New York – In a candid post‑match interview at the U.S. Open, Polish No. 8 seed Iga Swiatek expressed a clear preference for the tournament’s smaller Grandstand venue over the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. While Ashe, with its 24,000‑seat capacity, remains the centerpiece of the Grand Slam, Swiatek said the intimacy of the Grandstand’s roughly 8,000‑seat setting felt more comfortable.
Why the Grandstand feels “more normal”
“Well, Ashe is really alive. Sometimes too much, I’d say,” Swiatek told reporters after her 7‑6(3) 7‑6(3) third‑round win over Marie Bouzkova. “This court is nice. Honestly, I don’t see any negatives about it. It has fewer screens. It’s smaller in a way that’s more normal, because Ashe is huge. The court seems small compared to the green part that you have around it.”
She added, “It’s not easy to play on that court. The Grandstand seems nice and normal, a nice court. I don’t really mind, honestly.” The Polish star highlighted the reduced crowd noise and the more personal connection with the roughly 8,000 spectators as key factors that helped her focus.
Other players echo the sentiment
Swiatek was not alone in noting the overwhelming atmosphere of the larger venues. Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, the fifth seed, described the noise level at the U.S. Open as unlike anything he typically encounters on tour. After a loss to Belgian Alexander Blockx on Louis Armstrong Stadium, Cobolli said, “We’re always used to playing with silence, nobody moving, nobody talking, with a great atmosphere. Here it’s really different. It’s very, very loud. For us, it’s very tough to play.” He acknowledged that adapting to such environments may require more weeks of exposure on the tour.
What the Grandstand offers fans
The Grandstand, located on the Flushing Meadows‑Corona Park grounds, provides a more traditional stadium experience. Its lower seating bowl and reduced screen count create a setting that many players, including Swiatek, find less intimidating. For fans, the venue offers clearer sightlines and a closer proximity to the action, enhancing the overall spectator experience.
U.S. Open officials have emphasized that both venues serve distinct purposes: Arthur Ashe Stadium delivers the spectacle and grandeur expected of a major final, while the Grandstand offers a more intimate setting for early‑round matches. This dual‑venue approach allows the tournament to accommodate a wide range of player preferences and fan experiences.
Looking ahead
As the tournament progresses toward the later rounds, the biggest matches will inevitably shift back to Arthur Ashe Stadium, where the larger crowds and heightened energy are part of the championship atmosphere. Nevertheless, Swiatek’s comments underscore the value of having a venue that balances the grandeur of a Grand Slam with a more manageable environment for players who thrive in quieter settings.
Fans attending the U.S. Open can look forward to a mix of high‑octane drama on the main court and more personal, up‑close tennis action on the Grandstand, offering something for every type of tennis enthusiast.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
