National Tennis Center Provides Construction Update
The USTA and the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center gave the media an update and a tour on the progress of the complex’s construction, and ensured that the roof over Arthur Ashe will be completed as well as the new 8,000 seat Grandstand.
During Monday’s walk-through, the USTA’s Chief Operating Officer Gordon Smith discussed how this will positively impact the U.S. Open.
“This is going to be a U.S. Open unlike any other,” said Smith. “It’s going to be a U.S. Open that everybody’s going to what to come to. Why is that? We’ve got a new movable roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium. We’ve got a new Grandstand with 8,000 of the best seats to watch tennis anywhere in the world. We’ve transformed the entire grounds. It will be better for fans, it will be better for players.”
Beyond Arthur Ashe Stadium and the Grandstand, the project completely rebuilt the south campus that had 10 field courts, adding in a new wide spectator boulevard that connects the new Grandstand to Court 17. The goal of this was to create more open space, shade, restrooms and a new food court near Grandstand in addition to the concessions on the current food court.
“What we heard from the fans more than anything is that they wanted open space and shade,” said Danny Zausner, Chief Operating Officer at the National Tennis Center. “And that’s what we are offering.
Following the 2016 U.S. Open, the project will continue to build on Louis Armstrong Stadium, adding a roof and increasing the seating to 14,000.
Credit photos to USTA
A look at the new retractable roof over Arthur Ashe stadium.
Workers pull the roof over the renovated Arthur Ashe Stadium.
An overhead look of the new Grandstand which will now 8,000 seats and be connected to Court 17.
The grounds of the National Tennis Center will have a fresh look for U.S. Opens to come.
