The 2019 US Open Grand Slam is welcomed by the city of New York, just three miles outside of Queens to be exact. The tournament will be held over multiple courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with the final taking place in the Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis stadium in the world with a capacity of 23,771. Take a look at the men and women contending for the grand prize and place your bets with Paddy Power.

The incredible USTA operated tennis centre is a perfect venue for holding one of the biggest tennis tournaments in the sporting calendar. Discovered in 1977 as an underused Singer Bowl by William Hester (the incoming president of the USTA), the grounds were developed specifically for the use of tennis tournaments. The location of the centre is perfect for New York citizens and travellers alike as it is positioned very close to Manhattan main island and La Guardia Airport. It is far enough from the city for some clean air, but also close enough to get there via the famous NYC Subway System. The location of this centre attracts so many international spectators as not only can they witness a great sporting event, but visit one of the most exciting cities in the world.

Formerly called the USTA National Tennis Center, the facility was re-named and dedicated to Billie Jean King in August 2006 for her incredible work within the sport. Billie Jean King not only founded the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973 but also competed against Bobby Riggs in the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ to demand women a place in the sport of tennis and for better pay. With her success on the court, Billie Jean King then went on to pave the way for women, who now receive the same amount of prize money as men for every Grand Slam tournament across the globe. A true legend who has also been graced with awards including the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The iconic year of 1973 has been well documented including the recent film ‘Battle of the Sexes’ starring Emma Stone as Billie Jean King and Steve Carell as opponent Bobby Riggs.

The centre itself is made up of multiple courts, 33 in total, with 11 courts being in the adjoining park. It includes three stadiums and among that, the largest stadium in the world: The Arthur Ashe Stadium which holds a maximum capacity of 23,771; the Louis Armstrong Stadium holding 14,000; and the Grandstand which has a maximum capacity of 8,125. All of the courts at this facility use DecoTurf cushioned acrylic surface, meaning those who loved the natural lawns at Wimbledon earlier this year, will have to adapt their game slightly for the hardcourt surface.

The US Open has been held at this facility every year since 1978 and as the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year, it is set out to be a good one. With last year’s attendance reaching an all-time high of 732,663 people, you can be sure to find great atmospheres on every single court. The prize money for the singles final will be $3.8 million, the doubles $700,000 and the mixed doubles $155,000 – plenty up for grabs! But who will rise as a champion?