August 14, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Eric C. Peck
The USTA is set to build a retractable roof over the center court at Arthur Ashe Stadium as part of major renovations to the U.S. Open venue in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Bad weather has plagued the Open over the past few years, canceling full days of the event and condensing the schedule down to the point where back to back matches on consecutive days was beginning to jeopardize the health of the players. Despite frequent calls for a roof, last year the organization ruled out including one as part of the redevelopment, citing logistical issues.
The center courts at Wimbledon and the Australian Open have retractable roofs, while the French Open has announced plans to cover its main court.
Arthur Ashe Stadium has a capacity of 22,500, making it the largest tennis stadium in the world. The scale of the arena has been one of the main logistical challenges that has emerged from previous feasibility studies with the USTA previously saying a roof would be "technically complex and financially challenging."
