USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

40°44′56.55″N 73°50′47.57″W / 40.7490417°N 73.8465472°W / 40.7490417; -73.8465472

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in the New York City borough of Queens and has been the home of the US Open Grand Slam tennis tournament played every year in August and September. There are 22 courts inside the facility and 11 in the adjoining park. The complex's three stadia are among the largest tennis stadia in the world, with Arthur Ashe Stadium topping the global list with a listed capacity of 23,200^[1]. All 33 courts have used the DecoTurf cushioned acrylic surface since the facility was built in 1978.

Located near Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets, the tennis center is open for play 11 months out of the year (closed during inclement weather and in August/September due to the US Open), barring tournaments the USTA holds (such as junior and wood-racket competitions). The center is open to the public for $16 per hour^[2].

On August 28, 2006, the USTA National Tennis Center was rededicated as the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, as tennis greats such as Martina Navratilova, Venus Williams, Chris Evert, John McEnroe, and Jimmy Connors looked on. It is the largest and most prestigious sports facility in the world to be named after a woman.

History

Creation

The idea of the tennis center came about in January, 1977 when W. E. "Slew" Hester (the incoming president of the USTA) saw the underused Singer Bowl / Louis Armstrong Stadium on a flight into New York's LaGuardia Airport. He asked New York City to let him use Louis Armstrong Stadium and adjoining land for a tennis facility to host the U.S. Open. The center opened in August, 1978^[3].

Expansion

With rumors of a possible move to San Diego, a major upgrade and expansion began in 1995. More land was committed to the USTA National Tennis Center, and Arthur Ashe Stadium replaced Louis Armstrong Stadium as the main court. Arthur Ashe Stadium holds more than 22,000 spectators while Louis Armstrong Stadium was downsized to hold just 10,000 spectators (the original size was 18,000) ^[4]. The Rossetti Architects designed Arthur Ashe Stadium is currently the largest tennis-only stadium in the world.

History Making Events

Basketball on a Tennis Court

On July 19, 2008, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and Arthur Ashe Stadium hosted its first ever non-tennis event, when the New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) played in the "Liberty Outdoor Classic: 2008". The game itself was a historic event as it was the first ever professional basketball regular season game ever played outdoors in the USA, by either men or women. The contest featured the Indiana Fever defeating the New York Liberty 71-55.

High School Tennis

USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is the site of every year's New York State High School tennis championships, held in May. This tournament is sponsored by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA)

References

Notes

^ The US Open - Grand Slam Tennis - Official Site - Seating Charts Accessed on 2008-12-13
^ Play at the USTA National Tennis Center, accessed August 1, 2006
^ Ashe & Armstrong Stadiums, accessed August 1, 2006
^ History of the USTA National Tennis Center, accessed August 1, 2006

External links

Preceded by West Side Tennis Club 1924-1977	Home of the U.S. Open 1978-	Succeeded by current venue

[1] The US Open - Grand Slam Tennis - Official Site - Seating Charts Accessed on 2008-12-13

[2] Play at the USTA National Tennis Center, accessed August 1, 2006

[3] Ashe & Armstrong Stadiums, accessed August 1, 2006

[4] History of the USTA National Tennis Center, accessed August 1, 2006

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