Celebrating the 2010 US Open with Fun Facts and Trivia

The 2010 US Open officially kicks off tomorrow, August 30th with first round tennis action at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. As the fourth Grand Slam of the year (Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon make up the other three), the US Open attracts top level tennis players vying for the chance to hoist the coveted trophy high above their head. To celebrate the start of the US Open, let's take a look at some fun and interesting tennis facts about the 2010 US Open.

This year, the top men's and women's tennis champion will receive $1,700,000 in prize money for winning the US Open. The runner-ups will receive a respectable $850,000. What if your favorite player is knocked out in the first round? They will still receive $3,000 for their time spent on the tennis court.

Total prize money for the 2010 US Open is a staggering $22.6 million purse. This is a $1 million increase over last year's US Open making it the richest purse in all of tennis.

The US Open is the only Grand Slam title that has alluded Rafael Nadal.

The 2010 US Open is doing it's part to be a green event this year. From well-placed recycle bins located throughout the venue to using paper products that are made from recycled materials to transporting players in Mercedes-Benz hybrid vehicles, the 2010 US Open will be eco-friendly.

Andy Roddick won his first and only Grand Slam event here at the US Open. Roddick took the title in 2003. Roddick is seeded 9th in this year's tennis event but is hoping to repeat his 2003 success.

Arthur Ashe won the US Open in 1968. Because Ashe had amateur status (he was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army), he was unable to accept the $14,400 in prize money. Instead he was only eligible for the $20 per diem.

Bill Tilden holds the title of playing in the most US Open men's finals with a total of ten appearances. Molla B. Mallory is the woman who has played in the most women's finals with a total of ten also.

Pete Sampras holds the title of the youngest men's tennis player to win the US Open. Sampras took the title in 1990 at the age of 19 years, 0 months, and 28 days. The youngest women's tennis player was Tracy Austin in 1979. Austin was 16 years old, 8 months, and 28 days.

The largest single attendance record set at the US Open took place on September 4th, 2009 with 37,388 people enjoying tennis.

The first US Open for men was held in 1881 at the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island. The women's tournament was added six years later.

To find out more about the US Open, please click here.

Sources:
www.usopen.org
US Open Fan Guide