USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Tennis center in Queens, United States
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is a tennis facility in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens with 22 courts and three major stadiums covering roughly 19 hectares (46.5 acres). The largest court, Arthur Ashe Stadium, holds over 23,000 seats and features a retractable roof to allow play during changing weather.
The facility opened in 1978 after William Hester as USTA president recognized unused land near LaGuardia Airport for developing a tennis center. In April 2020, the grounds were temporarily converted into a field hospital to support local health facilities during the pandemic.
The complex takes its name since 2006 to honor Billie Jean King, who worked for equal conditions between women and men in the sport beyond her playing career. Visitors can notice this connection throughout the grounds, which reaches beyond pure athletic achievement.
Visitors should be prepared for a large site that requires walking between different courts, especially during tournaments. Visiting outside major events can offer more quiet time, while during the US Open the entire facility operates at full capacity.
During the pandemic in 2020, the courts and facilities were converted into a makeshift hospital, using the open layout and large spaces for medical care. This transformation showed how sports venues can take on a different role during emergencies.
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