US Open

US Open History and Facts!

3 min read
The History

US Open, the last Grand Slam of the season, has arrived! The tournament first began in 1881 in the name of the U.S. National Championship. Initially, only male singles were allowed to attend, and it took place in the Newport Casino in Rhode Island. In 1887, women's singles were introduced, signifying the tournament's growth and inclusiveness. With the start of the Open Era in 1968, the competition changed its name to the US Open and began to accept amateur and professional competitors. In 1978, the esteemed competition made Flushing Meadows, New York, its permanent home. From then on, its hardcourt surfaces kept drawing talent from all around the world.

ANGELA WEISS // Getty Images
Fun Facts
  • The US Open was the first Grand Slam to hold night matches, starting in 1975.
  • In 1973, the US Open became the first tennis tournament to award equal prize money to men and women winners.
  • The main stadium, which opened in 1997, is named after Arthur Ashe, the first African American man to win the US Open (1968).
  • Tracy Austin is the youngest US Open champion in history, winning at age 16 years and 9 months in 1979.
  • Pete Sampras is the youngest US Open male champion, winning at the age of 19 years and 28 days in 1990.
  • Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest No.1 in the history of ATP rankings when he became the champion at the US Open at the age of 19 years 4 months in 2022.
Arthur Ashe playing at the US Open, 1978. // Getty Images
The Evolution of Surfaces and Technology

The US Open's journey from grass to hardcourt has mirrored its innovative spirit. Originally played on the grass courts of Newport Casino, the tournament moved to clay courts from 1975-1977 before settling on the acrylic hardcourts of Flushing Meadows in 1978. This transition not only reflected a shift in playing styles but also in spectator preferences, favoring faster gameplay. In 2006, the US Open became a pioneer by introducing the Hawk-Eye electronic line-calling system, ensuring greater accuracy in calls and reducing disputes, thus modernizing the spectator experience.

Tennis at the Newport Casino in the 1880s, the first site of the National Championships. International Tennis Hall of Fame
Championing Gender Equality and Cultural Impact

The US Open has been a trailblazer in promoting gender equality in sports. In 1973, it became the first of the Grand Slam tournaments to award equal prize money to both men and women, setting a standard that others would eventually follow. This commitment extended beyond the court, as the tournament has hosted various events that advocate for women's rights in sports, significantly influencing the cultural dialogue around gender equality in athletics.