Love-15: As 2018 draws to a close, USTA.com is taking a look back at the top 15 storylines, headlines and highlights from the year in American tennis. Now up, the finishing touches to a new and improved home for the US Open.
 

The final piece of the five-year, $600 million transformation of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center fell into place this summer with the opening of the new Louis Armstrong Stadium.
 

The 14,000-seat stadium gives the US Open a second arena with a retractable roof, greatly enhancing the tournament for players, fans and broadcasters.
 

The stadium was opened at a special dedication ceremony during Fan Week by guests including four-time US Open champion John McEnroe, internationally acclaimed musician Wynton Marsalis and former New York City Mayor David Dinkins.
 

Its opening brought to an end the strategic transformation of the tennis center. ADVERTISEMENT In total, around 85 percent of the grounds have been improved over the past five years, headlined by the addition of a retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium in 2016 and a new 8,125-seat Grandstand stadium.
 

Other notable upgrades included a 450-foot long, 40-foot wide pathway between Court 17 and the new Grandstand, expanded bleacher seating on all field courts and raised walkways connecting Courts 8, 9 and 10 and Courts 13, 14, 15 and 16. A mini food village increased food options at the new Grandstand, a popular oyster bar debuted behind Court 7 and two levels of concessions opened with the unveiling of the new Louis Armstrong Stadium.
 

In addition, new indoor-outdoor hospitality spaces were introduced above the main food village, and new retail spaces and lounge areas opened within Louis Armstrong Stadium. For players, notable enhancements included a larger player garden, new warmup areas, extra food and drink spaces and new quiet rooms.

 

For more American tennis highlights from 2018, be sure to check out our Year in Review page here.