New Upgrades at the 2015 U.S. Open
The USTA has announced a series of physical improvements, fan and player upgrades, and new sponsor activations that will be unveiled at the 2015 U.S. Open. The main draw of the tournament begins Monday, Aug. 31 and concludes Sunday, Sept. 13, with qualifying starting on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Strategic transformation of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
â–ºRoof superstructure over Arthur Ashe Stadium
More than 6,000 tons of steel now surround Arthur Ashe Stadium in a technological first–constructing a stand-alone support system for a retractable roof over an existing stadium. With the final piece of steel placed in late spring, the structure that ultimately will hold the retractable roof is now in place. At the conclusion of the 2015 U.S. Open, work will continue on the two retractable panels, as well as the installation of a chilled water ventilation system to control humidity inside the Stadium when the roof is closed, so that the retractable roof will be ready for the 2016 U.S. Open. When the roof becomes fully operational, it will be the largest of any tennis stadium in the world, with a 62,500-square-foot opening. Six thousand tons of steel form the superstructure, which contains 1,700 structural beams and 115,000 bolts. A total of 176 steel and concrete-filled pilings, driven 180 feet below the surface, anchor the 24 steel columns which rise 150 feet above ground to support the superstructure.
â–ºTechnological upgrades elevate the in-Stadium experience
The completion of the roof superstructure has allowed the USTA to upgrade all technologies within Arthur Ashe Stadium including the lights, sound and video boards. In 2015, a total of four big screens (up from two) will be utilized in the stadium. Additionally, an LED lighting system has replaced the former light towers, providing sharper, more energy-efficient lighting for competitive play. Finally, a completely new sound system has been installed throughout the stadium taking advantage of the roof trusses and catwalks.
â–ºGrandstand construction
Construction has begun on a new 8,000 seat Grandstand and a new food village in the southwest corner of the campus; both are slated to open in 2016. The Grandstand will provide a one-of-a-kind fan viewing experience in a completely modern and state-of-the-art stadium setting.
â–ºWest Stadium Courts and Practice Gallery
An immediate fan sensation in 2014, the West Stadium Courts and Practice Gallery will continue to be one of the most desirable fan areas in 2015. With seating for more than 3,000, fans can watch tournament action, as well as the top seeds practicing. The West Stadium Courts also will be the home of the second annual American Collegiate Invitational, which will take place from Thursday, Sept. 10, through Saturday, Sept. 12.
Fan enhancements at the 2015 U.S. Open
â–º“Doubles on Us” at the U.S. Open (Thursday, Sept. 10)
For the first time at the U.S. Open, complimentary grounds admission will be offered to all fans who come during the day of the tournament’s second Thursday, Sept. 10. The day’s action will be filled with doubles play, including the Men’s Doubles Semifinals and Women’s Doubles Semifinals, as well as semifinal action in the Champions Invitational, a showcase of former Grand Slam tournament champions and finalists. The free grounds admission also will enable fans to watch competition in the American Collegiate Invitational, featuring top American collegiate players, taking place on the West Stadium Courts. Also on that day’s slate, the world’s top boys and girls will be competing in the U.S. Open Junior Championships; and top wheelchair athletes will see action in the U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Competition.
â–ºReturn to traditional Grand Slam schedule
For 2015, the U.S. Open returns to a traditional 14-day Grand Slam tournament schedule, with the men’s first round being completed over two days rather than three. The new schedule calls for the women’s singles semifinals to be played the evening of Thursday, Sept. 10, and the men’s singles semifinals to be played on Friday, Sept. 11. Finals Weekend begins with the women’s singles championship on Saturday, Sept. 12, and concludes with the men’s singles championship on Sunday, Sept. 13.
â–ºU.S. Open American Express Fan Experience
Now in its fifth year, the US Open American Express Fan Experience has been completely overhauled with new technological features. One of the new offerings is “You vs. Sharapova,” where virtual reality technology and computer generated images filmed with Sharapova allows fans to play a pro at the top of her game in this simulated game. Fans will be able to try their hand at returning Sharapova’s serves, volley against her and more. Also, with “Epic Matchup,” fans and their friends will be able to star in their very own shareable video simulating a rally from the baseline in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
â–ºCharging stations presented by Chase
To help fans stay connected throughout the day, long-time partner Chase will be providing complimentary charging stations for phones and tablets throughout the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The stations will be located in a dedicated Chase booth near the Food Village, in the South Plaza, and on the Club Level of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
â–ºNew food offerings
Lavazza coffee, Jacob’s Creek wines and Juice Press cold-pressed juices join the U.S. Open as Official Suppliers. They will be offering their products to fans on-site, and U.S. Open-themed advertising will be visible in the New York metro area. Lavazza, the exclusive coffee of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, will be integrated into the on-site food and beverage experience. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase Lavazza’s coffee drinks at the new Lavazza Cafés located in the food village and south plaza, as well as at the many restaurants, concessions and hospitality areas located throughout the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Jacob’s Creek, the Official Wine of the U.S. Open, will feature its Two Lands product at the US Open. The wines will be available to tennis fans at a number of on-site locations throughout the tournament. Juice Press, a local favorite, will be on-site throughout the 2015 U.S. Open selling a selection of their USDA certified organic bottled juices and smoothies to fans. Additionally, Juice Press will have the unique opportunity to serve product to players and their guests in the U.S. Open Player Dining area.
â–ºArthur Ashe Kids’ Day, presented by Hess
For the 20th consecutive year, Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Hess, the world’s biggest tennis and entertainment celebration kicks off the US Open on Saturday, Aug. 29, airing for the first time on the ESPN Network on Sunday, Aug. 30 from 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2. This celebration of Arthur Ashe and his legacy both on and off the court is hosted by fitness guru Shaun T, and features five former U.S. Open champions including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and defending champions Marin Cilic and Serena Williams. Musical acts who join the ranks of past Kids’ Day featured artists such as Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Jonas Brothers and more, include: Bea Miller, Kalin and Myles, Jacob Whitesides, Natalie La Rose and American Authors.
â–ºU.S. Open entertainment
Internationally renowned singer-songwriter Josh Groban will perform at the Opening Night Ceremony in Arthur Ashe Stadium prior to the evening session on Monday, Aug. 31. Groban will be accompanied by 16 musicians and perform a medley from his recent release, “Stages.” Following Groban’s performance, noted actress and performer Vanessa Williams will perform the National Anthem. Her performance will be accompanied by honor guards representing the NYPD and FDNY.
â–ºNightly light show
The USTA has installed new lighting trusses in each of the upper concourse entryways in order to conduct a nightly light show which will highlight the steel truss and catwalk system now surrounding Arthur Ashe Stadium. The light show will take place between the two evening matches in concert with the performance of “America the Beautiful” by the USTA’s Casting Call winners.
â–ºOriginal Nine celebration
USTA Chairman of the Board and President Katrina Adams will celebrate the “Original Nine,” the nine women responsible for helping to form the original professional women’s tennis tour, which ultimately evolved into the WTA as we know it today. The celebration will include a special video tribute as well as on-court recognition of these athletic pioneers.
U.S. Open television
â–ºESPN … new partnership
This is the first year that ESPN will be the exclusive live domestic media partner of the U.S. Open. Over the course of the 2015 U.S. Open, ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to air more than 130 hours of live match play with more than 1,100 hours of first-to-last ball coverage to be seen on ESPN3, which also will be available on the U.S. Open official Web site, USOpen.org. ESPN will enhance its coverage with a host of cutting-edge camera systems in Arthur Ashe Stadium, including the return of Spider-Cam (to be used for the first time during the entire tournament), a new rail-cam contained within the southern baseline wall and freeD replay technology for the first time at a Grand Slam event.
â–ºIncreased coverage: 11 courts
In an expansion of its prior U.S. Open coverage, ESPN will feature play from 11 courts (up from seven last year). New TV courts this year include Courts 4, 6, 7 and 10, which will be available for viewing over the first five days of the tournament.
â–ºComprehensive schedule
ESPN will kick off its U.S. Open coverage on Sunday, Aug. 30 with Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Hess at 1:00 p.m. and live SportsCenter at the U.S. Open at 2:00 p.m. ET—both on ESPN2. Daily coverage commences on Monday, Aug. 31 at 11:00 a.m. on ESPN3, 1:00 p.m. on ESPN and 6:00 p.m. on ESPN2 (all times Eastern). In addition, ESPN2 will deliver wall-to-wall coverage of Labor Day weekend from 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. each day. Finals Weekend will culminate with the men’s singles final returning to its traditional Sunday (Sept. 13) afternoon timeslot and the women’s singles final on Saturday (Sept. 12) afternoon—both finals will air on ESPN. The men’s singles semifinals will take place on Friday (Sept. 11) afternoon, with the women’s singles semifinals scheduled for primetime on the second Thursday (Sept. 10) night of the tournament—also on ESPN.
U.S. Open digital/social media
â–ºLive streaming
The Web site USOpen.org will be utilizing ESPN3 for live streaming, with more than 1,100 hours of live streaming of all TV courts on ESPN3 and through the U.S. Open app—providing a “digital grounds pass” for tennis fans.
â–ºU.S. Open live show
Fans can tune in to USOpen.org every morning at 10:45 a.m. EST to “Inside the Baseline,” presented by IBM for a look ahead to all the day’s matches and tune in each evening at 7:00 p.m. EST to “Beyond the Baseline,” presented by Westin Hotels & Resorts for an inside look at what goes on behind the scenes at the U.S. Open. Fans in attendance at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center can stop by the Baseline Stage each morning and evening for the live taping.
â–ºOpen Access
Open Access is a new fan enhancement available for all U.S. Open patrons, allowing them streamlined access to various activation points around the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The Open Access program allows fans to register to participate in activities ranging from customized photo opportunities to interactive games. Fans will receive a QR Code that they will be able to scan at each location, and will receive an e-mail with access to their own personal Web page that will showcase their U.S. Open experience. Just for signing up for Open Access, all fans are entered to win tickets to the 2016 U.S. Open men’s or women’s finals, and the more they scan their QR Code on site, the more chances they have to win a U.S. Open Ultimate Fan Pack.
â–ºTwitter Mirror
For the first time, U.S. Open fans can enjoy behind-the-scenes photos and GIFs from a new, mobile version of the Twitter Mirror. Numerous versions of the product—from handheld Mirrors to a stationary stand—will capture exclusive content of players and celebrities on-site throughout the tournament.
â–ºU.S. Open streak challenge
Fans can play along with the U.S. Open Streak Challenge presented by Esurance and test their U.S. Open tennis knowledge with two questions every day about players, matches and tournament stats. Keep answering correctly and fans will add to their streak and move up the leaderboard.
â–ºBloggers/influencers
To further engage multi-cultural audiences, the USTA has partnered with five diverse bloggers and social media influencers to showcase the U.S. Open from their own unique perspective to their respective social followings, providing special editorial content and imagery, while also extending a special ticket offer to invite these audiences to experience the U.S. Open on their own. These influencers include Fashion Bomb Daily, Jacob Santiago, Black and Married With Kids, Kyrzada and Street Etiquette.
