US OPEN NATIONAL PLAYOFFS

Transcription

1 US OPEN NATIONAL PLAYOFFS The US Open National Playoffs began in 2010 as an effort to give everyone and anyone age 14 and older a chance to compete in the US Open. It started with a men s and a women s competition and, in 2011, added a mixed doubles event. The US Open National Playoffs is composed of sectional qualifying tournaments held in USTA sections nationwide during the spring and summer. The winners or top finishers from each of the sectional qualifying tournaments advance to the US Open National Playoffs s Singles, s Singles and Mixed Doubles Championships, held in conjunction with the Connecticut Open, an Emirates Airline US Open Series event. The winners of the men s and women s championships earn a wild card into the US Open Qualifying Tournament, held the week prior to the US Open. The mixed doubles champions earn a wild card into the US Open main draw. The sectional qualifying tournaments are open to anyone and everyone age 14 years and older with a passion to compete amateurs and professionals alike regardless of NTRP rating, nationality or prior experience. The sectional draws are limited to 256 players for singles and 128 teams for doubles. A USTA member may play in one sectional qualifying tournament during a calendar year in each division, and players competing in men s singles or women s singles and mixed doubles can opt to compete at different sectional qualifiers (one for singles and one for mixed doubles). In 2014, there were 13 sectional qualifying tournaments. The first sectional tournament began on May 17 at the Scottsdale Ranch Park in Scottsdale, Ariz., with the Southwest Sectional Qualifying Tournament, and the final sectional qualifier closed in late June with the Texas event at the Arlington Tennis Center in Arlington, Tex., the Southern tournament at Lifetime Fitness at Peachtree Corners in Norcross, Ga., and the Missouri Valley event at the Homestead Country Club in Prairie Village, Kan. There was a total of 1,458 entries in the 2014 US Open National Playoffs, consisting of 1,235 players 723 in men's singles, 365 in women's singles, and 370 in mixed doubles. Year Mixed Doubles 2013 Jeff Dadamo (USA) Mayo Hibi (JPN) Yasmin Schnack (USA) / Eric Roberson (USA) 2012 Clement Reix (FRA) Alexandra Mueller (USA) Nicole Melichar (USA) / Brian Battistone (USA) 2011 Blake Strode (USA) Robin Anderson (USA) Christina Fusano (USA) / David Martin (USA) 2010 Blake Stroke (USA) Alexandra Mueller (USA) N/A 53

2 2014 US OPEN NATIONAL PLAYOFFS SECTIONAL QUALIFYING ACTIVITIES HISTORY Section s Winner s Winner Mixed Doubles Winner USTA Eastern Phillip Simmonds Rima Asatrian Simona Weymar/Hleb Maslau Age: 28 Age: 18 Ages: 23/24 Selden, NY Tenafly, NJ Southampton, NY/Southampton, NY USTA Florida Jeff Dadamo Liz Jeukeng Brittany Dubins/William Federhofer Age: 24 Age: 18 Ages: 22/23 Tampa, FL Kansas City, MO North Miami, FL/North Miami, FL USTA Mid-Atlantic Alexander Centenari Skylar Morton Jessica Keener/Matt Stillwagon Age: 24 Age: 20 Ages: 27/29 Towson, MD Bethesda, MD Leesburg, VA/Leesburg, VA USTA Middle States Punch Maleka Jennifer Elie Lindsay Graff/Ilia Shatashvili Age: 35 Age: 27 Ages: 21/26 King of Prussia, PA Fresh Meadows, NY Princeton, NJ/Princeton, NJ USTA Midwest Ronnie Schneider Denise Muresan Katarina Milinkovic/Bartosz Jozwiak Age: 19 Age: 24 Ages: 25/25 Bloomington, IN Lincolnshire, IL Chicago, IL/Chicago, IL USTA Missouri Valley Sanam Singh Asia Muhammad Nicole Melichar/Patrick Smith Age: 26 Age: 23 Ages: 20/29 Charlottesville, VA Las Vegas, NV Stuart, FL/Roeland Park, KS USTA New England Jesse Witten Caitlin Whoriskey Riza Zalameda/Max Schnur Age: 31 Age: 26 Ages: 28/21 Naples, FL East Sandwich, MA New York, NY/Richmond, VA USTA Northern Wyatt McCoy Jessie Aney Heather Nobler/Zachary Northey Age: 21 Age: 16 Ages: 30/21 Shoreview, MN Rochester, MN Lincoln, NE/Lincoln, NE USTA No. California David Hsu Michaela Gordon Ena Shibahara/Shuhei Shibahara Age: 18 Age: 14 Ages: 16/21 San Jose, CA Saratoga, CA Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (both) USTA Southern Maxx Lipman Julie Ditty Natalie Pluskota/Ricky Doverspike Age: 19 Age: 35 Ages: 24/24 Nashville, TN Ashland, KY Sharpsburg, GA/Johns Creek, GA USTA So. California Daniel McCall Kelly Chen Kaitlyn Christian/West Nott Age: 21 Age: 15 Ages: 22/32 San Francisco, CA Cerritos, CA Orange, CA/Los Angeles, CA USTA Southwest Chris Wettengel Jacqueline Cako Jacqueline Cako/Joel Kielbowicz Age: 32 Age: 22 Ages: 22/31 Bentonville, AR Brier, WA Brier, WA/Scottsdale, AZ USTA Texas Henry Gordon Ashley Weinhold Malika Rose/Brady Bohrnstedt Age: 17 Age: 25 Ages: 22/22 New Braunfels, TX Spicewood, TX Davie, FL/Fate, TX * Listed age is the age of the winner at the completion of his/her sectional qualifying tournament Hometowns listed reflect the residence listed on the participant s entry form, not the participant s nationality All players listed above are American unless otherwise noted 54

3 EMIRATES AIRLINE US OPEN SERIES BONUS CHALLENGE Launching its second decade in 2014, the Emirates Airline US Open Series consists of 200 of the world s top players competing in the five-week summer tennis season that links eight North American hard court tournaments to the US Open. The Emirates Airline US Open Series is a true regular season of hard court tennis, with a race to the top and a champion at the end. The driving force is the Emirates Airline US Open Series Bonus Challenge. Throughout the summer, the top finishers in each of the Series events rack up points, based on their performance, with the top three men s finishers and the top three women s finishers getting the chance to earn bonus money at the 2014 US Open. In 2013, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal both won the Emirates Airline US Open Series and the US Open, the first time in the 10-year history of the US Open Series that a woman and a man pulled off the Series-US Open double in the same year. Williams and Nadal each collected $3.6 million for their triumphs, the largest single payouts in tennis history. Previously, two other players had taken top honors in the Series and followed up with a US Open title. Kim Clijsters was the first, winning three of the five Series women s events in 2005 before capturing her first Grand Slam tournament crown at the US Open. Two years later, in 2007, Roger Federer claimed the Series and then won his fourth of five consecutive US Open titles. *See page 58 for complete Series prize money breakdown US Open Prize Money + Emirates Airline US Open Series Bonus Prize Money To Top Three Series Finishers Base 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place US Open Finish Prize Money Finisher Finisher Finisher Winner $3,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,500,000 $3,250,000 Finalist 1,450,000 1,950,000 1,700,000 1,575,000 Semifinalists 730, , , ,500 Quarterfinalists 370, , , ,500 APPOINTMENT TELEVISION The Emirates Airline US Open Series has made it easier for fans to connect with the game thanks to live national television coverage throughout the summer by featuring more than 80 hours of live coverage on ESPN2 and WatchESPN, 135 hours of Series programming on Tennis Channel and the Winston-Salem Open final on CBS Sports. The Series, combined with the US Open, will deliver more than 425 hours of live coverage to tennis fans during the summer tennis Open Season. INNOVATIONS Bonus prize money and more tennis on TV are but two of the many improvements fostered by the Emirates Airline US Open Series. The Series was the stage for the introduction of US Open Blue tennis courts and the Chase Review electronic line calling challenge system, both of which are now copied on tennis courts and in tournaments around the world. 55

4 2014 EMIRATES AIRLINE US OPEN SERIES S (ATP World Tour) BB&T Atlanta Open Atlanta, Georgia Citi Open Washington, D.C. Rogers Cup Toronto, Canada Western & Southern Open Cincinnati, Ohio Winston-Salem Open Winston-Salem, North Carolina (WTA) Bank of the West Classic Stanford, California Rogers Cup Montreal, Canada Western & Southern Open Cincinnati, Ohio Connecticut Open New Haven, Connecticut EMIRATES AIRLINE US OPEN SERIES FINAL STANDINGS ACTIVITIES HISTORY Rafael Nadal (ESP) John Isner (USA) Juan Martin del Potro (ARF) Milos Raonic (CAN) Novak Djokovic (SRB) Novak Djokovic (SRB) John Isner (USA) Sam Querrey (USA) Roger Federer (SUI) Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) Mardy Fish (USA) Novak Djokovic (SRB) John Isner (USA) Gael Monfils (FRA) 95 T5. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 85 T5. Radek Stepanek (CZE) Andy Murray (GBR) 170* 2. Roger Federer (SUI) Mardy Fish (USA) Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) David Nalbandian (ARG) 110 * Murray wins tiebreaker (head-to-head) Serena Williams (USA) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) Petra Kvitova (CZE) Samantha Stosur (USA) Petra Kvitova (CZE) Li Na (CHN) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) Serena Williams (USA) Marion Bartoli (FRA) Serena Williams (USA) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 130* 3. Maria Sharapova (RUS) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 105 T5. Andrea Petkovic (GER) 95 T5. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 95 * Radwanska wins tiebreaker (total Series match wins) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) Kim Clijsters (BEL) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 115* T4. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 115 T4. Maria Sharapova (RUS) 115 * Kuznetsova wins tiebreaker (most games won) 56

5 EMIRATES AIRLINE US OPEN SERIES FINAL STANDINGS (CONT D) Sam Querrey (USA) Andy Murray (GBR) Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) Roger Federer (SUI) Novak Djokovic (SRB) Rafael Nadal (ESP) 145* 2. Andy Murray (GBR) Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) Gilles Simon (FRA) 115 T5. Marin Cilic (CRO) 95 T5. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 95 * Nadal wins tiebreaker (head-to-head) Roger Federer (SUI) James Blake (USA) Andy Roddick (USA) Radek Stepanek (CZE) 95 T5. Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 70 T5. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) Andy Roddick (USA) Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) Andy Murray (GBR) Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) Xavier Malisse (BEL) Andy Roddick (USA) Andre Agassi (USA) Rafael Nadal (ESP) 100 * 4. Roger Federer (SUI) Robby Ginepri (USA) 93 * Nadal wins tiebreaker (more sets won in Series) Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 155 * 2. Andy Roddick (USA) Andre Agassi (USA) Roger Federer (SUI) Nicolas Kiefer (GER) 97 * Hewitt wins tiebreaker (more Series match wins) Elena Demenetieva (RUS) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 140* 3. Jelena Jankovic (SRB) Maria Sharapova (RUS) 110 T5. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 95 T5. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 95 * Pennetta wins tiebreaker (total Series match wins) Dinara Safina (RUS) Marion Bartoli (FRA) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) Ana Chakvetadze (RUS) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) Maria Sharapova (RUS) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) Patty Schnyder (SUI) Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) Nadia Petrova (RUS) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) Maria Sharapova (RUS) Kim Clijsters (BEL) Martina Hingis (SUI) Elena Dementieva (RUS) Kim Clijsters (BEL) Mary Pierce (FRA) Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) 80 T4. Ai Sugiyama (JPN) 70 T4. Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL) Lindsay Davenport (USA) 100 * 2. Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) Elena Likhovtseva (RUS) Elena Bovina (RUS) 65 T5. Venus Williams (USA) 57 T5. Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 57 * Davenport wins tiebreaker (more Series match wins) NOTE: Final standings since and including 2006 feature only players who earned points in two or more Series events. 57

6 EMIRATES AIRLINE US OPEN SERIES BONUS CHALLENGE The Emirates Airline US Open Series has awarded more than $10.6 million in bonus prize money since it began in For the first year of the Emirates Airline US Open Series, the champions earned a 50 percent bonus at the US Open while the second-place and third-place finishers in the Series received 25 percent more and 10 percent more, respectively. In 2005, Emirates Airline US Open Series winners earned double their prize money at the US Open; the second-place finishers a 50 percent bonus and the third-place finishers earned a 25 percent increase. Since 2006, Emirates Airline US Open Series bonus prize money allocations have been based on a permanent structured schedule (see below). As a result, the USTA is offering more than $2.6 million in potential bonus singles prize money at the 2014 US Open to the top three men s and top three women s finishers in the Emirates Airline US Open Series Bonus Challenge. ACTIVITIES HISTORY BONUS PRIZE MONEY SCHEDULE 2014 EMIRATES AIRLINE US OPEN SERIES FINISH 2014 US Open Finish First Place Second Place Third Place Winner $1,000,000 $500,000 $250,000 Runner-up $500,000 $250,000 $125,000 Semifinalist $250,000 $125,000 $62,500 Quarterfinalist $125,000 $62,500 $31,250 Round of 16 $70,000 $35,000 $17,500 Round of 32 $40,000 $20,000 $10,000 Round of 64 $25,000 $12,500 $6,250 Round of 128 $15,000 $7,500 $3,750 58

7 EMIRATES AIRLINE US OPEN SERIES BONUS PAYOUTS 2013 Emirates Airline US Open Series Bonus Challenge Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Rafael Nadal Champion Champion $1,000,000 $3,600,000 John Isner 2nd Place 3rd Round $20,000 $113,000 Juan Martin del Potro 3rd Place 2nd Round $6,250 $59,250 Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Serena Williams Champion Champion $1,000,000 $3,600,000 Victoria Azarenka 2nd Place Runner-up $250,000 $1,550,000 Agnieszka Radwanska 3rd Place 4th Round $17,500 $182, Emirates Airline US Open Series Bonus Challenge Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Novak Djokovic Champion Runner-up $500,000 $1,450,000 John Isner 2nd Place 3rd Round $20,000 $85,000 Sam Querrey 3rd Place 3rd Round $10,000 $75,000 Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Petra Kvitova Champion 4th Round $70,000 $190,000 Li Na 2nd Place 3rd Round $20,000 $85,000 Dominika Cibulkova 3rd Place 3rd Round $10,000 $75, Emirates Airline US Open Series Bonus Challenge Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Mardy Fish Champion 4th Round $70,000 $180,000 Novak Djokovic 2nd Place Champion $500,000 $2,300,000 John Isner 3rd Place Quarterfinalist $31,250 $256,250 Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Serena Williams Champion Finalist $500,000 $1,400,000 Agnieszka Radwanska 2nd Place 2nd Round $12,500 $43,250 Maria Sharapova 3rd Place 3rd Round $10,000 $65,000 59

8 2010 Emirates Airline US Open Series Bonus Challenge Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Andy Murray Champion 3rd Round $40,000 $90,000 Roger Federer 2nd Place Semifinalist $125,000 $525,000 Mardy Fish 3rd Place 4th Round $17,500 $117,500 Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Caroline Wozniacki Champion Semifinalist $250,000 $650,000 Kim Clijsters 2nd Place Champion $500,000 $2,200,000 Svetlana Kuznetsova 3rd Place 4th Round $17,500 $117, Emirates Airline US Open Series Bonus Challenge ACTIVITIES HISTORY Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Sam Querrey Champion 3rd Round $40,000 $88,000 Andy Murray 2nd Place 4th Round $35,000 $120,000 Juan Martin del Potro 3rd Place Champion $250,000 $1,850,000 Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Elena Dementieva Champion 2nd Round $25,000 $56,000 Flavia Pennetta 2nd Place Quarterfinalist $62,500 $237,500 Jelena Jankovic 3rd Place 2nd Round $6,250 $37, Emirates Airline US Open Series Bonus Challenge Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Rafael Nadal Champion Semifinalist $250,000 $570,000 Andy Murray 2nd Place Finalist $250,000 $1,000,000 Juan Martin del Potro 3rd Place Quarterfinalist $31,250 $191,250 Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Dinara Safina Champion Semifinalist $250,000 $570,000 Marion Bartoli 2nd Place 4th Round $35,000 $115,000 Dominika Cibulkova 3rd Place 3rd Round $10,000 $56,000 60

9 2007 Emirates Airline US Open Series Bonus Challenge Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Roger Federer Champion Champion $1,000,000 $2,400,000 James Blake 2nd Place Fourth Round $35,000 $110,000 Andy Roddick 3rd Place Quarterfinalist $31,250 $181,250 Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Maria Sharapova Champion 3rd Round $40,000 $83,000 Jelena Jankovic 2nd Place Quarterfinalist $62,500 $212,500 Patty Schnyder 3rd Place 3rd Round $10,000 $53, Emirates Airline US Open Series Bonus Challenge (first year of current payout allotment) Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Andy Roddick Champion Finalist $500,000 $1,100,000 Fernando Gonzalez 2nd Place 3rd Round $20,000 $62,000 Andy Murray 3rd Place 4th Round $17,500 $89,500 Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Ana Ivanovic Champion 3rd Round $40,000 $82,000 Maria Sharapova 2nd Place Champion $500,000 $1,700,000 Kim Clijsters 3rd Place Did Not Play 2005 Emirates Airline US Open Series Final Standings Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Andy Roddick Champion First Round $15,000 $30,000 Andre Agassi 2nd Place Finalist $275,000 $825,000 Rafael Nadal 3rd Place 3rd Round $6,250 $46,250 Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Kim Clijsters Champion Champion $1,100,000 $2,200,000 Mary Pierce 2nd Place Finalist $275,000 $825,000 Amelie Mauresmo 3rd Place Quarterfinalist $33,750 $168,750 61

10 2004 Emirates Airline US Open Series Final Standings Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Lleyton Hewitt Champion Finalist $250,000 $750,000 Andy Roddick 2nd Place Quarterfinalist $32,500 $162,500 Andre Agassi 3rd Place Quarterfinalist $13,000 $143,000 Finish Finish Prize Money Prize Money Lindsay Davenport Champion Semifinalist $130,000 $390,000 Amelie Mauresmo 2nd Place Quarterfinalist $32,500 $62,500 Elena Likhovtseva 3rd Place First Round $1,400 $15,400 ACTIVITIES HISTORY 2013 TOTAL SERIES BONUS PRIZE MONEY: $2,293, TOTAL SERIES BONUS PRIZE MONEY: $630, TOTAL SERIES BONUS PRIZE MONEY: $1,123, TOTAL SERIES BONUS PRIZE MONEY: $950, TOTAL SERIES BONUS PRIZE MONEY: $418, TOTAL SERIES BONUS PRIZE MONEY: $826, TOTAL SERIES BONUS PRIZE MONEY: $1,178, TOTAL SERIES BONUS PRIZE MONEY: $1,077, TOTAL SERIES BONUS PRIZE MONEY: $1,705, TOTAL SERIES BONUS PRIZE MONEY: $459,400 ALL-TIME EMIRATES AIRLINE US OPEN SERIES BONUS PRIZE MONEY TOTAL: $10,663,150 62

11 AROUND THE US OPEN QUALIFYING AND FREE TENNIS WEEK Getty Images The United States Tennis Association offers fans a free week of tennis before the US Open featuring the US Open Qualifying Tournament and Arthur Ashe Kids Day presented by Hess (see next page). The US Open Qualifying Tournament features 128 men and 128 women attempting to win three matches to earn a berth into the main draw. The tournament, held the Tuesday through Friday before the main draw, is one of the largest in the world and offers more than $1.4 million in prize money. Beginning in 2010, the US Open Qualifying Tournament has also included the men s and women s champions from the US Open National Playoffs. (See page 53 for more.) More than 1,000 aspirants of all ages and ability levels have competed in the US Open National Playoffs in each of the last five years, with one men s champion and one women s champion earning a wild card into the US Open Qualifying Tournament. Several players who competed in the US Open qualifying event have posted strong results in the main draw (see page 195), including 15-yearold Anna Kournikova, who reached the round of Anna Kournikova 16 at the 1996 US Open, and Gilles Muller, who advanced to the quarterfinals in Zina Garrison (1980), Lleyton Hewitt (1998), Francesca Schiavone (2000), David Nalbandian (2001), Svetlana Kuznetsova (2001), Marion Bartoli (2001), Robin Soderling (2002), Agnieszka Radwanska (2006), and Kei Nishikori (2010) are among the notable players to qualify at the US Open. DRAW CEREMONY / PRESENTATION The US Open Draw Ceremony traditionally has been where the men s and women s singles draws were completed. Originally, each name was manually drawn one at a time. In 1998, the USTA began using a computer program to randomly place the unseeded players prior to the Draw Ceremony, where the seeds are drawn out of the US Open trophies. (The exceptions came from 2009 to 2011, when the US Open draws were determined in their entirety and using standard procedures prior to the official US Open Draw Presentation event.) This year s official unveiling will once again be held on-site at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 21. Recent locations for the Draw Ceremony include: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center The TimesCenter 2007 The Empire State Building United Nations Headquarters USTA National Tennis Center 63

12 ACTIVITIES HISTORY ARTHUR ASHE KIDS DAY PRESENTED BY HESS The world s largest single-day, grass-roots tennis and entertainment event, Arthur Ashe Kids Day presented by Hess is the US Open s annual kickoff event. It features a morning Grounds Festival which is free to the public and offers a great opportunity to experience how tennis has been sized-right for kids, with all kinds of kid-friendly tennis programming and a show inside Arthur Ashe Stadium with an all-star lineup of musical guests and tennis greats. Over the years, Arthur Ashe Kids Day has been a launching ground for many of music s biggest acts, including Ariana Grande, Austin Mahone, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, The Wanted, Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Carly Rae Jepsen, Cody Simpson, Sean Kingston, Britney Spears, Ne-Yo, Jessica Simpson, Hanson and Backstreet Boys. This year s performers include including country superstar Hunter Hayes, breakout duo MKTO, girl group McCLAIN, British pop rock band The Vamps, teen sensation Madison Beer, EDM prodigy DJ Salerno and chart-topping teen star Shawn des, joined by tennis greats Victoria Azarenka, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Singer and actress China Anne McClain and Nickelodeon s Jeff Sutphen co-host the show, with a special guest appearance by popular fitness trainer and choreographer Shaun T. Arthur Ashe Kids Day Musical Talent 2013 Ariana Grande / Austin Mahone / Coco Jones / Lawson / Cazzette 2012 The Wanted / Carly Rae Jepsen / Owl City 2011 Cancelled due to Hurricane Irene 2010 Jonas Brothers / Demi Lovato / David Archuleta / Allstar Weekend / Shontelle 2009 Jordin Sparks / Honor Society / Justin Bieber 2008 Demi Lovato / Colby O Donis / udo 2007 Jonas Brothers / Kat DeLuna / Sean Kingston / Li l Mama 2006 Teddy Geiger / Cheyenne Kimball / Ne-Yo / The Cheetah Girls 2005 Rihanna / Jesse McCartney / The Click Five 2004 JoJo / Gavin DeGraw / Cherie 2003 Monica / Smashmouth / Daniel Beddingfield 2002 BBMak / Mario / Vanessa Carlton 2001 Li l Bow Wow / O-Town Degrees / Jessica Simpson 1999 Britney Spears 1998 Backstreet Boys 1997 Hanson Getty Images for USTA Michelle Obama helped kick off the 2013 US Open on Arthur Ashe Kids' Day, joined onstage by some of America's leading tennis players. 64

13 OPENING NIGHT Since 2002, USTA officials have designated a special ceremony to launch the two-week tournament in prime time before the start of night matches on the first Monday of the US Open. The celebration has grown tremendously, from the Parade of Champions in 1997 to this year s ceremony celebrating tennis in lights. Fitz and The Tantrums headline the 2014 US Open Opening Night Ceremony on Monday, August 25, surrounded by an immersive video and lighting spectacle, with dynamic projections of great US Open moments and tennis graphics on the court of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 3 Winans Brothers then take the court to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner." The ceremony also features special appearances by John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova. Opening Night Ceremonies 2013 The Open Night Ceremony lights up the evening with an electrifying performance by Lenny Kravitz and a spectacular video and light show that immerses the entire stadium 2012 The US Open takes a radical and innovative new approach to Opening Night with a projection light show featuring state-of-the-art effects and a video presentation celebrating the sport and the progression from youth tennis to championship tennis; the event features a performance by Jordin Sparks Getty Images 2011 Cancelled due to Hurricane Irene 2010 The US Open Inspires included stories of fortitude and perseverance featuring Martina Navratilova, James Blake, wheelchair tennis legend Esther Vergeer and USTA member Dori Samadzai-Bonner, an Afghanistan native who overcame long odds to discover America through tennis; the event was hosted by ABC s Christiane Amanpour and featured a performance by Gloria Estefan 2009 A celebration of athletes who give back featured Andre Agassi and other notable athletes from other sports who have devoted their energies to supporting worthy charitable causes; performances by Rob Thomas and the O Jays 2008 A celebration of four decades of Open Tennis honored the 40 singles champions from the first 40 years of the US Open with a parade of champions hosted by Forest Whitaker and featuring a performance from Earth, Wind and Fire 2007 Althea Gibson tribute with 20 African-American female pioneers hosted by Phylicia Rashad; performance by Aretha Franklin and national anthem sung by casting call Martina Navratilova winner Brittany Hankerson 2006 Renaming of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center hosted by Mary Carillo; Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Chris Evert and Venus Williams took part in the tribute with a performance by Diana Ross 2005 Unveiling of the US Open Blue courts hosted by Bo Diddley; national anthem performance by Ben Vereen 2004 Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra hosted by Liev Schrieber; national anthem performance by Renee Olstead 2003 Movin Out hosted by Alec Baldwin; national anthem performance by Tiffany Evans /11 Flag Tribute hosted by Judd Hirsch; performances by Tony Bennett and Queen Latifah 1997 Parade of Champions in honor of the opening of Arthur Ashe Stadium 65

14 ACTIVITIES HISTORY ANTHEM SINGERS The US Open tradition of boys and girls singing patrioticthemed songs in Arthur Ashe Stadium continues in 2014 with a dozen talented vocalists ages 12 and under scheduled to perform nightly on Center Court. The selection process began with the USTA launching a nationwide online and DVD audition for the eighth annual US Open Casting Call. In addition, the US Open stayed true to its local Queens roots, holding an open audition for borough residents at the Queens Theatre, which is located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, just steps from Arthur Ashe Stadium. USTA FOUNDATION OPENING NIGHT GALA The USTA Foundation celebrates the start of the 2014 US Open with its 14th annual Opening Night Gala on Monday evening, Aug. 25, in Arthur Ashe Stadium. The USTA Foundation supports, monitors and promotes programs that enhance the lives of at-risk children and individuals with disabilities through the integration of tennis and education. NIGHT TENNIS On Aug. 27, 1975, the US Open became the first Grand Slam tournament to host night sessions. (The Australian Open took up the tradition in 1988, making it the only other Grand Slam tournament to regularly feature night tennis.) In the first night match played at the US Open, Onny Parun of New Zealand defeated American Stan Smith, 6-4, 6-2, in front of a crowd of 4,949 at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, N.Y. More than 35 years later, night tennis at the US Open has been called the single greatest atmosphere for tennis (Andre Agassi) and one of the great features at the US Open (Mary Carillo, CBS Sports). In 2007, USA Today s Joe Fleming wrote, the combination of tennis largest arena, a hand-picked schedule that leans heavily on high-profile, glamorous players and New York s rowdy brand of fans turns usually staid tennis into a raucous celebration. See page 216 in the Records & Statistics section for US Open night tennis statistics and records. Getty Images for USTA Getty Images 66

15 THE CHASE REVIEW ELECTRONIC LINE CALLING REPLAY SYSTEM In 2006, the US Open became the first Grand Slam event to use electronic line calling technology. The technology improves officiating for players while increasing the intrigue and excitement for in-stadium fans and television viewers. The technology was initially installed in Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, and was expanded to the Grandstand in 2009 and to the newly installed Court 17 in Starting this year, it will also be used on Court 5. Players are granted three challenges per set, plus an additional challenge if the set goes to a tie-break. The US Open s instant replay system provides official reviews to television and in-stadium video boards through a total of 10 fixed cameras (with an additional 11th backup camera) placed around Arthur Ashe Stadium at a height of 28 feet, 6 inches. Two of the 11 cameras are fixed at a height of almost 115 feet, just above the top row of the upper promenade seats. On Aug. 28, 2006, at 2:15 p.m., Mardy Fish issued the first player challenge in Grand Slam history during his four-set, first round victory against Germany s Simon Greul in the first match on Louis Armstrong Stadium court. With Fish leading, 6-4, 6-4, 1-0, and Greul serving at Ad-In, Fish challenged Greul s point-winning shot which was called in on the sideline. The call was upheld, leaving the set score at 1-all following the video review, which was seen simultaneously by players, officials, fans and television viewers. USOPEN.ORG AND US OPEN SOCIAL WALL USOpen.org the official US Open tournament website, US Open Apps (ipad, ios and Android) and social media channels features the most interactive experience for tennis fans everywhere. US Open Live lets fans watch US Open matches live on their computer or ipad as they happen on any of the seven show courts with US Open Live. During Labor Day weekend and on Finals Weekend, they can enjoy live streaming from their iphone or Android devices as well. The US Open ipad, iphone and Android Apps enable fans to follow all the action and to interact with fans around the world with the US Open Apps. Fans can communicate with other fans through enhanced social features, watch live matches and video highlights, and also take a deeper dive into all the latest matches with live scores, stats and draws. Fans can stay on top of and engage with the latest trending topics through Twitter and Instagram, in our TrendCast section. Fans can also experience USOpen.org Radio like never before, with a Q&A feature to tweet their questions, with a chance for them to be answered by the on-air talent. New for 2014, fans can play along with the US Open Live Prediction Challenge and predict the outcome of every match, set, game and point of the men s and women s singles draws. Fans can join the conversation on their favorite social network Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the official hashtag of the tournament, #usopen. US Open Instant Highlights returns in 2014 with real-time highlights available on Twitter across all mobile and web platforms within seconds of the live action. Fans can also check out all the social buzz on US Open players, celebrities and fans on the US Open Social Wall on USOpen.org. For those at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, they can view and interact with one of the three 20 ft. x 10 ft. walls on the grounds near the East Gate, next to the draw boards and next to the big video screen in the Food Village. MEMBER APPRECIATION DAY USTA members are given additional benefits on Member Appreciation Day, Friday, Aug. 29. On that day, USTA members are permitted access to the Hospitality Pavilion in the Chase Center, where they can enjoy refreshments, entertainment, player appearances and a complimentary gift. 67

16 US OPEN JUNIOR HIPS The US Open Junior Championships take place during the last eight days of the tournament. The event features 64-player singles draws and 32-team doubles championships for both boys and girls, allowing fans to catch tomorrow s stars from around the world up close and personal. Four US Open junior champions Andy Murray (2004), Andy Roddick (2000), Lindsay Davenport (1992) and Stefan Edberg (1983) have gone on to win the US Open singles title, as did junior runners-up Roger Federer (1998), Boris Becker (1984), Svetlana Kuznetsova (2001) and Martina Hingis (1994). (See pages for a complete list of past US Open junior finals.) HISTORY ACTIVITIES Getty Images for USTA 2013 girls' singles finalist Tornado Alicia Black US OPEN WHEELCHAIR TENNIS COMPETITION Twenty of the world s top-ranked wheelchair tennis players compete in the 2014 US Open Wheelchair Tennis Competition, which features a trio of singles champions defending their titles for the first time. The singles competition begins on Thursday, September 4; the men s and women s doubles kick off on Friday, September 5; and the quad doubles takes place on Saturday, September 6. With the lone exception that wheelchair players are allowed two bounces of the ball, the rules in wheelchair tennis are the same as able-bodied tennis. The US Open Wheelchair Tennis Competition is an event on the international professional wheelchair tour, sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation. The USTA was officially designated by the USOC as the national governing body for the Paralympic sport of wheelchair tennis in June 2002, becoming the first Olympic national governing body to earn this recognition. David Wagner Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images 68

17 AMERICAN COLLEGIATE INVITATIONAL For the first time ever, the USTA is supporting a college tennis competition during the US Open exclusively for the top American collegiate players. Eight American men and eight American women have been invited to compete in the American Collegiate Invitational, a knockout tournament that is being contested from Thursday, September 4, through Saturday, September 6. For a player to be invited to participate in the competition, he or she either has to be a member of the USTA Collegiate Team, has to be at the top of the collegiate rankings, or has to have graduated or turned professional after the 2014 NCAA Championships concluded. US OPEN INVITATIONAL The US Open Champions Invitational features some of the greatest players, with 16 former Grand Slam tournament champions and finalists competing. Tracy Austin, Pat Cash, Michael Chang, Lindsay Davenport, Gigi Fernandez, Mary Joe Fernandez, Goran Ivanisevic, Iva Majoli, John McEnroe, Patrick McEnroe, Todd Martin, Martina Navratilova, Jana Novotna, Chanda Rubin, Mats Wilander and Malivai Washington are the all-time greats scheduled to compete. The players will be paired off into four men s doubles teams and four women s doubles teams, with the winning teams from the semifinals advancing to the finals. The matches begin on Wednesday, September 3, and continue the following day, Thursday, September 4, with the finals slated for Saturday, September 6. USTA FOUNDATION ANNUAL PRO-AM The USTA Foundation hosts the 11th Annual Pro-Am at the US Open on Friday morning, September 5. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for amateurs to play with some past champions. US OPEN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD In 2012, the USTA instituted the US Open Sportsmanship Award for demonstrating excellence in sportsmanship throughout the Emirates Airline US Open Series and the US Open. The award is an extension of the USTA s Sportsmanship Committee, created in The award winners for the 2013 US Open were David Ferrer and Li Na. The inaugural recipients of the US Open Sportsmanship Award were Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan. This year, the US Open will also honor a junior boy and a junior girl with Sportsmanship Awards. The award winners are based on sustained reputation and for exhibiting the highest standards of sportsmanship and fair play during the respective USTA Junior National Championships. RETURNING THE LOVE The Returning the Love cross-functional initiative enters its fourth year in 2014, as the US Open and its players continue to proactively reach out to the surrounding New York and Queens community with a focus on youth, families and nonprofit organizations, and a goal of creating a positive and lasting impact. Approximately 25 kids from the Corona-based Elmcor Youth community center will be on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Thursday, August 21, to participate in a youth tennis clinic with ATP and WTA players, including defending champions Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal. Elmcor is one of the largest non-profit community-based service agencies in Queens that provides at-risk youth and adults with quality recreation, education and social service programs. Players and staff will also participate in granting a handful of wishes to kids with lifethreatening medical conditions. The annual partnership with the Make-A-Wish organization always brings warm smiles to everyone involved. 69