Only in Queens: The U.S. Open & the USTA

Intergenerational Tennis Wins: Nadal Defeats Medvedev & Andreescu Defeats Williams

September 10, 2019 / Flushing Neighborhood / Sports in Queens / Queens Buzz NYC.

In the week leading up to the U.S. Open the USTA opens its doors to the Flushing, Queens and NYC community. They host a number of tennis related events, and provide opportunities for those who visit to watch the pros practice on the courts. The week culminated in Arthur Ashe Kid Day at the end of the week and families from the NYC metro area, most notably Queens come in droves to take in the rich atmosphere of the newly renovated USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

I had the opportunity to visit this year, which was enhanced by being able to photograph and video a shirtless Rafael Nadal - who won the men’s title this year, complete with ripped abs - while practicing. See video later in the story.

• CLICK - renovated USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Queens for story about the $60 millon in renovations completed in 2018 and about the 2019 U.S. Open. The report includes video of Rafael Nadal practicing in the week prior to the U.S. Open when the public is welcome to visit the USTA and watch practices for free.

Only in Queens: The U.S. Open & the USTA

Intergenerational Tennis Wins: Nadal Defeats Medvedev & Andreescu Defeats Williams

September 10, 2019 / Flushing Neighborhood / Sports in Queens / Queens Buzz NYC. Continued.

In 2018 the USTA completed its makeover in time for the 50th anniversary of their site in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. In the renovation the USTA increased the seating capacity of the Louis Armstrong Stadium to 14,000, which they had reduced from 18,000 to 10,000 in 1995 - 1997, when the Arthur Ashe Stadium was built.

The Arthur Ashe Stadium initially had a seating capacity of over 22,000 plus, and following the renovation had added over 1,000 seats, as it can now accommodate 23,771. The Grandstand Stadium can accommodate an additional 8,125 attendees. The Louis Armstrong [left] and Arthur Ashe [right] stadiums are shown in the photo at right.

The U.S. Open: A Brief View of Attendance & Revenue

The U.S. Open is reportedly the most profitable event held in New York City, this year attracting over 737,872 people from all around the world to the event. The USTA reportedly took in over $100 million in revenue, and this doesn’t include all the associated costs of attending the U.S. Open such as airfares, hotels, dining and transit.

The U.S. Open all time attendance record prior to completion of the renovation in 2018, was in 2009 when they set a record of 721,059. In 2018 they beat that record, attracting 732,663, and as noted above, the U.S. Open set another all-time attendance record again this year.

The U.S. Open tennis matches run two weeks. This doesn’t include the practice week leading up to the event as noted above. Unlike years prior to the 2018 completed renovation, the newly installed retractable roofs on the two major stadiums, ensure the tennis matches are no longer subject to weather delays, while still providing an open air experience when the weather is fair [see video below]. And the added 5,000 plus seating capacity in the major stadiums, provides more room to accommodate the audience. The photo at right shows the recently renovated Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The photo at right shows the recently renovated USTA in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The renovated complex includes plenty more bathrooms, restaurants, shopping and shady rest areas to provide a more modern, relaxed atmosphere.

A Brief History of the USTA in Flushing Meadows Corona Park

The USTA came to Flushing Meadows Corona Park in 1978. They had previously operated out of the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium prior to that [see photo at right].

The USTA took control of the old Singer Stadium, which was built to showcase Singer Sewing Machines at the 1964 World’s Fair. In preparation for the move, the Singer Stadium, which had a capacity of 15,000, was partitioned into two stadiums - the Louis Armstrong Stadium and the Grandstand Stadium. In 1997 the Arthur Ashe Stadium was added to the site, built for a reported quarter of a billion dollars, to accommodate an additional 22,000 plus attendees.

The recent renovation cost the USTA over a half billion dollars – reportedly costing $600 million. But this renovation also included a wide range of enhancements such as the retractable roofs and the added seating capacity noted above, as well as many more bathrooms, eating and shopping destinations, as well as shaded park area.

2019 U.S. Open Men's Final & Women's Final at USTA

This year turned out to be an interesting one. In the Women’s competition Serena Williams, who is now 37 years old, won her first U.S. Open title in 1999 at age 17.She was challenged and defeated by Canadian Bianca Andreescu who is just 19, only two years older than Serena was when she became world renowned.

And in the Men’s competition, Spaniard Rafael Nadal who is 33 years old, defeated Russian Daniil Medvedev, who is ten years younger at age 23. Rafael Nadal is now only one major title or grand slam away from tying Swiss Roger Feder’s world record of twenty. And Serena Williams is only one major title away from tying Australian Margaret Court who won 20, ending in 1975. Rafael Nadal is shown practicing in August of 2019 in the photo at right, as well as in photos and video shown below.

Stay tuned. The video below shows the USTA on Arthur Ashe Kid / Family Day and by chance includes a bit of practice by Spaniard Rafael Nadal.

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