96 men and 63 women made appearances that year while the total prize money was $100,000. Furthermore, US Open became the first grand slam to use a ‘tie-break’ at the end of a set. The Championship was initially played on grass until the Forest Hills changed to Har-Tru Clay courts in 1975. It was moved to the Flushing Meadows three years later. Since then, the U.S. Open is played on Deco Turf surfaces.
Termed as “Valley of Ashes” by Francis Scott Fitzgerald in his novel, “The Great Gatsby,” the 1,255 acre Flushing Meadow Park was created from a former dump prior to 1939. This park is situated in the New York City borough of Queens, amidst the Grand Central Parkway and the Van Wyck expressway. Managed by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, it is the third largest of its kind in the city.
The main tennis court is located at the ‘Arthur Ashe Stadium’ which consists of 24,000 seats. It was named after the first African-American tennis professional to have won the championship in 1968.A number of serve-and-volley players have succeeded at the US Open, reason being, the Deco-Turf surfaces. This fast surface has slightly less friction and produces a lower bounce in comparison to other hard-surfaced courts.
The second largest court is located within the Louis Armstrong stadium. It was opened in 1978 and initially consisted of about 18,000 seats until the number was brought down to 10,000. In 2005, all of the indoor Deco Turf surfaces were given blue color for better ball visibility. The outer courts however, remained green. The courts are usually lit up for the ease of the spectators.
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