The US Open, the last Grand Slam tournament of the season, is known for shocks and thrilling matches that can run late into the night. But it also is one of the most accessible tennis tournaments in the world. You can watch all the action live on TV, either in the United States or across the pond on TSN and Sky Sports.
During the two weeks of the tournament, the field of 128 singles and 64 doubles players dwindles until the best remain to battle it out for a chance at US Open glory in Flushing Meadows. This year, some big changes have taken place, including the addition of mixed doubles and a move to a Sunday start on the main draw, which is scheduled for Aug. 24 to Sept. 7. Nicole Kankam, managing director of pro tennis marketing and entertainment for the United States Tennis Association, joined “Mornings On 1” on Tuesday to discuss those changes and more.
She said the decision to shift to a Sunday opening was based on the success of recent years’ tournaments, with the highest single-day attendance in its history and more days of main-draw competition than ever before. “We’re bringing the fans more access than ever before,” she said, referring to the new format and other changes such as adding six additional days of free grounds admission before the main draw starts.
Still, it seems like a missed opportunity to expand the tournament’s audience. There are few events more popular in American sports than the NFL, which starts its season on a Sunday, and forcing people to choose between an Open and a football game seems absurd.