History of The US Open

Each August, New York takes on a familiar rhythm. Crisp tennis whites return to the streets, conversations turn to championship predictions, and the energy of late summer is accompanied by the anticipation of one of the season’s most celebrated traditions. The US Open tennis tournament transforms New York into the center of the tennis world. More than a sporting event, the championship has become a defining chapter in the city’s cultural calendar, drawing world-class athletes, designers, celebrities, and visitors from across the globe.

Its story, however, began far from the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium. What started as a modest amateur championship would, over the next century, become one of the world’s most prestigious Grand Slam tournaments. In the process, the championship made New York its home, embraced professional competition, and championed equality. 

1881 | The Beginning of an American Tradition  

The first U.S. National Championship was held in 1881 on the grass courts of Newport, Rhode Island. Open exclusively to amateur competitors, the tournament reflected the traditions of its era, attracting many of the country's most talented players to what was then a relatively intimate championship. Few could have imagined that this quiet beginning would one day grow into the tournament we know today.

1887 | Expanding the Championship  

Just six years later, the first Women’s Championship was introduced, expanding the scope of the tournament. As tennis continued to grow in popularity, the addition of a women’s competition marked a significant step in the sport’s evolution. It also laid the foundation for one of the tournament’s defining moments nearly a century later, when the US Open became the first Grand Slam to award equal prize money to men and women. 

1915 | A New York Tradition

In 1915, the championship relocated to Forest Hills, Queens, where the historic West Side Tennis Club would serve as its home for more than six decades. There, the tournament evolved into one of New York City’s beloved late-summer traditions, drawing generations of spectators each year.  

1968-1978 | A New Era  

The arrival of the Open Era in 1968 marked a turning point for professional tennis. For the first time, amateur and professional players competed side by side, raising the level of competition and transforming the championship into a global event.  Just five years later, the US Open made history by becoming the first Grand Slam tournament to award equal prize money to men and women. Championed by Billie Jean King, the landmark decision set a new standard for the sport and reinforced the tournament’s legacy of innovation.

In 1978, the championship relocated to the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, introducing the hard courts that have defined the tournament ever since. The larger venue allowed the event to welcome growing crowds and set the stage for the electric atmosphere that has become synonymous with the US Open. In the decades that followed, unforgettable matches and generations of champions, including Arthur Ashe and Serena Williams, cemented the US Open’s reputation as one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events. 

Today | Global Celebration in New York

Each year, the US Open welcomes more than one million spectators and is broadcast to viewers in more than 200 countries. While it remains one of tennis’s four Grand Slam tournaments, it has also become one of New York’s defining cultural events, where world-class competition meets the unmistakable energy of the city.  

Much like New York itself, the US Open has continued to evolve while honoring the traditions that shaped it. More than 140 years after its founding, the US Open remains a celebration of excellence, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the game.  

Just a short drive from the courts, The Surrey Hotel offers a refined retreat after a day at the US Open. Spend the afternoon courtside before returning for aperitivo at Casa Tua or an evening of restoration at the spa. From the excitement of the day’s final match to the quiet elegance of the Upper East Side, The Surrey offers a refined retreat in the heart of New York’s late-summer season.