This year, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the US Open, we’re counting down the 50 most memorable moments in the history of America’s Grand Slam. Today, we take a look back at No. 34.
Above all else, the 2005 US Open will be recollected by many people in the tennis community for the sparkling title runs made by Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters, two of the sports most revered individuals.
It will be remembered nearly as much for the astonishing journey to the final by Andre Agassi. He won three five-set matches before an inspired Federer brought him down in four hard-fought sets.
But there was a development that year that transcended the players and the results. The color of the hard courts was changed from green to blue, providing better visibility for the fans, making it easier for the players to see the ball and allowing television viewers to track the ball more easily on their screens.
By virtue of that cosmetic alteration, the US Open became a more attractive place for the players to compete and the fans to observe. The move was greeted favorably by the vast majority of the players. As Kim Clijsters once said, “The blue, it’s a good blue. I can just really focus on the ball better."
And as Roger Federer told Ben Rothenberg of The New York Times, “Blue is better on the eye [than green]. I think it’s important that you see the ball properly on TV.”
Join the celebration. Share your favorite on/off-court moments from the US Open using hashtag #USOpen50, and be sure to tag @usopen to be featured here.
