2013 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW forget the roar of the crowd as Sandra Birch came back from a big deficit to win 75 in the third on a packed Court 17. A few years later, Jordan Richman, who lived just a few miles from the National Tennis Center, dropped his court maintenance broom and rushed to change when his name was called from the junior alternate list. It might be the first and only time in U.S. Open history that a player has swept the court before playing on it. In 1997, Kyle Kligerman
from New York, N.Y. was selected as a doubles alternate, and despite being matched with a partner he had never met, beat the number two seeds in the first round! I hope the rising local stars, as well as their coaches and families, have an equally memorable time in 2013 on their way to the top. Steve Kaplan is the owner of Bethpage Park Tennis Center, as well as the director
of Lacoste Academy for New York City Parks Foundation. Over the last 34 years, Steve has been the longtime coach of more than 600 nationally-ranked junior players, 16 state high school champions, two NCAA Division 1 Singles Champions, and numerous touring professionals and prominent coaches. Steve’s students have been awarded in excess of $8 million in college scholarship money. He may be reached by e-mail at stevenjkaplan@aol.com.
U.S. Open Timeline 1881
Begins as a singles men’s tournament, for entertainment purposes only. The United States Championship is held at The Casino in Newport, R.I. Richard D. Sears is the first champion.
1887
Ellen Hansel is the first female singles winner.
1915-1978 The tournaments are held at West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, N.Y.
50
1968
The Open Era begins. Professionals are allowed to compete with amateurs. Name changes to the U.S. Open. Arthur Ashe is the first winner of the newly-named tournament.
1973
The U.S. Open becomes the first Grand Slam tournament to offer equal prize money to male and female winners.
1978
The National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows Corona Park becomes the site of the U.S. Open.
1997
The stadium used for the tournament inside the USTA National Tennis Center is named Arthur Ashe Stadium.
2006
The USTA National Tennis Center facility, home of the U.S. Open, is renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Winners of Most Men’s Singles Titles (Post-1968)
Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras & Roger Federer (tied with 5)
Winner of Most Women’s Singles Titles (Post-1968)
Chris Evert (6)
Winner of Most Consecutive Men’s Titles (Post-1968)
Roger Federer (5)
Winner of Most Consecutive Women’s Titles (Post-1968)
Chris Evert (4)
New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2013 • NYTennisMag.com