Swiatek happy to swap noisy Ashe spotlight for intimate Grandstand
NEW YORK: Arthur Ashe Stadium’s noise and spectacle are a big part of the U.S. Open’s appeal but Iga Swiatek said on Saturday that she did not mind swapping the tournament’s biggest and most boisterous venue for the more intimate surroundings of the Grandstand. With a capacity of nearly 24,000, the main showcourt is the beating heart of the year’s final Grand Slam and one of tennis’s loudest…
Arthur Ashe Stadium, the centerpiece of the U.S. Open, drew Iga Swiatek to comment on its overwhelming nature. While the 24,000-capacity venue is a major draw for the Grand Slam tournament, the Polish eighth seed appreciated the Grandstand's cozy atmosphere more. With a capacity of nearly 8,000, Swiatek found the intimate setting preferable, stating that Ashe's noise sometimes felt excessive.
She praised the smaller court, noting its normalcy compared to the expansive main court. Top seed Alexander Zverev, who also faced a noisy environment, resorted to dismissing a spectator's coaching attempts before delivering a strong performance. Czech player Jakub Mensik and fifth seed Flavio Cobolli echoed Swiatek's sentiments, expressing difficulty in adapting to the U.S. Open's loud atmosphere.
Written by urgent.news from Business Recorder's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
