USTA gives old Grandstand one last hurrah at 2016 U.S. Open
A view of the Grandstand with Arthur Ashe Stadium in the background at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The old Grandstand has a new lease on life, for this year anyway.
The USTA has put the iconic court in play for the 2016 U.S. Open after originally intending it to be just for practice before it is torn down after the tournament ends.
“Although we previously announced that the old Grandstand would be a practice-only court for 2016, the USTA re-evaluated that decision in the offseason,” the organization reported in a statement. “We decided to outfit the Grandstand as a tournament court to ensure maximum flexibility for the 2016 U.S. Open.”
The USTA totally rebuilt their field courts for the Open this year. The playing surface of Court 10 did not meet competitive standards, so the old Grandstand comes in as a welcome substitute and gets to shine one last time. Seasoned spectators know the Grandstand will give them the most intimate of surroundings with a significant amount of shade.
More tennis
