The United States Tennis Association (USTA) will have a series of expanded fan enhancements, new programs and new technology advancements for the 2007 U.S. Open. New enhancements include the availability of hand-held televisions providing coverage and highlights from five show courts; a first-ever on-site Sports Desk; a USOpen.org nightly highlight show and a special Opening Night Celebration.
Returning innovations from last year include instant replay with player challenges; the U.S. Open Champions Invitational, featuring 18 Grand Slam champions/finalists; the U.S. Open Court of Champions attraction; and an expansion of last year’s program that allows fans in all three stadium courts to keep balls hit into the stands.
“We continue to explore new ways to expand the fan experience at the U.S. Open, and add to the way people watch and enjoy the sport of tennis,” said Arlen Kantarian, Chief Executive, Professional Tennis, USTA.
New Programs and Events
Hand-Held TVs - “American Express Vision:” For the first time, American Express Card members will be able to check out a free personal television to watch live television coverage from any of five courts, as well as the network broadcasts of the U.S. Open by CBS and USA Network. Fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium or on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center grounds will be able to watch TV coverage from the outer courts, view instant replays, and access draws and player bios when and how they want, on their personal TV. The hand-held units are free for American Express cardholders.
New On-Site Sports Desk:A new on-site sports desk has been constructed in the South Plaza just outside of Arthur Ashe Stadium to serve as a central hub for live broadcasts for both CBS and USA Network. In addition, the desk will be utilized for other live broadcast activities to further enhance the fan experience on-site as well as interest and excitement for TV viewers.
Interactive DIRECTV Coverage:DIRECTV, USA Network and the USTA are providing tennis fans with interactive TV coverage through U.S. Open Interactive on USA on DIRECTV. Free to DIRECTV customers, the interactive service will provide unprecedented access to more early round matches, statistics and information on demand, and the ability to view up to five matches simultaneously.
Nightly Highlight Show web cast on USOpen.org:This year, a new broadband Highlight Show sponsored by American Express at 6:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. will be streamed daily on the official website of the U.S. Open. In addition, on Monday, September 3, USOpen.org will present the second live web cast of the night session matches on USOpen.org.
Kids Performing Anthems:The USTA held an open casting call auditioning boys and girls age 14 and under to sing the national anthem prior to night sessions at the U.S. Open. Kids from all over the country turned out in front of a panel of celebrity judges. The best talent was selected and will perform the national anthem live at night sessions.
Live Outdoor Telecasts in New York City:American Express will present U.S. Open tournament viewing events at Rockefeller Center and Madison Square Park free to the public, September 1-9. Both locations open to the public from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Returning Fan Enhancements
“Instant Replay” Electronic Line Calling: Instant replay technology with player challenges will return to Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium. Again this year, all challenges will be fed to stadium video boards and home televisions so that players, fans and officials see the result of the call simultaneously. This year, the review system will be sponsored by JPMorgan Chase and will be know as the “Chase Challenge.”
Fans Keep Balls:The tradition of fans keeping balls hit into the stands, introduced in 2005 in Arthur Ashe Stadium only, will now be expanded to all three main show courts. The chair umpire will maintain a variety of balls with different levels of wear to replace the balls kept by spectators.
Players Autograph Balls:At the end of each match, the winner will autograph three balls and hit them into the stands. This post-match tradition, introduced in 2005 in Arthur Ashe Stadium only, will be expanded this year to include all three main show courts.
U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Competition:Now in its third year, the U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Competition promises to be bigger and better than ever. The competition once again features the sport’s top wheelchair athletes. And this year there will be a separate Quad Division along with an increase in prize money from $50,000 to $75,000.
The U.S. Open is the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world and attracted a crowd of more than 640,000 in 2006. More than 95 million viewers watched the 2006 US Open on CBS Sports and USA Network, and international broadcasts reached 184 countries. The 2007 US Open will be held Monday, August 27 through Sunday, September 9.
