USTA Launches New Programming and Fan Enhancements for 2007 US Open
New features include free hand-held TVs and more
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chris Widmaier
widmaier@usta.com
08/20/07 - The USTA today announced a series of expanded fan enhancements, new programs and new technology advancements for the 2007 US 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 US Open Champions Invitational, featuring 18 Grand Slam champions/finalists; the US 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 US 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 Cardmembers 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 US 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 US 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.
New Design and Expanded Content for USOpen.org: New to USOpen.org, fans can follow the interactive draw via the US Open Tournament Tracker, which allows fans to monitor the progress of their favorite players by charting their paths using real-time information. With five shows daily, USOpen.org TV brings fans inside access to the tournament, including a behind-the-scenes extravaganza hosted by Murphy Jensen, player interviews hosted by Taylor Dent, insights from the media center, press conferences, classic matches and more.
Nightly Highlight Show Webcast 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 US Open. In addition, on Monday, September 3, USOpen.org will present the second live webcast of the night session matches on USOpen.org.
Kids Performing Anthems: The USTA has held an open casting call auditioning boys and girls age 14 and under to sing the national anthem prior to night sessions at the US Open. Kids from all over the U.S. turned out in front of a panel of celebrity judges. The best talent has been selected and will perform the national anthem live at night sessions.
Live Outdoor Telecasts in New York City: American Express will present US 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., will be transformed into interactive tennis experiences complete with giant viewing screens carrying live coverage from CBS and USA Network. Madison Square Park will also feature a photo exhibit of past Grand Slam winners and other tennis greats; player-instruction, including a serve-analysis station; and concessions. Family weekend at Madison Square Park will be hosted from Saturday, September 1, to Monday, September 3, featuring interactive activities for the entire family.
Special Opening Night Ceremony: A special “Breaking Barriers” on-court ceremony, paying tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Althea Gibson’s historic win at the U.S. Nationals in 1957, features a number of pioneering African American women from the worlds of sports, politics and academia in a fitting tribute to a true champion. The event will feature a musical performance by Aretha Franklin and other performers.
South Plaza Food Kiosks: Two new food kiosks have been added to the South Plaza pavilion in front of Arthur Ashe Stadium, and join the existing Heineken Red Star Cafe. The South Plaza, with the addition of two fountains, a new electronic information and scoreboard and state-of-the-art oversized video screen, has become one of the main attractions and destinations on the grounds of the US Open.
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.”
US Open Champions Invitational: Now in its second year, the US Open Champions Invitational will be held Tuesday, September 4, through Saturday, September 8. Each of the 18 players has been a Grand Slam champion or finalist. Competitors include such names as Martina Navratilova, Stan Smith, Todd Martin, Mats Wilander, Jana Novotna, Pat Cash, Todd Martin, Guillermo Vilas and Mary Joe Fernandez. Players will compete either in singles or in mixed doubles.
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.
US Open Wheelchair Tennis Competition: Now in its third year, the US 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.
US Open Polo Virtual Store: Polo Ralph Lauren, the official apparel sponsor of the US Open, will return with interactive shopping via an on-site virtual store located on the Club level of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Polo Ralph Lauren has also built a brand-new retail location on the Club level of Ashe. Shoppers, using cutting-edge touch screen technology, will be able to pick up their favorite US Open fashions at three free-standing kiosks on the Club level of Ashe.
US Open Court of Champions: The US Open Court of Champions features a complete listing of all the US Open and U.S. Championships singles winners, along with individual monuments honoring the best of the best—including this year’s honoree, Althea Gibson. The US Open Court of Champions attraction is located between the South Plaza and Courts 10 and 13.
The US 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.
