us open history
us open history
With opening day on August 28, 2006, U.S. Open Tennis Tournament tickets are a must-have for tennis fans. After qualifying matches, which will take place Tuesday August 22nd through Friday, August 25th the tennis world will see who will be competing in the coveted competition. Qualifying matches as well as the actual tournament will be held on the courts in Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. Defending champions include the USA’s Rodger Federer in men’s singles, Kim Clijster from Belgium in the women’s singles, men’s doubles’ Bob and Mike Bryan, from the women’s doubles Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur and mixed doubles champions Daniela Hantuchova and Mahesh Bhupathi.
The U.S. Open is the fourth Grand Slam tennis tournament in line during the tennis season. Held annually around August and September, the U.S. Open consists of five championship tournaments: the men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and the mixed doubles. Keeping with tradition, the tournament has been held USTA National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York since 1978. With its hard-top courts, the stadium provides for incredibly, fast, high-paced tennis. The U.S. Open has formed from what were originally five separate tournaments the finally merged into one in 1968, known as the Open Era, to become the Grand Slam event it is today. Another benefit to the U.S. Open is that it is the only Grand Slam event with lighted courts, meaning games can carry on into primetime coverage, making it more available to the viewing audience. As of 2005, US Open and US Open Series Tennis courts were given blue inner courts and green inner courts. This served a dual purpose; to make the courts uniform and also to make the ball easier to see.
This year, new technology arrives on the courts of the U.S. Open, adding to the intensity of the game. For the first in any Grand Slam tournament event, instant-replay technology will be available for all matches during the Open. Also, player challenges will be allowed on referee calls. Each player will receive two challenges per set to review line calls. If their challenge is correct, they will retain the same number of challenges. However, if it is found wrong, they will lose one of their challenges. Chief Executive of Professional Tennis, UTSA Arlen Kantarian commented, “With the speed and power of today’s game, the time has come for tennis players to benefit from new technology - - while adding to the fan experience.”
With new rules and exciting technology, U.S. Open Tennis Tournament tickets are sure to be a hot-ticket item in the tennis world this season. Rising stars and veteran players alike are sure to make the championship intense and exciting with fast-paced playing and passionate attitudes. As the tournament quickly approaches, U.S. Open tickets will no doubt be in short supply as soon as they hit ticket stands.
