US Open Follows Fellow Slams With Roof Plans
The US Open has announced plans to construct a retractable roof over the main Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows. The venue in New York is the fourth and final Grand Slam venue to build, or announce plans to build, a roof over its showpiece court.
Both the Australian Open and Wimbledon have covered stadium courts, while the French Open plans to have a retractable roof on its main court by 2018.
At the US Open, which starts on 26th August, bad weather has seen the men’s final postponed to a third Monday for the last five years running.
Two new stadium courts are also planned at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, with full details set to be announced later this week.
The Arthur Ashe Stadium is the largest in tennis, holding 22,500 spectators, and its large size had previously cast doubts over whether constructing a roof would be feasible. In comparison, Wimbledon’s Centre Court holds 13,500 spectators.
The 2013 event will see the men’s and women’s singles champion claim $1.9 million this year.
