Stadium 17

123-40 Roosevelt Avenue | also 56-01 Grand Central Parkway | Flushing Meadows-Corona Park | built 2019

The city photographed every building for its tax records around 1940 and again in the 1980s. NYC Municipal Archives.

Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.

2011
Court 17 opens at the US Open, with Richard Gasquet winning its first match
The court made its debut at the 2011 US Open as Court 17, created by combining two former outer courts into one larger show court. In its first match Richard Gasquet beat Sergiy Stakhovsky in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0. It is the fourth-largest court at the National Tennis Center and the smallest of its show courts.
“The stadium was unveiled at the 2011 US Open as "Court 17" in the former location of two outer courts…”
Source: Wikipedia
2011
Old World's Fair footings and a high water table leave Court 17 sunk eight feet, earning it the name The Pit
Digging for the new stadium, workers struck concrete footings left from the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs, and the water table turned out a foot or two higher than expected. The court ended up sunk 8 feet below grade, which is where the nickname "The Pit" comes from. It has become known for loud crowds and remains the only US Open show court without reserved seats.
“…officials say they encountered concrete footings from the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs... This led to the court sitting 8 feet (2.4 m) below ground level…”
Source: Wikipedia
2025
The Loft Bar @ 17 opens on top of the stadium with standing views of the court
In 2025 tournament officials added "The Loft Bar @ 17," a shaded bar perched at the top of the stadium. Its patrons watch matches from standing room overlooking the sunken court.
Source: Wikipedia

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