US Open (Tennis): History and 10 Fun Facts

History

1. Inauguration: The US Open, originally known as the U.S. National Championship, was first held in 1881. It began as a men’s singles and doubles competition.
2. Location: The tournament has been held in several locations throughout its history, including Rhode Island, Philadelphia, and Forest Hills, before settling at its current home in Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York, in 1978.
3. Surface Changes: The US Open has seen surface changes from grass to clay and finally to hardcourt. It is currently played on DecoTurf, a type of acrylic hardcourt.
4. Integration: Althea Gibson became the first African American player to win the US National Championship in 1957, breaking racial barriers in tennis.
5. Open Era: The tournament became an “open” event in 1968, allowing both amateurs and professionals to compete, leading to a more competitive field.
6. Equal Prize Money: The US Open was the first Grand Slam tournament to offer equal prize money to men and women in 1973, a pioneering move in the world of tennis.
7. Night Matches: The US Open is known for its night matches, starting with the introduction of lights on the courts in 1975. This innovation allowed for more flexibility in scheduling and increased viewership.
8. Arthur Ashe Stadium: The Arthur Ashe Stadium, the main stadium at the US Open, is the largest tennis-specific stadium in the world, with a seating capacity of over 23,000.
9. Records: Serena Williams holds the record for the most US Open women’s singles titles in the Open Era, with 6 victories. Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, and Jimmy Connors share the record for the most men’s singles titles in the Open Era, with 5 each.
10. Iconic Moments: The US Open has witnessed numerous historic moments, including Billie Jean King’s famous “Battle of the Sexes” match against Bobby Riggs in 1973 and the epic five-setter between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe in 1980.

Fun Facts

1. The US Open is the only Grand Slam tournament that is played on a hard court surface.
2. The Arthur Ashe Stadium is the largest tennis stadium in the world, with a capacity of 23,771.
3. The US Open is the only Grand Slam tournament that uses a tiebreaker at 6-6 in the final set.
4. Venus and Serena Williams are the only sisters to have met in a Grand Slam final, which they did at the US Open in 2001.
5. Arthur Ashe was the only African American male to win the US Open singles title.
6. Billie Jean King threatened to boycott the US Open in 1973 unless the tournament offered equal prize money to men and women. The tournament eventually agreed, making it the first Grand Slam tournament to do so.
7. The US Open is the most watched Grand Slam tournament in the United States.
8. The US Open is the only Grand Slam tournament that is played on Labor Day weekend.
9. The US Open is the most expensive Grand Slam tournament to enter.
10. The US Open is the only Grand Slam tournament that has been held in three different centuries.

Furthermore:

1. The US Open trophy weighs a hefty 14 pounds (6.35 kilograms).
2. The fastest serve recorded at the US Open was hit by Sam Groth in 2012, reaching a speed of 163.7 mph (263.4 km/h).
3. The term “Grand Slam” to describe winning all four major tennis tournaments was coined by American player John L. Worth in 1933.
4. The US Open is famous for its celebrity spectators, including actors, musicians, and political figures who attend matches.
5. In 1977, Guillermo Vilas and Eddie Dibbs played a 6-hour, 12-minute-long match, making it the longest men’s singles match in US Open history.
6. The retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium was completed in 2016, ensuring that rain delays would no longer disrupt play.
7. The US Open ball is changed every seven games, a unique feature among Grand Slam tournaments.
8. Serena Williams holds the record for the fastest serve by a woman at the US Open, reaching 124 mph (200 km/h).
9. The tournament has a tradition of showcasing great food, including the famous Honey Deuce cocktail made with Grey Goose vodka, raspberry liqueur, and lemonade.
10. The US Open introduced electronic line calling with the Hawk-Eye system in 2006, allowing players to challenge line calls during matches.

The US Open has a rich history and continues to be a thrilling and innovative event in the world of tennis, attracting top talent from around the globe.