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.
In this edition, we're looking back on a moment in the all-time annals of wheelchair tennis: in 2017, these competitors took their talents to Ashe for the first time.
Since the US Open Wheelchair Championships presented by Deloitte first came to Flushing Meadows in 2005, the competition has seen its fair share of historic moments and electric performances—from the dominance of surefire Hall of Famers Shingo Kunieda, Esther Vergeer and David Wagner, to the next generation of champions like Alfie Hewett, Sam Schroder and Niels Vink crowned in singles and doubles more recently.
The 2017 event, the 10th edition of the Open's championships, had both. After a year's hiatus—the wheelchair US Open was not held in 2012 or 2016 due to scheduling conflicts with the Paralympics—the world's best players returned to New York, and for the first time, played on the Open's biggest stage. In prior years, wheelchair matches were played around the grounds, and other stadiums including Grandstand.
Not one, but two doubles matches were played in Ashe on Thursday, Sept. 7—Day 11 of the 2017 US Open—featuring a star-studded roster: Brits Hewett and Gordon Reid defeated Kunieda and Gustavo Fernandez in the men's doubles semifinals, before top-ranked American Dana Mathewson and former US Open winner Aniek van Koot upset No. 2 seeds Yui Kamiji and Lucy Shuker in a thrilling three-setter in the women's bracket.
Getting the call to play in the 23,000-seat arena left 2013 US Open singles and doubles champion van Koot stunned. "When my coach texted me and told me I was playing on Ashe, I laughed," she said. "I couldn't believe it. I was thrilled."
"It was a pinch-me moment when I found out," Mathewson added. "To get my first Grand Slam win in Ashe and in my home country, it feels great."
Later that week, Hewett and Reid went on to win their first US Open title together, but being the first wheelchair players to compete in Ashe was an honor not lost of the future champions.
“It was incredible to have that opportunity as wheelchair players. It shows the respect that wheelchair tennis is gaining,” Reid said. "It’s probably the nicest court I played on, so for me, it really is the stuff that dreams are made of. Hopefully, it’s not the last time.”
As it turned out, it wouldn't be: Hewett and Reid won the 2018 and 2020 US Open titles in Ashe, too. They'll arrive in New York this summer the winners of five straight men's wheelchair doubles titles and in search of a sixth.
Five years after this game-changing moment for tennis, more history is set to be made in 2022: The 2022 US Open Wheelchair Championships presented by Deloitte will not only boast the largest player field in Grand Slam history, but will also feature the first-ever junior wheelchair competition at a Grand 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.
