US Open 2026 - Part 1
Updated: Aug 31
History, courts, and characteristics of hard courts in New York
High-TechSociety.com | By Luiz Cincurá | Cite
The 2026 US Open has already begun. Held in New York , the last of the four Grand Slam tournaments of the season takes place this year between August 23 and September 13 , bringing together the biggest names in world tennis at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens.
Although the event officially opened on August 23, the main draw for men's and women's singles will only begin on August 30 .
The first week is called Fan Week and includes, among other activities, the qualifying tournament, in which players compete for the last available spots in the main draws. The workings of this qualifying process will be discussed in another part of this series.
In 2026, the US Open will feature 22 days of tennis and entertainment , the longest competition schedule in the event's history.
The US Open is the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament held each season, following the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon. These four tournaments occupy prominent positions on the international tennis calendar.
The four Grand Slams
Although they belong to the same category, the four Grand Slams have their own characteristics regarding history, location, court surface, and the identity of each competition.
A story that began in the 19th century.
The history of the US Open began long before the creation of the current structure of professional tennis.
The first edition of what was then the US National Championship was held in 1881 at the Newport Casino in Rhode Island . The men's singles competition was played on grass and initially brought together amateur players affiliated with clubs belonging to the United States National Tennis Association.
Over the following decades, the tournament underwent changes of location and reflected the transformation of tennis itself.
In 1915 , the competition was moved to the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York. After a period between 1921 and 1923 in Philadelphia , it returned to Forest Hills, where it remained until 1977.
One of the most important moments in its history occurred in 1968 , the first year of the so-called Open Era of tennis , which began when major tournaments started allowing the participation of professional players , who had previously been barred from competing in amateur-only competitions. This change remains in effect to this day. The word " Open " itself is related to this opening of tournaments to the participation of professionals as well.
That same year, the first edition under the name US Open was held, won in the men's singles tournament by American Arthur Ashe , whose name, decades later, would be given to the main stadium of the competition.
The opening to professionals did not, however, mean the exclusion of amateurs. Professionals and amateurs can compete in the same competition, without separate brackets based on that status , as long as they obtain a spot according to the criteria established for the tournament.
The status of amateur is also not linked to a specific age range: players of different ages can compete as amateurs , as long as they meet the necessary sporting requirements to participate.
From Forest Hills to Flushing Meadows
The growth of tennis and its audience has made the Forest Hills facilities insufficient for the new dimensions reached by the US Open.
In 1978 , the tournament moved to Flushing Meadows, Queens , and was held at its current complex, later named the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center .
The transfer represented more than just a change of address. The tournament was leaving the structure of a traditional club and moving to a large complex set up in a public park in New York, expanding its capacity to accommodate players and spectators.
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center features 22 outdoor hard courts , including Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, and the Grandstand, as well as 12 courts in the adjacent Flushing Meadows–Corona Park and 12 indoor courts , totaling 46 tennis courts that support the US Open infrastructure .
Stylized illustrative image, produced using artificial intelligence.
Currently, its main venue is the Arthur Ashe Stadium , which opened in 1997. With a capacity of over 23,000 seats , it is the largest tennis stadium in the world.
The complex also features other important venues for matches, including the Louis Armstrong Stadium and the Grandstand , as well as several courts used during the competition.
A Grand Slam that has already been played on three different types of court surfaces.
One historical characteristic distinguishes the US Open from other Grand Slam tournaments: it is the only one that has been played on all three main surface categories used in tennis .
From 1881 to 1974 , the tournament was held on grass . Between 1975 and 1977 , Forest Hills used Har-Tru , known as green clay . Finally, with the move to Flushing Meadows in 1978 , the US Open adopted hard courts , which have been used ever since.
His career even produced a unique achievement. American Jimmy Connors managed to win the US Open on all three surfaces: grass in 1974 ; green clay in 1976 ; and hard court in 1978. He would later go on to win the titles in 1982 and 1983 .
Since 2020 , the US Open courts have used the Laykold surface system .
How does the ball behave on the US Open court?
Simply stating that the US Open is played on hard courts doesn't fully explain how the surface affects the game.
Different hard courts can exhibit different speeds, depending on factors such as surface composition and texture. At the US Open, Laykold courts utilize a multi-layered acrylic coating system applied over a rigid asphalt or concrete base.
The composition and texture of this surface influence important characteristics for tennis, such as friction, bounce, and the speed of the ball after contact with the court. At the US Open, the aim is to maintain these characteristics uniform across the different courts of the complex, providing players with more consistent and predictable playing conditions.
The current characteristics of the court surface favor a fast-paced game . After contact with the surface, the ball maintains enough speed to encourage aggressive shots and reduce the time available for the opponent's response.
This emphasizes efficient serves, quick returns, powerful and precise shots, and the ability to attack at the right moment . At the same time, the consistent bounce allows for long rallies at the baseline , making the hard surface an environment where different playing styles can find space.
Movement is also crucial. Starting, slowing down, braking, and successive changes of direction require speed, balance, coordination, and physical endurance.
Therefore, the surface area alone does not determine who will have an advantage. Technique, strategy, power, movement, and adaptability remain fundamental.
New York and the identity of the US Open
The US Open has also acquired characteristics that resonate with the city in which it is held.
New York is multicultural and one of the world's largest metropolises, characterized by the intense circulation of people and a dynamic urban life, with a wide range of sporting, artistic and entertainment activities.
In this environment, the US Open has developed its own unique atmosphere. Large stadiums, night sessions, a large and engaged audience, and the integration of sport and entertainment contribute to an experience unlike that found in other Grand Slam tournaments.
The vibrant atmosphere of New York thus finds a particular expression during the US Open . For a few weeks, Flushing Meadows transforms into one of the great meeting points of world tennis, bringing together players and spectators of different nationalities.
This integration of sporting tradition, innovation, and the New York atmosphere helps build the tournament's contemporary identity. More than a century after the first competition held in Newport, the US Open preserves its historical importance while keeping pace with the transformations of tennis and strengthening its relationship with players, spectators, and the city itself.
By Luiz Cincurá
Founder and Editor
Editorial transparency: This article was produced with the support of ChatGPT during the research and preliminary content organization stages. The definition of the editorial approach, critical analysis, technical review, and final writing were carried out by the Editor, who is ultimately responsible for the published content.
Sources Consulted:
US Open:
Tournament Schedule 2026
Year by Year
Laykold selected as US Open court surface
Fan Week/Qualifying Tournament
USTA - United States Tennis Association:
Billie Jean King National Tennis Center – Our Campuses
ITF - International Tennis Federation:
2026 Official Grand Slam Rule Book
How to cite this publication:
ANDRADE, Luiz Inácio Caribé Cincurá de. US Open 2026 – Part 1: History, courts and characteristics of hard courts in New York. High-Tech Society, August 26, 2026. Available at: https://www.high-techsociety.com/post/us-open-2026-parte-1
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