The US Open [a] [b] is an annual tennis tournament created in 1881 and played on outdoor hard courts [c] at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows – Corona Park , New York City, United States.[ 1] [ 2]
The US Open is played during a two-week period in late August and early September, and has been chronologically the last of the four Grand Slam tournaments of the tennis season since 1987.[ 3] Newport (1881–1914), Forest Hills (1915–1920, 1924–1977), and Philadelphia (1921–1923) held the event before it settled in 1978 at the USTA National Tennis Center, now the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York City.[ 4] The inaugural tournament, in 1881, was reserved for United States National Lawn Tennis Association (USNLTA) club members, before the championships opened to international competitors in 1882.[ 2] The USTA is the national body that organizes this event.
The men's singles' rules have undergone several changes since the first edition. From 1884 to 1911 , the event started with a knockout phase, the All-Comers singles, whose winner faced the defending champion in a challenge round . The All-Comers winner was awarded the title six times (1888 , 1893 , 1898 , 1901 , 1904 , 1907 ) in the absence of the previous year's champion. The challenge round system was abolished with the 1912 edition.[ 5] Since 1881, all matches but the All-Comers final and the challenge round were played as the best-of-three sets , before the event switched to best-of-five for all rounds in 1886 . Best-two-out-of-three-sets matches were reintroduced for early rounds in 1917 , from 1943 to 1945 , and from 1975 to 1978 .[ 5] Before 1884 , the winner of the next game at five-games–all took the set in every match except the All-Comers final and the challenge round, which were won by the player who had at least six games and at least two games more than his opponent. This advantage format was introduced for the final sets of early rounds in 1884, and used for all sets in all rounds from 1887 to 1969 .[ 5] The tie-break system was introduced in 1970 for all sets, in its best-of-nine points sudden death version until 1974 , and in its best-of-12 points lingering death version since 1975 .[ 5] [ 6] [ 7] In addition, the US Open is the only slam to have a fifth set tie-break, which has never occurred in the final since the tie-break was instituted.[ 8]
The court surface changed twice, from grass (1881–1974), to Har-Tru clay (1975–1977), to hard courts, since 1978.[ 9] The only man to win on all three surfaces, which are grass, Har-Tru clay, and DecoTurf was Jimmy Connors .
The champion receives a full-size replica of the event's trophy engraved with his name.[ 10] In 2010, the winner received prize money of US$1,700,000.[ 11] A bonus pool of $1,000,000 is also to US Open champions who have clinched the first place of the US Open Series .[ 12]
In the U.S. National Championships, Richard Sears (1881–1887), William Larned (1901–1902, 1907–1911) and Bill Tilden (1920–1925, 1929) hold the record for most titles in the men's singles, with seven victories each. Four of Sears' wins and all of Larned's, came within the challenge round format, and they won respectively only thrice and twice after going through a complete draw. Sears also holds the all-time record for most consecutive titles, with seven from (1881 to 1887); the first win came when the event was closed to foreign participants. Without the challenge round, the record stands at six, and is held by Tilden (1920–1925).[ 3]
During the US Open, since the inclusion of the professional tennis players, Jimmy Connors (1974, 1976, 1978, 1982–1983), Pete Sampras (1990, 1993, 1995–1996, 2002), and Roger Federer (2004–2008) have won the most championships, with five titles. Federer has had the most consecutive wins, with five (2004–2008).[ 3]
Champions
Key
Regular competition
USNLTA clubs members only event *
All Comers' winner, Challenge round winner ‡
Defending champion, Challenge round winner †
All Comers' winner, no Challenge round ◊
U.S. National Championships
William Larned took seven titles at the event.
A black-haired man in a white shirt, holding several wooden rackets under his arm Bill Tilden won a record seven titles, including six that were won consecutively.
Year[d]
Country
Champion
Country
Runner-up
Score in the final [ 3] [ 4]
1881
USA
Richard Sears *
USA
William Glyn
6–0, 6–3, 6–2
1882
USA
Richard Sears
USA
Clarence Clark
6–1, 6–4, 6–0
1883
USA
Richard Sears
USA
James Dwight
6–2, 6–0, 9–7
1884
USA
Richard Sears †
USA
Howard Taylor
6–0, 1–6, 6–0, 6–2
1885
USA
Richard Sears †
USA
Godfrey Brinley
6–3, 4–6, 6–0, 6–3
1886
USA
Richard Sears †
USA
Robert Livingston Beeckman
4–6, 6–1, 6–3, 6–4
1887
USA
Richard Sears †
USA
Henry Slocum
6–1, 6–3, 6–2
1888
USA
Henry Slocum ◊
USA
Howard Taylor
6–4, 6–1, 6–0
1889
USA
Henry Slocum †
USA
Quincy Shaw
6–3, 6–1, 4–6, 6–2
1890
USA
Oliver Campbell ‡
USA
Henry Slocum
6–2, 4–6, 6–3, 6–1
1891
USA
Oliver Campbell †
USA
Clarence Hobart
2–6, 7–5, 7–9, 6–1, 6–2
1892
USA
Oliver Campbell †
USA
Frederick Hovey
7–5, 3–6, 6–3, 7–5
1893
USA
Robert Wrenn ◊
USA
Frederick Hovey
6–4, 3–6, 6–4, 6–4
1894
USA
Robert Wrenn †
USA
Manliff Goodbody
6–8, 6–1, 6–4, 6–4
1895
USA
Frederick Hovey ‡
USA
Robert Wrenn
6–3, 6–2, 6–4
1896
USA
Robert Wrenn ‡
USA
Frederick Hovey
7–5, 3–6, 6–0, 1–6, 6–1
1897
USA
Robert Wrenn †
GBR
Wilberforce Eaves
4–6, 8–6, 6–3, 2–6, 6–2
1898
USA
Malcolm Whitman ◊
USA
Dwight Davis
3–6, 6–2, 6–2, 6–1
1899
USA
Malcolm Whitman †
USA
Jahial Parmly Paret
6–1, 6–2, 3–6, 7–5
1900
USA
Malcolm Whitman †
USA
William Larned
6–4, 1–6, 6–2, 6–2
1901
USA
William Larned ◊
USA
Beals Wright
6–2, 6–8, 6–4, 6–4
1902
USA
William Larned †
GBR
Reginald Doherty
4–6, 6–2, 6–4, 8–6
1903
GBR
Lawrence Doherty ‡
USA
William Larned
6–0, 6–3, 10–8
1904
USA
Holcombe Ward ◊
USA
William Clothier
10–8, 6–4, 9–7
1905
USA
Beals Wright ‡
USA
Holcombe Ward
6–2, 6–1, 11–9
1906
USA
William Clothier ‡
USA
Beals Wright
6–3, 6–0, 6–4
1907
USA
William Larned ◊
USA
Robert LeRoy
6–2, 6–2, 6–4
1908
USA
William Larned †
USA
Beals Wright
6–1, 6–2, 8–6
1909
USA
William Larned †
USA
William Clothier
6–1, 6–2, 5–7, 1–6, 6–1
1910
USA
William Larned †
USA
Tom Bundy
6–1, 5–7, 6–0, 6–8, 6–1
1911
USA
William Larned †
USA
Maurice McLoughlin
6–4, 6–4, 6–2
1912
USA
Maurice McLoughlin
USA
Wallace Johnson
3–6, 2–6, 6–2, 6–4, 6–2
1913
USA
Maurice McLoughlin
USA
Richard Norris Williams
6–4, 5–7, 6–3, 6–1
1914
USA
Richard Norris Williams
USA
Maurice McLoughlin
6–3, 8–6, 10–8
1915
USA
Bill Johnston
USA
Maurice McLoughlin
1–6, 6–0, 7–5, 10–8
1916
USA
Richard Norris Williams
USA
Bill Johnston
4–6, 6–4, 0–6, 6–2, 6–4
1917
USA
Robert Lindley Murray [e]
USA
Nathaniel Niles
5–7, 8–6, 6–3, 6–3
1918
USA
Robert Lindley Murray
USA
Bill Tilden
6–3, 6–1, 7–5
1919
USA
Bill Johnston
USA
Bill Tilden
6–4, 6–4, 6–3
1920
USA
Bill Tilden
USA
Bill Johnston
6–1, 1–6, 7–5, 5–7, 6–3
1921
USA
Bill Tilden
USA
Wallace Johnson
6–1, 6–3, 6–1
1922
USA
Bill Tilden
USA
Bill Johnston
4–6, 3–6, 6–2, 6–3, 6–4
1923
USA
Bill Tilden
USA
Bill Johnston
6–4, 6–1, 6–4
1924
USA
Bill Tilden
USA
Bill Johnston
6–1, 9–7, 6–2
1925
USA
Bill Tilden
USA
Bill Johnston
4–6, 11–9, 6–3, 4–6, 6–3
1926
FRA
René Lacoste
FRA
Jean Borotra
6–4, 6–0, 6–4
1927
FRA
René Lacoste
USA
Bill Tilden
11–9, 6–3, 11–9
1928
FRA
Henri Cochet
USA
Francis Hunter
4–6, 6–4, 3–6, 7–5, 6–3
1929
USA
Bill Tilden
USA
Francis Hunter
3–6, 6–3, 4–6, 6–2, 6–4
1930
USA
John Doeg
USA
Francis Shields
10–8, 1–6, 6–4, 16–14
1931
USA
Ellsworth Vines
USA
George Lott
7–9, 6–3, 9–7, 7–5
1932
USA
Ellsworth Vines
FRA
Henri Cochet
6–4, 6–4, 6–4
1933
GBR
Fred Perry
AUS
Jack Crawford
6–3, 11–13, 4–6, 6–0, 6–1
1934
GBR
Fred Perry
USA
Wilmer Allison
6–4, 6–3, 3–6, 1–6, 8–6
1935
USA
Wilmer Allison
USA
Sidney Wood
6–2, 6–2, 6–3
1936
GBR
Fred Perry
USA
Don Budge
2–6, 6–2, 8–6, 1–6, 10–8
1937
USA
Don Budge
GER
Gottfried von Cramm
6–1, 7–9, 6–1, 3–6, 6–1
1938
USA
Don Budge
USA
Gene Mako
6–3, 6–8, 6–2, 6–1
1939
USA
Bobby Riggs
USA
Welby Van Horn
6–4, 6–2, 6–4
1940
USA
Don McNeill
USA
Bobby Riggs
4–6, 6–8, 6–3, 6–3, 7–5
1941
USA
Bobby Riggs
USA
Frank Kovacs
5–7, 6–1, 6–3, 6–3
1942
USA
Ted Schroeder
USA
Frank Parker
8–6, 7–5, 3–6, 4–6, 6–2
1943
USA
Joseph Hunt
USA
Jack Kramer
6–3, 6–8, 10–8, 6–0
1944
USA
Frank Parker
USA
Bill Talbert
6–4, 3–6, 6–3, 6–3
1945
USA
Frank Parker
USA
Bill Talbert
14–12, 6–1, 6–2
1946
USA
Jack Kramer
USA
Tom Brown
9–7, 6–3, 6–0
1947
USA
Jack Kramer
USA
Frank Parker
4–6, 2–6, 6–1, 6–0, 6–3
1948
USA
Pancho Gonzales
RSA
Eric Sturgess
6–2, 6–3, 14–12
1949
USA
Pancho Gonzales
USA
Ted Schroeder
16–18, 2–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4
1950
USA
Arthur Larsen
USA
Herbert Flam
6–3, 4–6, 5–7, 6–4, 6–3
1951
AUS
Frank Sedgman
USA
Vic Seixas
6–4, 6–1, 6–1
1952
AUS
Frank Sedgman
USA
Gardnar Mulloy
6–1, 6–2, 6–3
1953
USA
Tony Trabert
USA
Vic Seixas
6–3, 6–2, 6–3
1954
USA
Vic Seixas
AUS
Rex Hartwig
3–6, 6–2, 6–4, 6–4
1955
USA
Tony Trabert
AUS
Ken Rosewall
9–7, 6–3, 6–3
1956
AUS
Ken Rosewall
AUS
Lew Hoad
4–6, 6–2, 6–3, 6–3
1957
AUS
Malcolm Anderson
AUS
Ashley Cooper
10–8, 7–5, 6–4
1958
AUS
Ashley Cooper
AUS
Malcolm Anderson
6–2, 3–6, 4–6, 10–8, 8–6
1959
AUS
Neale Fraser
USA
Alex Olmedo
6–3, 5–7, 6–2, 6–4
1960
AUS
Neale Fraser
AUS
Rod Laver
6–4, 6–4, 9–7
1961
AUS
Roy Emerson
AUS
Rod Laver
7–5, 6–3, 6–2
1962
AUS
Rod Laver
AUS
Roy Emerson
6–2, 6–4, 5–7, 6–4
1963
MEX
Rafael Osuna
USA
Frank Froehling
7–5, 6–4, 6–2
1964
AUS
Roy Emerson
AUS
Fred Stolle
6–4, 6–2, 6–4
1965
ESP
Manuel Santana
RSA
Cliff Drysdale
6–2, 7–9, 7–5, 6–1
1966
AUS
Fred Stolle
AUS
John Newcombe
4–6, 12–10, 6–3, 6–4
1967
AUS
John Newcombe
USA
Clark Graebner
6–4, 6–4, 8–6
US Open
Jimmy Connors won the US Open five times.
John McEnroe won four of his seven Majors in New York City.
Pete Sampras took five titles in New York City.
Swiss Roger Federer won an Open Era record five consecutive titles at the US Open between 2004 and 2008.
Year[d]
Country
Champion
Country
Runner-up
Score in the final [ 3] [ 4]
1968
USA
Arthur Ashe [b]
NED
Tom Okker
14–12, 5–7, 6–3, 3–6, 6–3
1969
AUS
Rod Laver
AUS
Tony Roche
7–9, 6–1, 6–2, 6–2
1970
AUS
Ken Rosewall
AUS
Tony Roche
2–6, 6–4, 7–6(5–2) , 6–3[f]
1971
USA
Stan Smith
TCH
Jan Kodeš
3–6, 6–3, 6–2, 7–6(5–3)
1972
ROU
Ilie Năstase
USA
Arthur Ashe
3–6, 6–3, 6–7(1–5) , 6–4, 6–3
1973
AUS
John Newcombe
TCH
Jan Kodeš
6–4, 1–6, 4–6, 6–2, 6–3
1974
USA
Jimmy Connors
AUS
Ken Rosewall
6–1, 6–0, 6–1
1975
ESP
Manuel Orantes
USA
Jimmy Connors
6–4, 6–3, 6–3
1976
USA
Jimmy Connors
SWE
Björn Borg
6–4, 3–6, 7–6(11–9) , 6–4
1977
ARG
Guillermo Vilas
USA
Jimmy Connors
2–6, 6–3, 7–6(7–4) , 6–0
1978
USA
Jimmy Connors
SWE
Björn Borg
6–4, 6–2, 6–2
1979
USA
John McEnroe
USA
Vitas Gerulaitis
7–5, 6–3, 6–3
1980
USA
John McEnroe
SWE
Björn Borg
7–6(7–4) , 6–1, 6–7(5–7) , 5–7, 6–4
1981
USA
John McEnroe
SWE
Björn Borg
4–6, 6–2, 6–4, 6–3
1982
USA
Jimmy Connors
TCH
Ivan Lendl
6–3, 6–2, 4–6, 6–4
1983
USA
Jimmy Connors
TCH
Ivan Lendl
6–3, 6–7(2–7) , 7–5, 6–0
1984
USA
John McEnroe
TCH
Ivan Lendl
6–3, 6–4, 6–1
1985
TCH
Ivan Lendl
USA
John McEnroe
7–6(7–1) , 6–3, 6–4
1986
TCH
Ivan Lendl
TCH
Miloslav Mečíř
6–4, 6–2, 6–0
1987
TCH
Ivan Lendl
SWE
Mats Wilander
6–7(7–9) , 6–0, 7–6(7–4) , 6–4
1988
SWE
Mats Wilander
TCH
Ivan Lendl
6–4, 4–6, 6–3, 5–7, 6–4
1989
FRG
Boris Becker
TCH
Ivan Lendl
7–6(7–2) , 1–6, 6–3, 7–6(7–4)
1990
USA
Pete Sampras
USA
Andre Agassi
6–4, 6–3, 6–2
1991
SWE
Stefan Edberg
USA
Jim Courier
6–2, 6–4, 6–0
1992
SWE
Stefan Edberg
USA
Pete Sampras
3–6, 6–4, 7–6(7–5) , 6–2
1993
USA
Pete Sampras
FRA
Cédric Pioline
6–4, 6–4, 6–3
1994
USA
Andre Agassi
GER
Michael Stich
6–1, 7–6(7–5) , 7–5
1995
USA
Pete Sampras
USA
Andre Agassi
6–4, 6–3, 4–6, 7–5
1996
USA
Pete Sampras
USA
Michael Chang
6–1, 6–4, 7–6(7–3)
1997
AUS
Patrick Rafter
GBR
Greg Rusedski
6–3, 6–2, 4–6, 7–5
1998
AUS
Patrick Rafter
AUS
Mark Philippoussis
6–3, 3–6, 6–2, 6–0
1999
USA
Andre Agassi
USA
Todd Martin
6–4, 6–7(5–7) , 6–7(2–7) , 6–3, 6–2
2000
RUS
Marat Safin
USA
Pete Sampras
6–4, 6–3, 6–3
2001
AUS
Lleyton Hewitt
USA
Pete Sampras
7–6(7–4) , 6–1, 6–1
2002
USA
Pete Sampras
USA
Andre Agassi
6–3, 6–4, 5–7, 6–4
2003
USA
Andy Roddick
ESP
Juan Carlos Ferrero
6–3, 7–6(7–2) , 6–3
2004
SUI
Roger Federer
AUS
Lleyton Hewitt
6–0, 7–6(7–3) , 6–0
2005
SUI
Roger Federer
USA
Andre Agassi
6–3, 2–6, 7–6(7–1) , 6–1
2006
SUI
Roger Federer
USA
Andy Roddick
6–2, 4–6, 7–5, 6–1
2007
SUI
Roger Federer
SRB
Novak Djokovic
7–6(7–4) , 7–6(7–2) , 6–4
2008
SUI
Roger Federer
GBR
Andy Murray
6–2, 7–5, 6–2
2009
ARG
Juan Martín del Potro
SUI
Roger Federer
3–6, 7–6(7–5) , 4–6, 7–6(7–4) , 6–2
2010
ESP
Rafael Nadal
SRB
Novak Djokovic
6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–2
2011
SRB
Novak Djokovic
ESP
Rafael Nadal
6–2, 6–4, 6–7(3–7) , 6–1
2012
GBR
Andy Murray
SRB
Novak Djokovic
7–6(12–10) , 7–5, 2–6, 3–6, 6–2
Statistics
Multiple champions
A grass court match in Newport during the 1911 U.S. National Championships
Arthur Ashe Stadium has been the tournament's main court since 1997.
The main court during a 2008 quarterfinal encounter between Roddick and Djokovic
Event only for USNLTA club members only*
Title defended in the challenge round
Player
Amateur Era
Open Era
All-time
Years
William Larned (USA )
7
0
7
1901 , 1902 , 1907 , 1908 , 1909 , 1910 , 1911
Richard Sears (USA )
7
0
7
1881* , 1882 , 1883 , 1884 , 1885 , 1886 , 1887
Bill Tilden (USA )
7
0
7
1920 , 1921 , 1922 , 1923 , 1924 , 1925 , 1929
Jimmy Connors (USA )
0
5
5
1974 , 1976 , 1978 , 1982 , 1983
Pete Sampras (USA )
0
5
5
1990 , 1993 , 1995 , 1996 , 2002
Roger Federer (SUI ) +
0
5
5
2004 , 2005 , 2006 , 2007 , 2008
John McEnroe (USA )
0
4
4
1979 , 1980 , 1981 , 1984
Robert Wrenn (USA )
4
0
4
1893 , 1894 , 1896 , 1897
Oliver Campbell (USA )
3
0
3
1890 , 1891 , 1892
Ivan Lendl (TCH )
0
3
3
1985 , 1986 , 1987
Fred Perry (GBR )
3
0
3
1933 , 1934 , 1936
Malcolm Whitman (USA )
3
0
3
1898 , 1899 , 1900
Andre Agassi (USA )
0
2
2
1994 , 1999
Don Budge (USA )
2
0
2
1937 , 1938
Stefan Edberg (SWE )
0
2
2
1991 , 1992
Roy Emerson (AUS )
2
0
2
1961 , 1964
Neale Fraser (AUS )
2
0
2
1959 , 1960
Pancho Gonzales (USA )
2
0
2
1948 , 1949
Bill Johnston (USA )
2
0
2
1915 , 1919
Jack Kramer (USA )
2
0
2
1946 , 1947
René Lacoste (FRA )
2
0
2
1926 , 1927
Rod Laver (AUS )
1
1
2
1962 , 1969
Maurice McLoughlin (USA )
2
0
2
1912 , 1913
Lindley Murray (USA )
2
0
2
1917 , 1918
John Newcombe (AUS )
1
1
2
1967 , 1973
Frank Parker (USA )
2
0
2
1944 , 1945
Patrick Rafter (AUS )
0
2
2
1997 , 1998
Bobby Riggs (USA )
2
0
2
1939 , 1941
Ken Rosewall (AUS )
1
1
2
1956 , 1970
Frank Sedgman (AUS )
2
0
2
1951 , 1952
Henry Slocum (USA )
2
0
2
1888 , 1889
Tony Trabert (USA )
2
0
2
1953 , 1955
Ellsworth Vines (USA )
2
0
2
1931 , 1932
Richard Norris Williams (USA )
2
0
2
1914 , 1916
Champions by country
Other tournaments
Notes
a Known as the U.S. National Championships during the Amateur Era .[ 2] [ 4]
b The tournament entered the Open Era with the 1968 edition, allowing professional players to compete alongside amateurs .[ 3] [ 6]
c The US Open specifically uses DecoTurf hard courts, categorized as a "Medium" speed surface by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).[ 13]
d Each year is linked to an article about that particular event's draw.
e The 1917 U.S. National Championships , taking place during World War I, were held as a National Patriotic Tournament awarding no prize to the winner.[ 14]
f In 1970, 1971 and 1972 tiebreaks were "five point tiebreaks".
g All four Amateur Era wins by players from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801–1922).
h Czechoslovakia (TCH, 1918–1992), evolved into Czech Republic (CZE, 1992–present) and Slovakia (SVK, 1992–present).
i One win by a player from West Germany (FRG, 1949–1990).
References
General
Specific
^ "Tournament profile – US Open" . atpworldtour.com . ATP Tour, Inc. Retrieved 2009-07-05 .
^ a b c "History of the U.S. National Championships/US Open" . usopen.org . IBM , United States Tennis Association . Retrieved 2009-06-08 .
^ a b c d e f "History > Men's Singles Championships" . usopen.org . IBM , United States Tennis Association . Retrieved 2009-06-27 .
^ a b c d "US National/US Open Championships" (PDF) . usta.com . United States Tennis Association . Retrieved 2009-06-27 .
^ a b c d Axthelm, Pete (1967). Tennis observed: The USLTA men's singles champions, 1881–1966 . Barre Publishers.
^ a b "History > Year-by-Year History" . usopen.org . IBM , United States Tennis Association . Retrieved 2009-06-27 .
^ "Breaking with tradition" . The Age . The Age Company Ltd. 2004-01-25. Retrieved 2009-07-27 .
^ "Haas advocates 5th-set tiebreak" . ESPN.com . ESPN . 2009-06-27. Retrieved 2009-09-25 .
^ Adams, Susan B. (1998-08-30). "The U.S. Open: A Celebration – A Retrospective: The Men; Twin Pillars of Fire and Ice" . The New York Times . The New York Times Company . Retrieved 2009-07-14 .
^ Fendrich, Howard (2008-10-09). "Federer feels 'much better ... than I ever have' " . USA Today . Associated Press (AP). Retrieved 2009-06-24 .
^ "2009 Prize Money" . usopen.org . IBM , United States Tennis Association . Retrieved 2009-09-23 .
^ "Olympus US Open Series at a glance" . usopenseries.com . United States Tennis Association . 2009-05-26. Retrieved 2009-06-27 .
^ "List of Classified Court Surfaces" . itftennis.com . ITF Licensing. Retrieved 2009-08-01 .
^ Williams, Paul B. (1921). United States Lawn Tennis Association and the World War . United States National Lawn Tennis Association , Robert Hamilton company. OCLC 07888301 . Retrieved 2009-09-25 .
External links