The final act of the Grand Slam season, the US Open is the unmissable event of late summer. This tournament, held in New York, is known for its electric atmosphere, spectacular night sessions, and unforgiving hard courts. Blending tradition and modernity, the US Open offers a unique spectacle, often marked by the excess of the Big Apple.

The History of the US Open: A Tournament That Evolved

Unlike Wimbledon or Roland-Garros, the US Open has undergone numerous changes over the decades, which has shaped its identity as a modern tournament.

• 1881: The tournament began in Newport, Rhode Island, under the name U.S. National Championship. The first editions were played on grass and were for men only.

• The 1960s: The tournament entered the Open Era in 1968, opening its doors to professional players. It moved to Forest Hills, in Queens, New York, and was played on clay.

• 1978: A major turning point. The tournament moved to its current location, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and changed its surface to hard courts (DecoTurf), a surface it has used ever since.

This evolving history has allowed the US Open to become the most innovative of the four Grand Slams.

The Specifics of the US Open: From Hard Court to the New York "Show"

The identity of the US Open is based on several characteristics that distinguish it from other major tournaments.

• The Surface: The DecoTurf hard courts are fast, which favors hard-hitters and aggressive players. However, the ball bounces very consistently, which leads to longer and often spectacular rallies.

• The Atmosphere: The energy of the New York crowd is legendary. The night sessions in particular, which take place in an American-style show atmosphere, have become the tournament's trademark. The noise from the stands and the music create a unique environment that can sometimes unsettle players.

• Arthur Ashe Stadium: The largest tennis court in the world, with a capacity of nearly 24,000 spectators. It has had a retractable roof since 2016, which allows matches to continue even in the rain.

US Open Fun Facts

• A Legendary Venue: The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center complex is the largest in the world. Court number 2, the Louis Armstrong Stadium, can hold 14,000 people, and the Grandstand 8,000.

• A Tournament of Innovation: The US Open was the first Grand Slam to use tie-break technology and to offer equal prize money for men and women as early as 1973.

• The Night Show: Night sessions first appeared in 1975 with the first men's final in the evening. This innovation, initially designed for television, was an immediate success and the format was kept with the idea of a TV Show!

• The End of Trousers: In 1931, Bunny Austin revolutionized tennis fashion by wearing shorts at the US Open, breaking the formal dress code of the era. His audacity paved the way for a new era of more comfortable and practical outfits for players.

Conclusion: Spectacle and Intensity, the Trademark of the US Open

The US Open is much more than just a tennis tournament: it is a sporting event that combines the tradition of the game with the spectacle of American culture. Its fast surface, unique atmosphere, and status as the last Grand Slam of the year make it an event full of surprises and emotions. It is the ideal stage for champions looking to write their name into the history books one last time before the end of the season.