US Open Tennis Tournament Fast Facts

Here’s a look at the US Open Tennis Tournament. It is held annually at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York. It is the only Grand Slam tennis championship held in North America.

August 26-September 8, 2024 – The US Open Tennis Tournament takes place. Aryna Sabalenka defeats Jessica Pegula and Jannik Sinner defeats Taylor Fritz.

August 28-September 10, 2023 – The US Open Tennis Tournament takes place. Coco Gauff defeats Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic defeats Daniil Medvedev.

The US Open is one of four “Grand Slam” tournaments, along with the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the French Open.

Matches are in five categories: men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles.

Since 1978, the matches have been played on a hard-court surface covered with “DecoTurf” artificial grass.

Total player compensation for 2024 is $75 million. $3.6 million is awarded to the men’s and women’s singles champions.

Pre-1968 – Bill Larned, Richard Sears, Bill Tilden (tied with 7)

Post-1968 – Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras (tied with 5)

Pre-1968 – Molla B. Mallory (8)

Post-1968 – Chris Evert, Serena Williams (tied with 6)

1881 – Begins as a men’s tournament open only to members of the US National Lawn Tennis Association. The competition is held at the Newport Casino in Rhode Island. Richard Sears is the first champion.

1887 – Ellen Hansel is the first female singles winner.

1968 – The “Open Era” begins, as professionals are allowed to compete with amateurs. The name of the competition changes from the US Championships to the US Open. The first US Open singles champions are Arthur Ashe and Virginia Wade.

1973 – The US Open becomes the first Grand Slam tournament to offer equal prize money to male and female winners.

1978 – The National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows Corona Park becomes the site of the US Open.

1997 – The stadium used for the tournament inside the USTA National Tennis Center is named Arthur Ashe Stadium.

2006 – The USTA National Tennis Center facility is renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

2016 – A retractable roof is added to the Arthur Ashe Stadium and a new grandstand stadium is built at the USTA Tennis Center for the 2016 tournament. The additions are part of ongoing renovations announced in 2013.