US Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium to undergo 800 million dollars transformation
The site of the US Open will undergo an 800 million dollars transformation, the USTA said on Monday, with a "top-to-bottom" modernisation of the famed Arthur Ashe Stadium and a new player performance centre planned for the sprawling Queens campus.Work at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre will be completed by the 2027 U.S. Open, with construction taking place in phases to avoid any interruption of the 2025 or 2026 editions of the tournament.advertisementThe project will be entirely self-funded by the USTA, without the use of any public funds or taxpayer money, the sport's national governing body said, calling it the largest single investment in U.S. Open history.
"This project enables us to maintain the greatest stage in tennis - Arthur Ashe Stadium - which was constructed more than 25 years ago, and modernise it in a way that will set it up for the next 25 years," USTA CEO and Executive Director Lew Sherr said in a statement."It also provides us the opportunity to give the players that compete in that stadium an unparalleled space that will enable them to perform at their best and enjoy a higher level of luxury and comfort while they are off the court."The Arthur Ashe Stadium upgrades include the addition of a new "grand entrance" to the facility, 2,000 new seats to the courtside level bowl and two new luxury suite levels.advertisementThe stadium, by far the largest tennis facility in the world by capacity, will also have upgraded concourses, dining and retail shops.A two-story, $250 million player performance center will include expanded indoor and outdoor fitness and warm-up areas, improved indoor player dining facilities and redesigned locker rooms that promise a "spa-like experience".The renovations are a far cry from the days when players could expect a keg of beer in the men's locker room to be the best amenity on offer, four-times winner John McEnroe told reporters at a Manhattan event."Back in our day, we'd be like 'What the hell is this?'," said 66-year-old McEnroe, a native New Yorker and the last man to win a major with a wooden racket."To see the level that USTA is going to for the U.S. Open ... I know the players are going to be absolutely thrilled to see this."The announcement comes seven years after the USTA completed a five-year, $600 million renovation project at the grounds.The more than 14,000-capacity Louis Armstrong Stadium opened in 2018 to replace the 1978 stadium of the same name, boasting a retractable roof.The U.S. Open welcomed more than one million fans, a record, in 2024. The tournament's main draw was expanded to last 15 days in 2025, with the added day allowing main draw access for another 70,000 attendees or more, organisers said.Trending Reel
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
US Open: 'Probably the toughest golf course', says DeChambeau as Scheffler chases back-to-back majors
Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau described Oakmont as 'probably the toughest golf course' he's ever played, as the US Open tees off on Thursday with world number one Scottie Scheffler aiming for back-to-back major titles. Known for its unforgiving layout, treacherous greens and tricky bunkers, Oakmont is expected to test every aspect of a player's game. "This is probably the toughest golf course in the world right now," DeChambeau, seeking his third US Open victory in six years, said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Meanwhile, Scheffler arrives in top form after winning the PGA Championship and seeks to cement his dominance with another major triumph, making this one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year. Scheffler is trying to become the first man to win consecutive majors since Jordan Spieth in 2015 by taking his first US Open title. Live Events Scheffler highlighted the challenge posed by Oakmont's tall rough, remarking, 'What's so special about this place is that almost every time you miss the fairway, it's extremely tough to get the ball onto the green.' Scheffler, who claimed Olympic gold in Paris among his nine victories last year, enters the US Open in red-hot form, having won three of his last four starts. Scheffler begins at 1:25 p.m. when he starts off the first tee alongside fourth-ranked American compatriot Collin Morikawa and Norway's Viktor Hovland . Five-time major champion and world number two Rory McIlroy , who has shown signs of improvement after recent struggles with his driver, will tee off from the 10th at 7:40 a.m. alongside England's Justin Rose and Ireland's Shane Lowry. McIlroy, representing Northern Ireland, has a shot at making history by becoming just the seventh player to win both the Masters and the US Open in the same year. He would join an elite group that includes Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Jordan Spieth, Arnold Palmer, Craig Wood, and Ben Hogan — legendary names in the sport's rich history.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Scheffler chases back-to-back majors at US Open
Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler launches his bid for back-to-back major titles as the US Open gets under way on Thursday. The world's top golfers face an ultimate challenge at Oakmont, where dense rough, sloped fast greens and tricky bunkers have Scheffler among many calling it the hardest course they might ever play. "This is probably the toughest golf course in the world right now," defending US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau said. Scheffler noted the tall rough, saying, "What's so special about this place is pretty much every time you're off the fairway it's going to be very difficult for you to get the ball to the green." Scheffler, whose nine wins last year included Paris Olympic gold, has won three of his past four starts and his matchup against iconic Oakmont is golf's version of a heavyweight showdown. It begins at 1:25 p.m. when he starts off the first tee alongside fourth-ranked American compatriot Collin Morikawa and Norway's Viktor Hovland. After capturing last month's PGA Championship for his third major crown, Scheffler is trying to become the first man to win consecutive majors since Jordan Spieth in 2015 by taking his first US Open title. Scheffler is a heavy oddsmakers' favorite but tries to ignore such things, especially after bettors forced him to dump his Venmo account. "I was either getting paid by people or people requesting me a bunch of money when I didn't win. It wasn't a good feeling," Scheffler said. Second-ranked Rory McIlroy, who won the Masters in April to complete a career Grand Slam, and DeChambeau, who won last month at LIV Golf Korea, will be among the first to test Oakmont after Indianapolis dentist and former Oakmont caddie Matt Vogt hits the opening shot off the first tee at 6:45 a.m. Five-time major winner McIlroy, who says he has seen progress after driver struggles in the past month, begins off the 10th tee at 7:40 a.m. with playing partners Justin Rose of England and Shane Lowry of Ireland. Northern Ireland's McIlroy could become only the seventh player to win the Masters and US Open in the same year, joining Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Spieth, Arnold Palmer, Craig Wood and Ben Hogan. DeChambeau, seeking his third US Open victory in six years, goes off the first 10 at 7:29 a.m. alongside fourth-ranked US countryman Xander Schauffele, the reigning British Open champion, and Spain's Jose Luis Ballester, the reigning US Amateur champion. Phil Mickelson, who turns 55 Monday, can complete a career Grand Slam with a victory. He starts at 8:02 a.m. off the 10th tee, two groups behind McIlroy. Mickelson, the oldest major winner at age 50 from his 2021 PGA Championship victory, is a six-time major champion and six-time US Open runner-up. A field of 156 from a record 10,202 entries will be trimmed to the low 60 and ties for the last two rounds, although thunderstorms are in the weekend forecast. js/rcw
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Paulina Gretzky set to inherit incredible fortune and stunning luxury boat from hockey icon Wayne Gretzky
As Dustin Johnson pursues another shot at U.S. Open glory, attention has shifted to his wife, Paulina Gretzky—not just for her support, but because of what she stands to inherit from her legendary father, Wayne Gretzky. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While Johnson has secured massive paydays from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, Paulina's future is lined with generational wealth thanks to her father's illustrious career and lavish lifestyle. Wayne Gretzky's fortune and assets are shaping Paulina's multi-million dollar legacy Wayne Gretzky, often referred to as 'The Great One,' is more than just a hockey legend—he's a financial powerhouse. With an estimated net worth of $250 million, Gretzky holds 61 NHL records and has turned his post-retirement years into a business empire. For Paulina, this means inheriting not only an enormous fortune but also a portfolio of jaw-dropping properties and luxury items. Among his holdings, Gretzky owns a lakefront estate in Idaho, multiple Florida homes, and a childhood residence in Brantford, Ontario. He even repurchased his famed 'Gretzky Mansion' in Thousand Oaks, California, only to flip it for a profit in 2021. But one of the most unique pieces in the Gretzky collection isn't a home—it's a custom, handcrafted 34-foot Steinway 340 HT powerboat. The Steinway powerboat is more than just a toy—it's a family heirloom in the making Commissioned in 2021, this bespoke mahogany boat—built by Couer Custom—is worth $900,000 and blends elegance with engineering. It can hit speeds of 50 mph but is designed for leisure. 'I was relatively fast when I skated, but these days I drive my car slow,' Gretzky told Robb Report. 'I'll take comfort over speed any day.' The boat features plush loungers, a main cockpit with cozy sofas, a stern sunpad, and even an electric bimini for added shade. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Paulina's mother, Janet Jones, played a pivotal role in designing its stylish aesthetic. 'She's the creative one in the family; the only thing I asked for was to have a Canadian flag at the back,' Gretzky added. Also Read: Between her father's sprawling real estate, massive fortune, and luxurious custom yacht, Paulina Gretzky's future looks every bit as glamorous as her past—and Dustin Johnson may not be the biggest star in the household for much longer.
