There may be a five-hour drive that separates Finger Lakes from Flushing Meadows, but it is a journey that many will be prepared to make in order to sit courtside at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for the playing of the US Open. In fact, there will be fans that flock to the US Open from the most far-flung places of the globe given the unending appeal of this vibrant Grand Slam.

Farewells

The 2022 edition of the tournament could be one of the biggest examples of this phenomenon given that Serena Williams plans on using the tournament to bid farewell to the world before retiring. With this in mind, you can imagine that Williams’ die-hard fans will jump at the chance to see her in action for the last time. As for going out on an all-time high by winning in the Big Apple, the latest US Open odds suggest this eventuality is a longshot with Williams at a price of +2500 to win her 24th Grand Slam title.

Still, a relatively modest showing at the US Open won’t deter the world from descending upon New York in August to witness one of the greats retire. Apart from the Williams factor, however, what is it about the US Open that captures the imagination?

The Never-Ending Action in the City That Never Sleeps

In short, the answer is New York. Indeed, New York is the biggest host city of any of the Grand Slams and provides an electric atmosphere that can’t be matched in either Melbourne, Paris, or London. In particular, it is the atmosphere during the late-night games that inspires the most given that the world’s best players are going toe-to-toe in a thrilling battle whilst the city that never sleeps comes to life.

During these epic showdowns after dark, the Arthur Ashe Stadium finds its voice and provides a pulsating backdrop that is only ever seen or heard in New York during the US Open.

The Unmatched Prize Money

The US Open has always been the Grand Slam that offers the biggest purse to the winners which, as you can imagine, inspires the players to put it all on the line in order to walk away with tennis’ most lucrative prize.

In 2021, the purse was set at $57.5 million for the entire tournament with the winners of the singles finals taking home $2,500,000 each. In addition to that, the doubles champions walked away with $660,000 while the mixed doubles winners received $160,000. 

Last Chance Saloon 

Finally, the US Open is unique given that it is the last Grand Slam of the year which essentially means that it is now or never for those who have yet to record a major win in the calendar year.

Unsurprisingly, this means that the sense of pressure increases, and the stakes are dramatically raised. Crucially, this ensures that the world is also treated to a different winner almost every year, which can’t be said for the other Grand Slams. Indeed, there have been four different winners in the men’s US Open over the last four years while there have been three different winners of the women’s US Open since 2019.

In conclusion, when New York and the US Open team up, they deliver one of the most breathtaking sporting spectacles in the world.