Moving from the exclusive West Side Club to the public park of Flushing Meadows marked a significant step towards making the elitist sport of tennis more accessible to the general public. The US Open, originally established in 1881, has seen several venue changes throughout its history. The move to Flushing Meadows in 1978 was a result of the tournament outgrowing the space at the West Side Club.
The shift to Flushing Meadows was orchestrated by W.E. “Slew” Hester, who envisioned a state-of-the-art facility that would host the US Open on public courts, making it more inclusive. Despite skepticism that the ambitious project could be completed in time for the 1978 tournament, Hester’s determination paid off, and the USTA National Tennis Center was ready for the event.
The new center featured two arenas, Louis Armstrong Stadium and Grandstand Arena, along with additional outdoor and indoor courts. Workers labored tirelessly, even working overtime to ensure the venue was ready for the tournament. The inaugural matches at the National Tennis Center saw top players like Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors take to the courts.
The 1978 US Open at Flushing Meadows was a success, with Connors and Chris Evert emerging as the men’s and women’s singles champions, respectively. Over the years, the venue continued to evolve, eventually becoming the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in tribute to the tennis legend. Flushing Meadows has remained a significant location in the history of the US Open, hosting memorable matches and showcasing top talent in the world of tennis.
