News India Live, Digital Desk: Stadium renovation: United States Tennis AssociationThe Chief Court Arthur Ash Stadium of the US Open will be renovated under the $ 800 million renewal project at Shait Flushing Meadows. It has been described as the “biggest investment in the history of the US Open” at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center.
The project includes plans to increase the stadium capacity to 2,000 seats. Currently, the stadium has a capacity of 23,772 and is the largest tennis region in the world. A new main entrance will be created with modern features for fans at the stadium. The renewal will be completed by 2027, in the construction stages to avoid any blockage in 2025 and 2026 versions of the tournament.
The USTA CEO and Executive Director, Lu Sher said, “This project enables us to maintain and modernize us for the next 25 years.”
As part of the comprehensive plan, a completely new two -storey player performance center will also be set up at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center. This feature costing $ 250 million is designed to improve players’ experience, including extended indoor and outdoor fitness zone, upgraded warm-up area and re-designed locker rooms, which aims to provide fantastic, spa-like experience. There will also be a large and more modern dining space for players during the tournament.
This improvement is a major change compared to the early days of the tournament. Tennis veteran and four-time US Open champion John Maceno recalled how decades ago, a beer keg in the locker room was considered a top-level privilege for players. Speaking at an event in Manhattan, 66 -year -old New Yorker jokingly said that his generation players would no longer believe the high standards being presented, and expressed enthusiasm on how much the event had moved forward to treat his stars.
This new project last The five -year -old came to an end after renewal of $ 600 million which ended in 2018. There were major changes in the plan, including the opening of a new Louis Armstrong Stadium, which has a withdrawal roof and seats of over 14,000 fans.
The USTA is constantly trying for the US Open, which attracted a crowd of over a million people in 2024. With the main draw being extended by 15 days from this year, the organizers hope that the tournament will be more fun as around 70,000 additional attendees will get admission in the early stages of the event. All this indicates that the ambition of the event will not only remain relevant but will lead to tennis in the coming years.
