When Arthur Ashe Stadium opened its gates in 1997, it simultaneously opened a new era for the US Open. The arena, named for one of tennis’ all-time champions and grandest ambassadors, quickly established itself as the game’s greatest stage; a spectacular centerpiece for an event whose global appeal had spurred its remarkable growth. With its 23,000-plus seats, Arthur Ashe Stadium allowed more fans the chance to witness first-hand the tournament’s singular sizzle, while simultaneously affording the game’s greatest talents a fitting floorboard upon which to showcase their incredible talents. Like its host city, Arthur Ashe Stadium is unapologetically large and loud; the electricity generated within its high walls creating a wave of energy that has come to define the US Open as an event unlike any other. It is as iconic as the man for whom it is named.
In the 25 years since Arthur Ashe Stadium opened, this grand arena has hosted countless memorable moments—many of them integral pieces in constructing the US Open’s global reputation as one of the world’s most spectacular sporting events. So many great matches; so much incomparable drama; so much unforgettable magic.
Throughout the summer leading up to the 2022 US Open, USOpen.org will recount 25 of the most memorable moments from these 25 years of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Some obvious; others, less so; every one of them helped establish this unequaled arena as our game’s greatest stage.
To kick off the series, we're taking a look back at the Ashe's grand opening on Aug. 25, 1997.
In 1978, when the US Open left behind the serene surroundings of Forest Hills for the urban sprawl of Flushing Meadows, it did nothing less than change the face of the event. No longer did the US Open belong to the country club. It now belonged to the country. The explosion in the Open’s popularity was almost immediate, with larger and larger crowds making the pilgrimage to Flushing each year. And as those crowds grew, the time-worn Louis Armstrong Stadium, which had served as the centerpiece of the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, could no longer adequately serve as the showcase stadium for an event that had become a global sensation.
This grand event would require an equally-grand main stage.
On August 25, 1997, the US Open got just that, with the opening of Arthur Ashe Stadium: an iconic arena named for an equally-iconic champion. With more than 23,000 seats, Arthur Ashe Stadium became not only the largest arena in tennis, but also a noisy, gritty, grand showcase that could generate electricity at a rate matched only by the most prolific of power plants. This wasn’t just a centerpiece, it was a masterpiece; a particularly super superstructure designed to showcase a new generation of players to a new generation of fans.
Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn won the first-ever match in Arthur Ashe Stadium on that day, defeating American Chanda Rubin. A young player of some promise, 17-year-old Venus Williams, made her US Open debut during the day session as well, scoring her first career US Open win over Latvian Larisa Neiland en route to her first major final. And American Todd Martin became the first man to win a match in Ashe, upsetting countryman Jim Courier to wrap up Ashe’s inaugural day session.
But it was that evening, fittingly, that gave us our first taste of the singular excitement of night sessions in Ashe, beginning with an opening ceremony to which every living U.S. Championships/Open champion was invited. In all, 38 of them took part in that grand occasion.
Indeed, there were nearly as many stars on the court as there were in the sky, which exploded with fireworks as singer Whitney Houston serenaded the packed house with her song, “One Moment in Time,” which she dedicated to Ashe. Ashe’s widow, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, and John McEnroe each served up gracious and heartfelt speeches. Monica Seles and Pete Sampras were the opening evening’s headliners; each winning in straight sets.
But the atmosphere and electricity first generated on that evening still resonate to this day, and those elements remain key ingredients in defining the US Open experience.
A quarter of a century later, there is still nothing in this sport—or most others—quite like an evening under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium; the greatest stage of the Grandest Slam.
What's in store for our grandest stage this summer? Join us and find out. The 2022 US Open main draw begins on Aug. 29 and runs through Sept. 11. Individual tickets and ticket plans are on sale now at Ticketmaster.
