On opening day of the US Open, some players got their first taste of one of the newest additions at this year’s tournament.
To coincide with their 50th anniversary, the USTA have completed their five-year renovation of the National Tennis Centre. The centrepiece of the revamp is the newly built Louis Armstrong stadium. A 14,000 capacity venue that has a retractable roof.Making it the second biggest court at the US Open after the Arthur Ashe stadium.
“The stadium seems so good. I like to be closer to the people. The sounds of the ball are great. I think the crowd could create a good atmosphere for the next matches.” Juan Martin Del Potro said about playing at the venue after defeating Donald Young in straight sets.
Named after jazz singles Louis Armstrong, who lived near the venue until his death in 1971, it wasn’t a just simple improvement on last year. In fact, officials knocked down the old stadium and completely rebuilt it. A move that has been praised by two-time grand slam champion Victoria Azarenka. The Belarusian described the old venue as ‘terrible’ following her first round win over Victoria Kuzmova.
“It’s a new court, which is really beautiful. I enjoyed my time (playing on it).” She said.
“I always hated the old Louis Armstrong. It was so terrible. I couldn’t hit my backhand down the line there never, I don’t know why.
“It just didn’t feel good. I don’t know what it was. It was weird. The way the ball travelled, it was super weird to me. There were so many times you framed the ball. I don’t know why. Like, it always puzzled me, that court.”
Even players who suffered heartbreak on the court left impressed. Simona Halep was the first to play a competitive main draw match on Louis Armstrong. Unfortunately for the Romanian world No.1 she crashed out in straight sets to Kaia Kanepi. Becoming the first top seed to exit the opening round of the US Open in the Open Era.
“Actually, I’m happy I was first one there, even if I lost (smiling).” Halep told reporters. “It is a nice stadium, and every court here, it’s beautiful. It was all good.”
Reigning US Open champion Sloane Stephens was placed on the Louis Armstrong stadium instead of the Premier Arthur Ashe. Her experience was that similar to what it is like to live in New York – noisy with a lot happening.
“It was just loud. There was a lot going on, between the aeroplane and the subway behind the court, the concessions being in the lower bowl, and people walking in the games at, like, 2-All, 3-All. There’s just a lot going on.” Stephens reflected.
“It was fun to play first day on a brand-new stadium court. But there was a lot happening.”
Angelique Kerber, Nick Kyrgios and Maria Sharapova will all play on the new court on the second day of the US Open.