NEW YORK — Watching ESPN’s comprehensive coverage of the US Open is the next best thing to being at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. There are aspects of the US Open that are unique to the event — many of which are incorporated into ESPN’s coverage — and we’ve captured a few in the pictures below.
1. Arthur Ashe Stadium
The largest tennis facility in the world, Arthur Ashe Stadium will have a retractable roof in a few years, the USTA recently announced.
2. Unisphere
The iconic symbol of the 1964 World’s Fair in New York, the unisphere is just outside the US Open grounds. It is the largest global structure in the world.
3. Arthur Ashe statue
Not just an outstanding tennis player, Arthur Ashe was a leader in sports and society at large in the U.S. and around the world. His statue stands near the stadium that bears his name.
4. US Open grounds
Forty years ago, Billie Jean King founded the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association), ushering in a new era of professional tennis for women. The US Open grounds are named for her.
5. Chris Evert
The US Open grounds includes the Court of Champions, where the event’s great singles champions are honored, including ESPN’s Chris Evert, a six-time winner.
6. John McEnroe
ESPN’s John McEnroe is honored at the major in his hometown he won four times, at the US Open Court of Champions.
7. Court of Champions
From the main plaza, the Court of Champions leads to the grounds of the 1964 World’s Fair, held in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., and drew crowds from around the world with the theme “Peace Through Understanding.”
8. Slambonis
Once there is a roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium, you can probably get a sweet deal on these Slambonis on eBay.
9. SpiderCam
For four years, SpiderCam has captured the unique atmosphere of tennis’ New York major.
10. US Open plaza
With ESPN’s US Open set on the main plaza, fans can throw hats to Brad Gilbert for autographs.
11. Program covers
Underneath Ashe Stadium, the hallway has large frames of each year’s program, including ESPN’s John McEnroe and Chris Evert who were on the cover in 1980 and ’81.
12. Streets of New York
Only at the US Open do players walk the streets to get a shuttle bus to the event.
