The latest need-to-knows about the US Open
Today a new edition of the US Open has begun. This New York City based tennis championship will see the greats of the tennis world compete including defending champions Andy Murray and Serena Williams. Although world number three Sharapova is out with an injury, we can expect some great and exciting matches at the last Grand Slam of the year.
Here are a couple of recent need-to-knows about the US Open:
- The United States Tennis Association has revealed their plans for a retractable roof to be placed over Arthur Ashe Stadium and the construction of two new stadiums. The roof is scheduled to be in place by 2017. It will make the US Open the third Grand Slam with a retractable roof together with the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
- The men’s final of this and next year’s edition is scheduled to be played on Monday, not Sunday. This change has been made after the last five editions saw rain push the final to Monday.
- The 2013 US Open prize money totals $32.2 million, an increase of almost 34 percent compared to 2012. The US Open is not the only Grand Slam to increase their prize money. Wimbledon increased their prize money by 40% this year, while Roland Garros and the Australian Open have made similar changes.
- In the United States ESPN has acquired the exclusive TV rights of the US Open from 2015 onwards. This will end CBS’s spell of broadcasting the event since 1968.
