US Open: New Courts, New Balls

Three Grand Slam tournaments have gone by this year. One remains. You know, the one in New York? Fastest hard courts in the world? Day and night sessions?

If you're a casual tennis fan and can't tell the difference between the US and Australian Opens, the United States Tennis Association wants to do something about it. Beginning this year, they're resurfacing the courts at Flushing Meadows and painting them blue with a green outer court. This new color scheme also supposedly helps players and spectators see the ball better.


The color scheme will also be applied to the ten tournaments that comprise the US Open Series which lead up to the US Open. It's supposed to give the whole summer hard court season in the US a distinct look, and could possibly contribute to a better brand awareness for the US Open.

There are also more changes in the offing, particularly this one: fans get to keep any balls hit into the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the US Open. That's terrific for fans because they get a keepsake, but could it impact matchplay? Players before serving will usually choose the ball that's been used least; newer balls haven't fuzzed up as much and will move through the air faster. They also have a higher bounce to them on average compared to balls that have been played more. Since new balls are given after a set number of games in a match, the player serving with the new balls is usually seen to have an advantage (higher chance of aceing the opponent, I guess). Will the lost ball be replaced in play by a new ball, or will they pull out an old ball from under the umpire's seat?

Regardless of the changes, the US Open for me still brings out really exciting matches, and the festival atmosphere could only get better this year. Hopefully, not to the players' detriment.

posted by Noelle De Guzman @ 1:45 PM