The history of the US Open

The US Open is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world. Along with Wimbledon , Roland Garros, and the Australian Open, it's one of the four Grand Slam tournaments on the tennis calendar. It's safe to say the US Open is among the most famous tournaments in the world. Yet, even tennis at the US Open had humble beginnings before growing into one of the world's most fascinating tournaments. Sjeng Sports is happy to explain the history of the US Open for you. 

The origins of the US Open 

The roots of the US Open go back to 1881. That year, the first U.S. Championship, better known as the US National Championship, was held. The organizer at the time was the United States National Lawn Tennis Association (USNLTA), and the tournament was played on grass in Rhode Island. Its beginnings were modest, as only male players were allowed to participate, and they also had to be members of USNLTA-affiliated tennis clubs. The tournament's first champion was Richard Sears, and he went on to win the following six editions. 

A few years later, in 1887, a women's championship was also organized in Philadelphia. The first edition, held at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, was won by Ellen Hansell. The introduction of the women's championship was indicative of the growth of the tournament and the growth of tennis as a sport in America. It led to further changes, such as the relocation of the men's tournament to New York in 1915. This would eventually become an iconic venue for the championship. 

Professionalization of US Open tennis 

One of the most significant changes to the tournament occurred in 1968. That year, the tournament was opened to professionals and the US Open was established. It was the first open tournament in history. This change stemmed from a growing demand for professionalization within the sport and led to a significant increase in the international appeal and level of tennis at the US Open. The prize money for, among other things, winning the US Open final was also significantly increased. This was reason enough for the best players from around the world to participate in the tournament in America. 

Moving to Queens, New York 

Ten years later, in 1978, the US Open moved to its current venue: the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. While the tournament had initially been played on grass and then clay courts, it was here that the tournament switched to hard courts. Even today, US Open tennis is still played on hard courts. One of these hard courts is located in Arthur Ashe Stadium, which opened in 1997. With a capacity of over 23,000 spectators, the stadium is known as the largest stadium in the world and was named after Arthur Ashe, the first African-American tennis player to win the US Open in 1968.  

Even after the turn of the century, the US Open has seen several significant innovations. For example, Hawk-Eye technology was introduced in 2006, enabling electronic line decisions. Furthermore, a retractable roof was installed on Arthur Ashe Stadium in 2016 to minimize rain-related delays. 

From Billie Jean King to Roger Federer 

Over the years, the US Open has served as a stage for the world's best tennis players, who were also able to showcase their best game in New York. Players like Billie Jean King, John McEnroe, Serena Williams, and Novak Djokovic have added the US Open Cup to their (long) lists of achievements. Tennis at the US Open has thus grown from a local event into a global phenomenon that attracts thousands of fans annually. With its rich history, legendary champions, and constant innovation, it's likely this will continue for years to come.