A big moment for tennis and New York City was Aug. 25, 1997, when the Arthur Ashe Stadium opened at the Billie Jean National Tennis Center.

With over 23,000 seats, it was then and still is the largest tennis stadium in the world.

“What they were thinking was 23,000 people wanted to come out day and night for 14 days to watch the US Open,” Danny Zausner, COO of USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, said. “So it was a brilliant move and 25 years later we have record-breaking grounds every year.”

What You Need To Know

  • Arthur Ashe Stadium opened Aug. 25, 1997 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

  • With over 23,000 seats, Arthur Ashe Stadium is the largest tennis stadium in the world

  • The stadium is named in honor of one of the sport's greatest champions. Arthur Ashe was the first and, so far, only Black man to win the US Open, the Australian Open and Wimbledon

Arthur Ashe Stadium helped make tennis more accessible at the US Open.

“Took it more from an exclusive intimate environment to a larger public environment to more cultures and creeds of New York and our country,” Christopher Clarey, a tennis correspondent for The New York Times, said.

The stadium is named in honor of one of the sport’s greatest champions. Arthur Ashe was the first and, so far, only Black man to win the US Open, Wimbledon and the Australian Open.

He was beloved not just for what he did for tennis but also the world. He addressed a wide range of social issues.

“Naming it for Arthur Ashe was a stroke of genius. I think it was a great call. It was an appropriate gesture. With Arthur’s history in the game. Being a pioneer as he was,” Clarey said.

The arena is a lot like the city it calls home.

Fans who have experienced “Ashe” call it loud — full of energy, even gritty.

“It think it’s electric because I think you could have a really good vantage point from seat in the stadium. And the fans are always so supportive of the Americans and everyone who’s come to play. It’s just a fun atmosphere to be a part of of,” tennis fan Natalie Hirschfeld said.

Over the years, Arthur Ashe Stadium hosted some of the biggest moments in tennis.

The year it opened, a 17-year -old Venus Williams made her first Grand Slam final.

Two years later, also at 17, little sister, Serena Williams, won her first of 23 Grand Slams.

In 2016, as part of a $500 million renovation to the tennis center, the USTA put a retractable roof over the stadium.

Another crowning achievement for an iconic arena that, after 25 years, still reigns supreme.