The US Open is one of tennis’ most coveted tournaments and has seen some of the sports greatest moments over the years. From Scotland’s own Andy Murray achieving his first Grand Slam victory in 2012 to Emma Raducanu’s epic tournament win in 2021, this is a competition not to be missed.
What is the US Open
The US Open is the fourth and final Grand Slam Tournament of the tennis season. First held in August 1881, the US Open is one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world, and is the only Grand Slam to not be cancelled or interrupted by World War I, World War II, or the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The tournament is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on the last Monday of August each year for two weeks; with the middle weekend coinciding with the US Labour Day holiday.
The US Open sees tennis superstars from across the globe flock to The Big Apple to grace the famous courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Home to some of the sports’ greatest moments, the US Open saw Andy Murray win his maiden Grand Slam in 2012 where he defeated the defending champion Novak Djokovic becoming the first British man to win a major title since Fred Perry in 1936. In more recent years, Emma Raducanu achieved US Open glory in 2021, where she became the first qualifier in the Open Era to win a major singles title, beating Leylah Fernandez in the final without dropping a set in the tournament.
What Makes A Hardcourt Tennis Surface Unique?
Like the Australian Open, the US Open is played on a hardcourt surface, similar to the playing surface of our brand new Indoor Tennis Centre. This results in a medium-fast play, as the court absorbs little of the tennis ball’s energy. As a result of this, the tennis ball can have a tendency to bounce high, allowing players to apply a range of spin with their shots. Be sure to take plenty of notes when watching your favourite players battle it out to impress your friends when the Oriam Indoor Tennis Centre opens its doors.
Danny’s US Open Player’s To Watch
Ahead of the US Open, we sat down with our Tennis Manager, Danny Curtis to discuss his potential break out stars at this year’s tournament. With some of the world’s best tennis players on show, its sure to be a classic.
Men’s Players to Watch
Following a dramatic conclusion to this year’s Wimbledon, attention now shifts to New York for the 2025 US Open — and this could be the tournament where Jannik Sinner truly takes centre stage and establishes himself as the man to beat. After a convincing victory over Carlos Alcaraz in London, the Italian has will be brimming with confidence. With his explosive baseline game and improved fitness turning heads all season, Sinner will be looking to add another trophy to his collection.Â
Jack Draper
Jack Draper arrives in New York with quiet confidence and growing momentum behind him. After a season marked by consistent progress and a handful of statement wins, the 23-year-old Brit is no longer just a promising prospect — he’s a genuine threat. With his booming serve, aggressive baseline play, and improved resilience in five-set matches, Draper has shown he can go toe-to-toe with the very best.
Alexander Zverev
This part of the tennis calendar is where Zverev thrives. He’s won Washington, Toronto and Cincinnati previously, plus he has made the final of the US Open already and made the semis of Cincinnati.
Ben Shelton
Ben Shelton heads into the 2025 US Open riding a wave of confidence after a standout season that’s seen him break into the top 10 for the first time. The American’s fearless shot-making, electric athleticism, and on-court swagger have made him a fan favourite and a nightmare for opponents. He captured his first ATP 500 title earlier this year in Washington and followed it up with a semi-final run in Miami, firmly establishing himself as a contender on hard courts
Women’s Players to Watch
The 2025 US Open women’s draw promises another thrilling chapter in what’s been a fiercely competitive season on the WTA Tour. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka remains the benchmark with her relentless consistency and mental toughness, looking to defend her title. Coco Gauff returns to home soil looking to recapture the magic of her breakout win in 2023. Aryna Sabalenka, with her explosive power and improved composure, continues to be a major force, especially on hard courts
Emma Raducanu
Four years on from her unforgettable 2021 triumph, Emma Raducanu returns to the US Open in 2025 with renewed purpose and a point to prove. After an injury-disrupted spell, the 22-year-old has steadily rebuilt her form and fitness this season, showing flashes of the fearless tennis that took her to Grand Slam glory as a teenager. With a new coaching setup and a string of encouraging results on the summer hard court swing, Raducanu is starting to look like a serious contender once again.
Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff returns to the US Open in 2025 as a national icon. Her historic title run in 2023 captured hearts around the world, and since then, she’s only grown in stature — on and off the court. Gauff has added maturity, tactical sharpness, and a more dominant serve to her already electric game
Doubles
The mixed doubles looks to be an exciting tournament with Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu receiving a wildcard entry.Â
The lineup also includes reigning US Open mixed doubles champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, along with current women’s doubles world No. 1 Taylor Townsend. Joining them is 14-time Grand Slam women’s doubles champion and two-time mixed doubles champion Venus Williams, who will aim for a place in the only Grand Slam final she’s never reached — whether in singles, doubles, or mixed doubles.
Coaching Tip – Playing on Hard Courts
With our brand new Indoor Tennis Centre set to open soon, the US Open offers the perfect opportunity to watch how the pros master the hard court. Our new tennis courts will offer this high quality playing surface in Edinburgh, allowing for local players to put their tennis skills to the test on this medium-fast playing surface. Ahead of the launch of our new tennis facility, Tennis Manager, Danny Curtis, has shared some top tips for playing on hard courts.
Hard Courts vs Clay and Grass
Hard courts are a different animal to clay and grass. Grass courts typically have a lower, faster bounce benefitting fast serves and net players and Clay is a slower, higher bouncing surface favouring steady baseliners.
Hard courts sit somewhere in between the two.
Use the Courts to Your AdvantageÂ
Hard courts are known for their medium-fast speed and moderately high bounce, and you can use these characteristics to your advantage. Â
Try hitting shots with more topspin to take advantage of the bounce and create more margin for error.Â
You can also use the speed of the court to your advantage by hitting shots with pace and depth to push your opponent back and create more opportunities to attack.Â
Play to Your StrengthsÂ
Every player has their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and hard-court tennis is no exception. If you have a big serve or a powerful forehand, use those weapons to your advantage on hard courts. Â
Look for opportunities to hit aggressive shots and put pressure on your opponent. If you’re more of a defensive player, focus on keeping the ball in play and forcing your opponent to make mistakes. Â
Hard court tennis benefits all types of playing styles. Â
We can’t wait to see how the tournament unfolds over the next few weeks. Will we see another epic battle between Alcaraz and Djokovic , or will a new challenger rise in pursuit of US Open glory? If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest Oriam Tennis news and updates from Danny and the team, join our newsletter today.