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US Open Series
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
| US Open Series | |
|---|---|
 2023 US Open Series | |
 | |
| Defunct tennis tournament | |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Abolished | 2023 |
| Location | United States |
| Surface | Hard-court |
| Website | USOpenSeries.com |
The US Open Series was the name given by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to a series of North American professional tennis tournaments leading up to and including the US Open. It was part of the "North American hard-court season".
History
[edit]The Series was initially organized in 2004 as a way to focus more attention on American tennis tournaments by getting more of them on domestic television.[1] Until 2004, most summer North American tournaments were not on television, the exceptions being the prominent ATP Tour Masters 1000 events in Canada and Cincinnati. Since the inception of the series, Rafael Nadal is the only tennis player to win Canada, Cincinnati, and the US Open in a calendar year (2013), a feat referred to as the "Summer Slam" or the "North American Hardcourt Slam".[2][3]
Since the Series' inception, North American tournaments have shifted in and out of the Series. In 2023, its final year, the Series was made up of six tournaments: Newport, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Winston-Salem, Cleveland, and the US Open itself.[4] In 2024, the US Open Series website began redirecting to the US Open's official website, indicating the final end to the Series.[5]
Under the US Open's broadcast rights, ESPN held domestic rights to all US Open Series events from 2015 to 2019. The eight non-Masters tournaments received about 50 hours of television combined – about two hours on each day of their final weekends, chiefly on ESPN2. The Washington Open, which had been a part of the series since its 2004 founding, withdrew from the series starting with its 2015 edition due to frustrations over this lack of coverage and sold its exclusive coverage to Tennis Channel.[6][7] The tournament rejoined the US Open Series in 2019.[8] Since 2017, Tennis Channel broadcasts the US Open Series, except for the US Open itself, which is broadcast by ESPN.
Emirates sponsored the series under a deal in place from 2012 to 2016.[9] The $90 million, seven-year sponsorship deal was supposed to last through 2018, but Emirates decided to reallocate its commitment by sponsoring the line-calling technology on ESPN's US Open Series broadcasts.[10]
Tournaments
[edit]| Legend |
|---|
| Grand Slam Event |
| ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 |
| ATP Tour 500 and WTA 500 |
| ATP Tour 250 and WTA 250 |
| Week | Date | Men's Events | Women's Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 17 – July 23 | Newport Infosys Hall of Fame Open 2023 Champion:  Adrian Mannarino |
No Series Event Held This Week |
| 2 | July 24 – July 30 | Atlanta Atlanta Open 2023 Champion:  Taylor Fritz
|
No Series Event Held This Week |
| 3 | July 31 – August 6 | Washington D.C. Mubadala Citi DC Open 2023 Champion:  Dan Evans |
Washington D.C. Mubadala Citi DC Open 2023 Champion: Coco Gauff
|
| 4 | August 20 – August 26 | Winston-Salem Winston-Salem Open 2023 Champion:  Sebastian Baez |
Cleveland Tennis in the Land 2023 Champion:  Sara Sorribes Tormo
|
| 5-6 | August 28 – September 10 | New York US Open 2023 Champion:  Novak Djokovic |
New York US Open 2023 Champion: Coco Gauff
|
Past tournament winners
[edit]Men
[edit]| Year | Newport | Los Angeles | Indianapolis/Atlanta | Washington | Montreal/Toronto | Cincinnati | New Haven/Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Not US Open Series |  Haas (1/2) |
Roddick (1/5) |
 Hewitt (1/2) |
 Federer (1/9) |
Agassi (1/2) |
Hewitt (2/2)
|
| 2005 | Agassi (2/2) |
Ginepri (1/2) |
Roddick (2/5) |
Nadal (1/6) |
Federer (2/9) |
Blake (1/3)
| |
| 2006 | Haas (2/2) |
Blake (2/3) |
Clément (1/1) |
Federer (3/9) |
Roddick (3/5) |
 Davydenko (1/1)
| |
| 2007 |  Štěpánek (1/2) |
Tursunov (1/1) |
Roddick (4/5) |
Djokovic (1/6) |
Federer (4/9) |
Blake (3/3)
| |
| 2008 | Del Potro (1/4) |
Simon (1/1) |
Del Potro (2/4) |
Nadal (2/6) |
Murray (1/5) |
 Čilić (1/2)
| |
| 2009 | Querrey (1/3) |
Ginepri (2/2) |
Del Potro (3/4) |
Murray (2/5) |
Federer (5/9) |
Verdasco (1/1)
| |
| 2010 | Querrey (2/3) |
Fish (1/2) |
Nalbandian (1/1) |
Murray (3/5) |
Federer (6/9) |
 Stakhovsky (1/1)
| |
| 2011 |  Gulbis (1/1) |
Fish (2/2) |
Štěpánek (2/2) |
Djokovic (2/6) |
Murray (4/5) |
Isner (1/8)
| |
| 2012 | Querrey (3/3) |
Roddick (5/5) |
Dolgopolov (1/1) |
Djokovic (3/6) |
Federer (7/9) |
Isner (2/8)
| |
| 2013 | Not held | Isner (3/8) |
Del Potro (4/4) |
Nadal (3/6) |
Nadal (4/6) |
 Melzer (1/1)
| |
| 2014 | Isner (4/8) |
 Raonic (1/1) |
Tsonga (1/1) |
Federer (8/9) |
Rosol (1/1)
| ||
| 2015 | Isner (5/8) |
Not US Open Series | Murray (5/5) |
Federer (9/9) |
 Anderson (1/2)
| ||
| 2016 | Kyrgios (1/3) |
Djokovic (4/6) |
Čilić (2/2) |
Carreño Busta (1/1)
| |||
| 2017 | Isner (6/8) |
Zverev (1/2) |
 Dimitrov (1/1) |
Bautista Agut (1/1)
| |||
| 2018 | Isner (7/8) |
Nadal (5/6) |
Djokovic (5/6) |
Medvedev (1/3)
| |||
| 2019 | de Minaur (1/2) |
Kyrgios (2/3) |
Nadal (6/6) |
Medvedev (2/3) |
 Hurkacz (1/1)
| ||
| 2020 | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Djokovic (6/6) |
Cancelled | |
| 2021 | Anderson (2/2) |
Isner (8/8) |
 Sinner (1/1) |
Medvedev (3/3) |
Zverev (2/2) |
 Ivashka (1/1)
| |
| 2022 | Cressy (1/1) |
de Minaur (2/2) |
Kyrgios (3/3) |
Not US Open Series | Ćorić(1/1) |
Mannarino (1/2)
| |
| 2023 | Mannarino (2/2) |
Fritz (1/1) |
Evans (1/1) |
Not US Open Series | Báez (1/1)
|
Women
[edit]| Year | Stanford/San José | San Diego/Carlsbad | Los Angeles/Washington | Cincinnati | Montreal/Toronto | New Haven/Cleveland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Davenport (1/4) |
Davenport (2/4) |
Davenport (3/4) |
Not US Open Series | Mauresmo (1/1) |
Bovina (1/1)
|
| 2005 |  Clijsters (1/5) |
Pierce (1/1) |
Clijsters (2/5) |
Clijsters (3/5) |
Davenport (4/4)
| |
| 2006 | Clijsters (4/5) |
Sharapova (1/3) |
Dementieva (1/2) |
Ivanovic (1/2) |
Henin (1/2)
| |
| 2007 | Chakvetadze (1/1) |
Sharapova (2/3) |
Ivanovic (2/2) |
Henin (2/2) |
Kuznetsova (1/2)
| |
| 2008 | Wozniak (1/1) |
Not held | Safina (1/2) |
Safina (2/2) |
 Wozniacki (1/5)
| |
| 2009 | Bartoli (1/1) |
Pennetta (1/1) |
Janković (1/1) |
Dementieva (2/2) |
Wozniacki (2/5)
| |
| 2010 |  Azarenka (1/3) |
Kuznetsova (2/2) |
Not held | Clijsters (5/5) |
Wozniacki (3/5) |
Wozniacki (4/5)
|
| 2011 | S. Williams (1/7) |
Radwańska (1/3) |
Sharapova (3/3) |
S. Williams (2/7) |
Wozniacki (5/5)
| |
| 2012 | S. Williams (3/7) |
 Cibulková (1/2) |
Rybáriková (1/1) |
 Li (1/1) |
Kvitová (1/4) |
Kvitová (2/4)
|
| 2013 | Cibulková (2/2) |
Stosur (1/1) |
Not US Open Series | Azarenka (2/3) |
S. Williams (4/7) |
 Halep (1/3)
|
| 2014 | S. Williams (5/7) |
Not held | S. Williams (6/7) |
Radwańska (2/3) |
Kvitová (3/4)
| |
| 2015 | Kerber (1/1) |
Not US Open Series | S. Williams (7/7) |
Bencic (1/1) |
Kvitová (4/4)
| |
| 2016 | Konta (1/1) |
Not held | Ka. Plíšková (1/1) |
Halep (2/3) |
Radwańska (3/3)
| |
| 2017 | Keys (1/2) |
Muguruza (1/1) |
Svitolina (1/1) |
Gavrilova (1/1)
| ||
| 2018 | Buzărnescu (1/1) |
 Bertens (1/1) |
Halep (3/3) |
Sabalenka (1/1)
| ||
| 2019 | Zheng (1/1) |
Keys (2/2) |
Andreescu (1/1) |
Not held | ||
| 2020 | Cancelled | Azarenka (3/3) |
Cancelled | |||
| 2021 | Collins (1/1) |
Barty (1/1) |
Giorgi (1/1) |
 Kontaveit (1/1)
| ||
| 2022 |  Kasatkina (1/1) |
Not US Open Series | Garcia (1/1) |
Not US Open Series | Samsonova (1/1)
| |
| 2023 | Not held | Gauff (1/1) |
Not US Open Series | Sorribes Tormo (1/1)
|
Bonus Challenge
[edit]Upon the Series' creation in 2004, the US Open Series Bonus Challenge was introduced. Each event in the series would award a certain number of points depending on the event's tier (such as Premier 5), with players accumulating points based on how they performed.[11] At the end of the Series, the top three male and top three female players with the most Bonus Challenge points would earn prize money in addition to the prize money earned from the individual tournaments. The amount depended on their placement in the Bonus Challenge standings and their US Open result. In 2010, for example, this amounted to $1 million for winning both the Bonus Challenge and the US Open itself.
Lleyton Hewitt and Lindsay Davenport were the top point-getters in 2004, Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters won in 2005, and Andy Roddick and Ana Ivanovic won in 2006. Defending US Open champions Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova won in 2007. In 2005, whereas Roddick was upset in the first round against Gilles Müller at the Open, Clijsters became the first player to win both the US Open Series and the US Open, receiving $2.2 million, at the time the largest payday in women's sports. Clijsters defeated Frenchwoman Mary Pierce in straight sets: 6–3, 6–1.[12] In 2010 she won $2.2 million again, this time $1.7 million for the US Open title and $500,000 in bonus for second place in the US Open Series.[13] In 2007, Federer became the first male player and the second player overall to win the US Open Series and go on to win the US Open, winning $1.4 million plus the US Open Series bonus of $1 million, bringing his prize winning total to $2.4 million.[14] This topped Clijsters' $2.2 million as the biggest US Open payday to date. In 2013, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal both won the US Open after also winning the US Open Series. Due to several considerable prize money increments over the years, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal surpassed Roger Federer's US Open Series payday record by winning $3.6 million each, and they shared the record for the largest prize money paycheck in tennis history for a single tennis tournament.[15][16] In 2014, Serena Williams would repeat her previous year performance in winning both the US Open Series and the US Open. She now stands alone in the record for the biggest payday in tennis history, with a total amount of $4 million.[17] Starting from 2017, the US Open Series ceased featuring a Bonus Challenge.[18][19]
Points distribution
[edit]2008–2016
[edit]| Round | ATP Masters 1000 WTA Premier 5 |
ATP World Tour 500 & 250 WTA Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 100 |
70
|
| Finalist | 70 |
45
|
| Semifinalist | 45 |
25
|
| Quarterfinalist | 25 |
15
|
| Round of 16 | 15 |
0
|
2006–2007
[edit]| Round | ATP Masters Series WTA Tour Tier I |
ATP International Series WTA Tour Tier II |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 100 |
50
|
| Finalist | 70 |
35
|
| Semifinalist | 45 |
22
|
| Quarterfinalist | 25 |
12
|
| Round of 16 | 15 |
0
|
2004–2005
[edit]| Round | ATP Masters Series WTA Tour Tier I |
WTA Tour Tier II | ATP International Series ($600,000 and above) |
ATP International Series (below $600,000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 100 |
50 |
40 |
35
|
| Finalist | 70 |
35 |
28 |
24
|
| Semifinalist | 45 |
22 |
18 |
15
|
| Quarterfinalist | 25 |
12 |
10 |
8
|
| Round of 16 | 15 |
0 |
0 |
0
|
Series standings + performance at the US Open
[edit]Note: From 2006 on, only players who earned points in at least two US Open Series events are eligible for the final (Top 3) standings.
| US Open results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| A | did not participate in the tournament | #R | lost in the early rounds of the tournament |
| QF | advanced to but not past the quarterfinals | SF | advanced to but not past the semifinals |
| F | advanced to the finals, tournament runner-up | W | won the tournament |
- 1 – Hewitt and Davenport finished first in 2004 final standings based on more match wins in US Open Series events.
- 2 – Nadal finished third in 2005 (over Roger Federer) based on more set wins in US Open Series events.
- 3 – Schnyder was placed third in 2007 because Justine Henin (who had more points – 100 for winning Toronto) only played one tournament and was therefore not eligible for the top three positions.
- 4 – Nadal won the 2008 series ahead of Murray because Nadal defeated Murray in Toronto, Canada.
- 5 – Pennetta finished second in the 2009 final standings based on more match wins in US Open Series events.
- 6 – Murray won the 2010 series ahead of Federer because Murray defeated Federer in Toronto.
- 7 – Kuznetsova finished third in 2010 (over Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova) based on more games won in US Open Series events (all three won 9 matches and 19 sets).
- 8 – Radwańska finished second in the 2011 final standings based on more match wins in US Open Series events.
- 9 – Players who had their point totals doubled due to having obtained points in at least three different events, based on a rule enforced from 2014 on.
- 10 – Dimitrov finished second in the 2016 final standings based on more match wins in US Open Series events.
Records
[edit]- Players who won both the US Open Series and the US Open in the same year, receiving $1 million bonus prize money
- Men: Roger Federer (2007) & Rafael Nadal (2013).
- Women: Kim Clijsters (2005*) & Serena Williams (2013, 2014).
- * - Clijsters received the Champion's prize money, $1.1M, plus a bonus equaling the prize money, $1.1M, for a total of $2.2M.
- Most points won
- Without doubling bonus for three countable tournaments (until 2013):
- Men: Mardy Fish, 230 points in 2011.
- Women: Kim Clijsters, 225 points in 2005.
- With doubling bonus for three countable tournaments (since 2014):
- Men: Milos Raonic, 280 points in 2014.
- Women: Serena Williams, 430 points in 2014.
- Most US Open Series overall victories
- Men: 2, Andy Roddick (2005, 2006); Rafael Nadal (2008, 2013); Andy Murray (2010, 2015).
- Women: 3, Serena Williams (2011, 2013, 2014).
- Most US Open Series Top-3 finishes
- Men: 5, Andy Murray (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2015) & John Isner (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015).
- Women: 4, Serena Williams (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015) & Agnieszka Radwańska (2011, 2013, 2014, 2016).
- Most US Open Series tournament victories
- Men: 9, Roger Federer
- Women: 7, Serena Williams
- Biggest payout in the series (which were the largest in tennis history until Ashleigh Barty won US$4.42 at the WTA Finals in 2019[22])
- Serena Williams (2014) – $4 million (won US Open Series and US Open).
- Biggest payout in men's: Novak Djokovic (2015) – $3.8 million (US Open Series runner-up and US Open winner).
- Most successful nation in the US Open Series
- Overall: United States, 38 tournament victories (Men: 24 & Women: 14).
- Men: United States, 24 tournament victories.
- Women: United States, 14 tournament victories.
References
[edit]- ^ Clarke, Liz (April 20, 2004). "USTA Moves to Promote Tennis; U.S. Open Series Aims To Please Players, Fans". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ^ "With Acapulco triumph Rafael Nadal has won at least 3 consecutive titles in 9 seasons, moving further ahead of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic". sportskeeda. February 28, 2022.
- ^ "5 Rafael Nadal records you probably don't know of". sportskeeda. September 22, 2018.
- ^ "US Open Series | US Open Series". Archived from the original on December 2, 2023.
- ^ "US Open website". Archived from the original on February 25, 2024.
- ^ Rothenberg, Ben. "Why DC's Citi Open separated from U.S. Open Series". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ "DC's Citi Open Bumped Out Of U.S. Open Series Due To TV Deal With Tennis Channel". Sports Business Daily. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ "Citi Open returns to US Open Series for 2019". US Open Series. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ^ "Press Release | Emirates Airline US Open Series". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
- ^ "Emirates takes name off Open Series". February 6, 2017.
- ^ "Bonus Challenge". US Open Series. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ^ Kreda, Allan (September 10, 2005). "Clijsters Wins U.S. Open; Federer, Agassi Make Final". Bloomberg. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ^ "Clijsters Wins Second Consecutive U.S. Open Title". Long Island Tennis Magazine. September 13, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ^ "Federer tames Djokovic to clinch US Open crown". ABC News. September 10, 2007. Archived from the original on September 11, 2007. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ^ "Bonus Challenge – Emirates Airline US Open Series". Emirates Airline US Open Series. Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- ^ "US Open 2013: Taxman cometh for champions". ZeeNews India. September 10, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
- ^ "Serena sweeps aside Wozniacki for third straight US Open". US Open Official Site - A USTA Event.
- ^ @usopen (July 18, 2017). "We will not have #USOpenSeries bonus money this year" (Tweet). Retrieved July 28, 2017 – via Twitter.
- ^ Tandon, Kamakshi (February 7, 2017). "Emirates drops US Open Series Sponsorship; adds US Open involvement". tennis.com.
- ^ "US Open Series - Bonus Challenge". US Tennis Association. Archived from the original on August 1, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ^ "2005 US Open Series Bonus Points System" (PDF). US Tennis Association. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ^ "'It's been a year that just hasn't stopped' - Barty dethrones Svitolina to capture WTA Finals crown".
External links
[edit]US Open Series
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The US Open Series is a professional tennis circuit comprising a series of hard-court tournaments held across North America in late summer, serving as the primary preparatory phase for the US Open, the final Grand Slam tournament of the year. Organized by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) in collaboration with the ATP and WTA tours, the series typically spans five to six weeks from late July to mid-August and features high-profile events that attract top-ranked players seeking to fine-tune their form on the surface used at the US Open in New York City.[1]
Introduced in 2004, the US Open Series was established by the USTA to consolidate the fragmented North American hard-court schedule into a unified "regular season" that bridges leading ATP and WTA events with the US Open, enhancing media coverage, fan engagement, and competitive continuity during the transition from European clay and grass seasons.[2] The series includes a Bonus Challenge system, where players accumulate points based on their results across the tournaments; the top performers who advance deep into the US Open can earn additional prize money—up to $1 million for singles champions—rewarding consistent excellence throughout the summer swing.[3]
In 2025, the series featured a streamlined lineup reflecting recent calendar adjustments on the ATP and WTA tours, with key events including the Mubadala Citi DC Open (ATP 500 and WTA 500) in Washington, D.C. (July 21–27), the National Bank Open (ATP Masters 1000 in Toronto July 27–August 7 and WTA 1000 in Montreal July 25–August 7), the Cincinnati Open (ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000, August 7–18), and the Winston-Salem Open (ATP 250, August 17–23).[4][5] In 2025, the National Bank Open and Cincinnati Open expanded to 12-day events. Additional WTA events like the Cleveland Open (WTA 250, August 17–23) contributed to the overall hard-court momentum, though the core series emphasized the major combined ATP-WTA stops to maximize player participation and broadcast exposure.[6] These tournaments not only offered substantial prize money—totaling millions across the events—but also provided critical ranking points and wild card opportunities for American players via the USTA's Wild Card Challenge, which awards main-draw entries to the US Open based on domestic hard-court results.[7]
The series has evolved amid global tour expansions, with some traditional stops like the Atlanta Open discontinued after 2024 due to licensing shifts and budget constraints, resulting in a more concentrated focus on elite Masters-level events.[6] Despite these changes, it remains a pivotal showcase for hard-court specialists, often producing surprise US Open contenders and highlighting rising stars, while boosting tennis's popularity in the United States through extensive television coverage on networks like ESPN.[2]
Andy Roddick stands out with three titles in the series' early years, winning Cincinnati in 2004, and Washington and Atlanta in 2006, highlighting his dominance on North American hard courts during that era. Taylor Fritz's 2022 Atlanta victory marked a breakthrough for the American, defeating compatriot Jenson Brooksby in straight sets to claim his first ATP 250 title. Across the series' history through 2025, more than 60 men's singles titles have been awarded, with Americans capturing approximately 40% of them, largely attributable to the home-court advantage in events like Washington and Atlanta. In the premier Masters 1000 events such as Cincinnati and the Canadian Open, top seeds have prevailed in over 70% of finals, underscoring the series' role in favoring elite players ahead of the US Open.[5]
(Note: The table represents core US Open Series events; additional tournaments like Stanford varied by year. Complete lists available on official WTA tournament pages. As of November 2025, all 2025 events are included where results are finalized.)[50]
Overview
Purpose and Structure
The US Open Series is a professional tennis circuit consisting of summer hard-court tournaments organized by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) in collaboration with the ATP Tour and WTA Tour, aimed at generating momentum and heightened interest in the lead-up to the US Open.[8] Launched in 2004 to address declining television viewership for the US Open and to revitalize domestic enthusiasm for the sport, the series seeks to consolidate fragmented North American events into a unified promotional package that emphasizes national branding while preserving local tournament identities.[9][8] By focusing on high-profile American players and venues, it aims to boost attendance, media coverage, and overall economic viability for professional tennis in the region. The series operates annually from July to August, covering a 4- to 6-week period immediately preceding the US Open and featuring 5 to 7 combined men's and women's events on hard courts across North American locations.[8] These tournaments award standard ATP and WTA ranking points, which contribute to players' overall standings and influence US Open seeding based on current rankings. A distinctive element was the "Bonus Challenge," a performance-based system that offered up to $2.6 million in additional prize money distributed at the US Open to the top three male and female performers in the series, scaled by their advancement in the Grand Slam event—for instance, doubling the champion's payout if they also won the series.[3][8] Key operational features include centralized television coverage primarily through ESPN, which handles broadcasts for most events to create a cohesive viewing experience and maximize exposure across platforms.[8] This consolidation, along with targeted marketing by the USTA, promotes the series as a narrative bridge to the US Open, encouraging stronger player participation and fostering rivalries that carry into the major.[10] The structure prioritizes accessibility for North American audiences, with events strategically scheduled to avoid conflicts and build progressive excitement toward Flushing Meadows.Discontinuation and Legacy
The official branding of the US Open Series concluded after its 2024 edition, with the dedicated USTA website redirecting to USOpen.org by 2024, signaling the end of the unified promotional platform as of 2025. No revival plans have been announced, and the Bonus Challenge system appears to have been discontinued.[6][11] (404 as of 2025) The changes stem from evolving global tennis economics, where financial focus shifted toward international markets and larger events, diminishing priority for some North American summer tournaments.[6] The ATP and WTA reduced emphasis through license downgrades and cancellations—such as the Atlanta Open ending after 2024 and the San Diego Open dropping from the WTA calendar in 2025 due to budget constraints—while integrating surviving tournaments like Washington D.C. and Winston-Salem into the standard tour structure as ATP 500 and 250-level competitions without the Series branding. In 2025, the hard-court swing continued in a streamlined form with events including the Mubadala Citi DC Open, National Bank Open, Cincinnati Open, Winston-Salem Open, and Cleveland Open, maintaining preparatory momentum for the US Open without official Series designation.[12][13][14] Despite the branding's end, the US Open Series left a lasting legacy by enhancing visibility of hard-court preparation leading to the US Open, notably popularizing the "Summer Slam" concept—referring to winning the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Masters, and US Open in succession—most prominently achieved by Rafael Nadal in 2013.[15] It also boosted opportunities for American players through increased wild cards and exposure in domestic events, a benefit that persists via the ongoing US Open Wild Card Challenge, which awards main-draw entries based on performances in summer hard-court tournaments.[7] During its tenure from 2004 to 2024, the Series contributed to elevated attendance and television ratings for participating events, such as record crowds at the JPMorgan Chase Open and RCA Championships in its early years, indirectly supporting higher overall interest and viewership for the US Open itself.[10] This influence endures in the modern ATP and WTA lead-up schedule, maintaining a concentrated North American hard-court block to build momentum toward Flushing Meadows.[6]History
Inception (2004–2005)
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) launched the US Open Series in 2004 as a coordinated effort to unify the fragmented North American hard-court season leading into the US Open, aiming to boost attendance, television ratings, and overall interest in American tennis during the summer months. Prior to this, summer tournaments operated independently with overlapping schedules and limited marketing synergy, resulting in diluted visibility and lower hype for the US Open. The series consolidated ten events, primarily ATP and WTA tournaments, into a branded "road to the US Open" narrative, promoting top players' performances across the circuit to build momentum toward the Grand Slam. This initiative was announced in April 2004, with USTA CEO Arlen Kantarian emphasizing the goal of re-energizing the sport by showcasing international and American stars to domestic audiences.[16][17][18][19] The inaugural 2004 season featured ten tournaments, including men's events in Los Angeles (Mercedes-Benz Cup, won by Tommy Haas), Indianapolis (RCA Championships, won by Andy Roddick), Toronto (Canada Masters), Cincinnati (Western & Southern Financial Group Championships), and Washington, D.C. (Legg Mason Tennis Classic), alongside women's events in Stanford (Bank of the West Classic) and San Diego (Acura Classic, won by Lindsay Davenport). These venues were selected for their established infrastructure and geographic spread across North America, allowing for a six-week buildup to the US Open. In 2005, the series expanded slightly with the inclusion of combined-gender events in Los Angeles (Mercedes-Benz Cup) and Cincinnati, enhancing cross-promotion between ATP and WTA tours while maintaining the core schedule to avoid conflicts with the Olympics' aftermath. Overall participation grew, with top-ranked players like Roddick and Davenport competing in multiple stops, though attendance varied due to the novelty of the format.[16][10][20] Early implementation faced logistical hurdles, including coordinating venue availability amid the 2004 Athens Olympics schedule, which overlapped with the series start and reduced some player commitments, and securing consistent television coverage across events. Player buy-in was initially mixed, as international stars prioritized European clay-court swings or Olympic preparation over the hard-court prep, leading to occasional weaker fields; however, American players like Roddick provided star power to draw crowds. To incentivize participation, the USTA introduced the Bonus Challenge in 2004, awarding up to $1.3 million in additional prize money at the US Open based on cumulative series performance, with the top three men's and women's finishers eligible for bonuses equal to 100%, 50%, and 25% of the US Open singles champion's purse, respectively. Lleyton Hewitt and Lindsay Davenport topped the 2004 standings, tying on points but decided by match wins, underscoring the system's emphasis on sustained excellence. By 2005, refinements like unified branding and marketing campaigns helped mitigate these issues, fostering greater engagement.[21][22][23]Evolution and Key Changes (2006–present)
Following its inception, the US Open Series experienced significant evolution from 2006 onward, marked by expansions, standardization of its competitive structure, external disruptions, and strategic adaptations to the professional tennis calendar. From 2008 to 2016, the series standardized the Bonus Challenge with a tiered points system that rewarded cumulative performance across events, culminating in additional prize money at the US Open based on series standings combined with Grand Slam results. A notable promotional highlight occurred in 2013 when Rafael Nadal completed the "Summer Slam" by winning the Rogers Cup in Canada, the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, and the US Open, earning a record $3.6 million bonus for dominating the series and the major. During this period, television coverage expanded substantially, with ESPN providing daily broadcasts of the seven hard-court events, enhancing visibility for North American tournaments. The years 2017 to 2019 saw efforts to address calendar overcrowding by focusing on a core slate of 500- and 1000-level events, such as the Citi Open and the Rogers Cup, to balance player participation and event quality without excessive expansion. This approach maintained the series as a five-week "regular season" leading to the US Open, with eight combined ATP and WTA tournaments. The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted the series in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, the first two events—the Infosys Hall of Fame Open in Newport and the Truist Atlanta Open—were canceled due to the global health crisis, as announced by the ATP and USTA, drastically reducing the schedule and shifting focus to the US Open itself. The 2021 edition rebounded with a condensed yet robust lineup, including new sponsorships and a return to eight events, marking the largest schedule since 2011 and incorporating innovations like consistent Laykold court surfaces across tournaments to unify the hard-court swing. In 2022 and 2023, the series underwent final expansions and streamlining. The addition of Tennis in the Land, a WTA 250 event in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2022 provided a dedicated women's stop immediately before the US Open, boosting gender balance in the schedule as one of only three standalone WTA events in the United States. The 2023 season featured a streamlined six-event format, with key stops including Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Toronto, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. Following broader ATP and WTA tour calendar reforms, the 2024 season saw the discontinuation of the Atlanta Open after its final edition, due to licensing shifts and budget constraints, resulting in a further concentrated schedule. In 2025, the series adopted a more streamlined lineup of four core ATP events—Mubadala Citi DC Open (July 21–27), National Bank Open (July 28–August 4), Cincinnati Open (August 11–18), and Winston-Salem Open (August 18–24)—alongside the WTA 250 Cleveland Open (August 18–24), emphasizing elite Masters-level stops to maximize participation and exposure. These adjustments aligned with the US Open's expansion to a 15-day main draw starting on August 24, 2025, enhancing the overall summer hard-court swing.[24][6][4][5][25]Tournaments
Core Events and Scheduling
The US Open Series consists of a select group of ATP and WTA professional tennis tournaments held annually in North America, designed to heighten interest in the lead-up to the US Open. The core events encompass a range of tournament categories, from ATP/WTA 250 and 500 levels to the premier ATP/WTA 1000 Masters 1000 events, with participation from top-ranked players on both tours. As of 2025, the streamlined lineup includes the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C. (combined ATP 500 and WTA 500 on hard courts, July 21–27), the National Bank Open alternating between Toronto and Montreal, Canada (combined ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 on hard courts, July 28–August 4), the Cincinnati Open in Cincinnati, Ohio (combined ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 on hard courts, August 11–18), the Winston-Salem Open in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (ATP 250 on hard courts, August 18–24), and the Cleveland Open in Cleveland, Ohio (WTA 250 on hard courts, August 18–24).[4][5][6] These tournaments are strategically scheduled over five weeks immediately following the Wimbledon Championships, commencing in late July and concluding in late August, to create a cohesive North American summer swing that directly precedes the US Open from late August to early September. This post-Wimbledon timing facilitates player acclimation to the hard-court conditions of the US Open, with all core events played on DecoTurf or similar hard surfaces for optimal preparation consistency. The series emphasizes North American venues to boost local attendance and media coverage. Over its history, the structure has evolved for efficiency, starting with up to seven events in its inaugural 2004 season—including the Mercedes-Benz Cup in Los Angeles and the RCA Championships in Indianapolis—before reducing and refining the lineup in later years, with recent changes discontinuing traditional stops like the Atlanta Open after 2024 due to licensing shifts and budget constraints.[6]Formats and Participation
The US Open Series tournaments are categorized primarily as ATP and WTA events at the 250, 500, and 1000 levels, with singles draws typically ranging from 28 to 56 players and doubles draws from 16 to 32 teams, depending on the event's scale and sanctioning.[26] For instance, ATP/WTA 250 events like the Winston-Salem Open feature a 28-player singles draw, while higher-tier 1000-level combined events such as the Cincinnati Open often utilize a 56-player singles draw to accommodate top competitors.[1] These draw sizes ensure a balance between competitive depth and logistical feasibility, allowing for qualifying rounds where necessary to fill the main draw.[26] Participation in the series is open to top-ranked professional players on the ATP and WTA Tours, with entry determined by current world rankings and tournament commitments.[1] The United States Tennis Association (USTA) prioritizes wild card entries for American players to bolster domestic representation, often awarding them based on recent performance in domestic or international events.[7] In combined events, such as those in Cincinnati or Toronto, players from both tours can compete in shared venues, facilitating cross-tour interactions in singles, doubles, or exhibition formats without restricting eligibility by gender or tour affiliation.[27] Entry into individual tournaments carries no obligation to the broader series, but players must actively participate to accumulate standings points.[28] All matches in the US Open Series follow the standard professional tour format of best-of-three sets for both singles and doubles, with tiebreakers at six games per set and a 10-point match tiebreaker in lieu of a third set in doubles if needed.[29] All events utilize outdoor hard courts for consistency with the US Open.[4] Eligibility for the series' Bonus Challenge, which offers additional prize money based on combined performance, requires players to compete in at least two US Open Series events to qualify for standings consideration.[28] Following 2019, the series saw adaptations toward more gender-specific scheduling to optimize the calendar and venue availability, including the introduction of the Cleveland Open as a women-only WTA 250 event in 2021.[30] This shift allowed for targeted opportunities in the lead-up to the US Open, complementing combined events while expanding the overall series footprint.[1]Champions
Men's Singles Winners
The men's singles events in the US Open Series have featured high-level competition on hard courts, serving as key preparation for the US Open and showcasing victories by both established stars and emerging talents. From the series' inception in 2004 through 2025, champions have included a mix of American players benefiting from home conditions and international top seeds, with the events evolving from four tournaments (including Indianapolis) to the core quartet of Atlanta, Washington, Cincinnati, and the Canadian Open.| Year | Tournament | Winner | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Indianapolis Tennis Championships | Nicolás Massú (CHI) | Paradorn Srichaphan (THA) | 6–2, 7–5 |
| 2004 | Canadian Open (Toronto) | Roger Federer (SUI) | Andy Roddick (USA) | 7–5, 6–3 |
| 2004 | Cincinnati Masters | Andy Roddick (USA) | Roger Federer (SUI) | 4–6, 7–5, 7–6(8–6) |
| 2005 | Indianapolis Tennis Championships | Taylor Dent (USA) | Gilles Müller (LUX) | 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2005 | Canadian Open (Montreal) | Rafael Nadal (ESP) | Andre Agassi (USA) | 6–3, 4–6, 6–2 |
| 2005 | Cincinnati Masters | Roger Federer (SUI) | Andy Roddick (USA) | 6–2, 7–6(6–2) |
| 2006 | Legg Mason Tennis Classic (Washington) | Andy Roddick (USA) | Juan Mónaco (ARG) | 6–4, 6–3 |
| 2006 | BB&T Atlanta Open | Vince Spadea (USA) | Óscar Hernández (ESP) | 3–6, 7–6(8–6), 7–6(7–5) |
| 2006 | Canadian Open (Toronto) | Roger Federer (SUI) | Richard Gasquet (FRA) | 2–6, 6–3, 6–2 |
| 2006 | Cincinnati Masters | Andy Roddick (USA) | Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) | 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2007 | BB&T Atlanta Open | John Isner (USA) | Kevin Kim (USA) | 6–0, 6–1 |
| 2007 | Legg Mason Tennis Classic (Washington) | John Isner (USA) | Gaël Monfils (FRA) | 4–6, 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2007 | Canadian Open (Montreal) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | Roger Federer (SUI) | 7–6(7–2), 2–6, 7–6(7–2) |
| 2007 | Cincinnati Masters | Roger Federer (SUI) | James Blake (USA) | 6–1, 6–4 |
| 2008 | BB&T Atlanta Open | John Isner (USA) | Gilles Müller (LUX) | 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2008 | Legg Mason Tennis Classic (Washington) | Juan Martín del Potro (ARG) | Marin Čilić (CRO) | 3–6, 7–5, 6–2 |
| 2008 | Canadian Open (Toronto) | Rafael Nadal (ESP) | Nicolas Kiefer (GER) | 6–3, 6–2 |
| 2008 | Cincinnati Masters | Andy Murray (GBR) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–5) |
| 2009 | Legg Mason Tennis Classic (Washington) | Andy Murray (GBR) | John Isner (USA) | 6–2, 6–3 |
| 2009 | Canadian Open (Montreal) | Andy Murray (GBR) | Juan Martín del Potro (ARG) | 6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–3), 6–1 |
| 2009 | Cincinnati Masters | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | Roger Federer (SUI) | 6–1, 7–5 |
| 2010 | BB&T Atlanta Open | Mardy Fish (USA) | Andy Roddick (USA) | 3–6, 7–6(8–6), 6–1 |
| 2010 | Legg Mason Tennis Classic (Washington) | Radek Štěpánek (CZE) | David Nalbandian (ARG) | 7–6(7–3), 6–2 |
| 2010 | Canadian Open (Toronto) | Andy Murray (GBR) | Roger Federer (SUI) | 7–5, 7–5 |
| 2010 | Cincinnati Masters | Roger Federer (SUI) | Mardy Fish (USA) | 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–1), 6–4 |
| 2011 | BB&T Atlanta Open | Mardy Fish (USA) | Gilles Simon (FRA) | 3–6, 6–1, 6–4 |
| 2011 | Winston-Salem Open | John Isner (USA) | Tobias Kamke (GER) | 6–3, 6–2 |
| 2011 | Canadian Open (Montreal) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | Milos Raonic (CAN) | 6–3, 3–6, 6–1 |
| 2011 | Cincinnati Masters | Andy Murray (GBR) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 6–4, 3–0 ret. |
| 2012 | BB&T Atlanta Open | Andy Roddick (USA) | John Isner (USA) | 7–6(7–2), 6–4 |
| 2012 | Winston-Salem Open | John Isner (USA) | Tomáš Berdych (CZE) | 7–5, 6–4 |
| 2012 | Canadian Open (Toronto) | Andy Murray (GBR) | Milos Raonic (CAN) | 6–3, 6–2 |
| 2012 | Cincinnati Masters | Roger Federer (SUI) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 6–3, 6–2 |
| 2013 | BB&T Atlanta Open | John Isner (USA) | Kevin Anderson (RSA) | 7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–2) |
| 2013 | Winston-Salem Open | Jiří Veselý (CZE) | Lukáš Rosol (CZE) | 7–6(7–3), 6–4 |
| 2013 | Canadian Open (Montreal) | Rafael Nadal (ESP) | Milos Raonic (CAN) | 6–2, 6–2 |
| 2013 | Cincinnati Masters | Rafael Nadal (ESP) | John Isner (USA) | 7–6(10–8), 7–6(7–3) |
| 2014 | BB&T Atlanta Open | John Isner (USA) | Milos Raonic (CAN) | 7–6(7–4), 6–2 |
| 2014 | Winston-Salem Open | Pablo Carreño Busta (ESP) | João Sousa (POR) | 6–3, 6–2 |
| 2014 | Canadian Open (Toronto) | Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) | Roger Federer (SUI) | 7–5, 7–6(7–3) |
| 2014 | Cincinnati Masters | Roger Federer (SUI) | David Ferrer (ESP) | 6–3, 6–2 |
| 2015 | BB&T Atlanta Open | John Isner (USA) | Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) | 6–3, 3–6, 6–1 |
| 2015 | Winston-Salem Open | Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) | Vasek Pospisil (CAN) | 3–6, 6–3, 6–3 |
| 2015 | Canadian Open (Montreal) | Andy Murray (GBR) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 6–4, 4–6, 6–3 |
| 2015 | Cincinnati Masters | Roger Federer (SUI) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2016 | BB&T Atlanta Open | Nick Kyrgios (AUS) | John Isner (USA) | 7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–4) |
| 2016 | Winston-Salem Open | Pablo Carreño Busta (ESP) | Fabio Fognini (ITA) | 6–2, 6–3 |
| 2016 | Canadian Open (Toronto) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | Kei Nishikori (JPN) | 6–3, 7–5 |
| 2016 | Cincinnati Masters | Marin Čilić (CRO) | Andy Murray (GBR) | 6–1, 6–4 |
| 2017 | BB&T Atlanta Open | John Isner (USA) | Ryan Harrison (USA) | 7–6(6), 7–6(5)[31] |
| 2017 | Winston-Salem Open | Lu Yen-hsun (TPE) | Damir Džumhur (BIH) | 6–3, 5–7, 6–1 |
| 2017 | Canadian Open (Montreal) | Alexander Zverev (GER) | Roger Federer (SUI) | 4–6, 7–6(7–5), 6–4 |
| 2017 | Cincinnati Masters | Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) | Nick Kyrgios (AUS) | 4–6, 7–6(7–5), 7–6(7–4) |
| 2018 | BB&T Atlanta Open | John Isner (USA) | Ryan Harrison (USA) | 5–7, 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2018 | Citi Open (Washington) | Alexander Zverev (GER) | Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) | 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2018 | Canadian Open (Toronto) | Rafael Nadal (ESP) | Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) | 6–2, 7–6(7–4) |
| 2018 | Cincinnati Masters | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | Roger Federer (SUI) | 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2019 | Truist Atlanta Open | Nick Kyrgios (AUS) | Andrey Rublev (RUS) | 6–3, 7–6(7–2) |
| 2019 | Citi Open (Washington) | Nick Kyrgios (AUS) | Andrey Rublev (RUS) | 7–6(7–3), 6–3 |
| 2019 | Canadian Open (Montreal) | Rafael Nadal (ESP) | Daniil Medvedev (RUS) | 6–3, 6–0 |
| 2019 | Cincinnati Masters | Daniil Medvedev (RUS) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 3–6, 6–3, 6–3 |
| 2020 | Not played (COVID-19) | - | - | - |
| 2021 | Not played (COVID-19) | - | - | - |
| 2022 | Truist Atlanta Open | Taylor Fritz (USA) | Jenson Brooksby (USA) | 6–4, 6–2 |
| 2022 | Citi Open (Washington) | Sebastian Korda (USA) | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) | 6–2, 1–6, 6–1 |
| 2022 | Canadian Open (Montreal) | Pablo Carreño Busta (ESP) | Hubert Hurkacz (POL) | 3–6, 6–3, 6–3 |
| 2022 | Cincinnati Masters | Borna Ćorić (CRO) | Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) | 7–6(7–0), 6–2 |
| 2023 | Truist Atlanta Open | Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) | Taylor Fritz (USA) | 6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–3), 6–3 |
| 2023 | Citi Open (Washington) | Dan Evans (GBR) | Sebastian Ofner (AUT) | 7–5, 7–6(7–1) |
| 2023 | Canadian Open (Toronto) | Jannik Sinner (ITA) | Alex de Minaur (AUS) | 6–4, 6–1 |
| 2023 | Cincinnati Masters | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) | 5–7, 7–6(9–7), 7–6(7–4) |
| 2024 | Truist Atlanta Open | Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) | Jordan Thompson (AUS) | 4–6, 7–6(7–2), 6–2[32] |
| 2024 | Mubadala Citi DC Open (Washington) | Sebastian Korda (USA) | Flavio Cobolli (ITA) | 4–6, 6–2, 6–0[33] |
| 2024 | National Bank Open (Montreal) | Alexei Popyrin (AUS) | Andrey Rublev (RUS) | 6–2, 6–4[34] |
| 2024 | Cincinnati Masters | Jannik Sinner (ITA) | Frances Tiafoe (USA) | 6–2, 6–4[35] |
| 2024 | Winston-Salem Open | Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) | Alex Michelsen (USA) | 6–4, 6–0[36] |
| 2025 | Mubadala Citi DC Open (Washington) | Alex de Minaur (AUS) | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) | 5–7, 6–1, 7–6(3)[37] |
| 2025 | National Bank Open (Toronto) | Ben Shelton (USA) | Karen Khachanov (RUS) | 6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–3), 6–4[38] |
| 2025 | Cincinnati Masters | Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) | Jannik Sinner (ITA) | 3–0 ret.[39] |
| 2025 | Winston-Salem Open | Márton Fucsovics (HUN) | Botic van de Zandschulp (NED) | 6–3, 7–6(3)[40] |
Women's Singles Winners
The US Open Series has featured numerous women's singles champions since its inception in 2004, with over 50 titles awarded across its various tournaments through 2025, reflecting a higher degree of international diversity compared to the men's side. Early years saw a strong American presence, with players like Lindsay Davenport and Serena Williams dominating, but post-2010 trends shifted toward global winners from Europe, Australia, and beyond, showcasing the series' role in elevating emerging talents on hard courts. Key achievements include Serena Williams' dominance from 2009 to 2013, during which she captured five titles, including consecutive wins in Toronto and Cincinnati, solidifying her status as a hard-court powerhouse. More recently, Coco Gauff's 2023 victory in Washington marked her as an emerging star, propelling her to the US Open title later that year. The following table lists women's singles champions by year and core tournament, including runner-up and final score where applicable. Due to varying event lineups (e.g., Los Angeles, San Diego, New Haven, Stanford in early years), it focuses on consistent series stops like Washington, National Bank Open, Cincinnati, and others; full historical details available on WTA sites.| Year | Tournament | Winner | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | JPMorgan Chase Open (Los Angeles) | Lindsay Davenport (USA) | Serena Williams (USA) | 6–1, 6–3 |
| 2004 | Rogers Cup (Toronto) | Justine Henin (BEL) | Lindsay Davenport (USA) | 6–1, 6–0 |
| 2004 | Pilot Pen Tennis (New Haven) | Elena Dementieva (RUS) | Lindsay Davenport (USA) | 7–5, 6–2 |
| 2004 | Western & Southern Open (Cincinnati) | Serena Williams (USA) | Amélie Mauresmo (FRA) | 6–7(2), 7–6(7), 6–2[41] |
| 2005 | Acura Classic (San Diego) | Ana Ivanovic (SRB) | Jelena Jankovic (SRB) | 6–2, 6–2 |
| ... | ... (abridged for core events; see WTA archives for full) | ... | ... | ... |
| 2023 | Citi Open (Washington) | Coco Gauff (USA) | Maria Sakkari (GRE) | 6–2, 6–4 |
| 2023 | National Bank Open (Montreal) | Jessica Pegula (USA) | Liudmila Samsonova (RUS) | 6–2, 6–1 |
| 2023 | Western & Southern Open (Cincinnati) | Coco Gauff (USA) | Karolina Muchova (CZE) | 6–3, 6–4[42] |
| 2023 | Tennis in the Land (Cleveland) | Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) | Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) | 4–6, 6–1, 7–6(9–7) |
| 2024 | Mubadala Citi DC Open (Washington) | Paula Badosa (ESP) | Maria Sakkari (GRE) | 6–5, 6–2[43] |
| 2024 | National Bank Open (Toronto) | Jessica Pegula (USA) | Amanda Anisimova (USA) | 6–3, 2–6, 6–1[44] |
| 2024 | Western & Southern Open (Cincinnati) | Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) | Jessica Pegula (USA) | 6–3, 7–5[45] |
| 2024 | Tennis in the Land (Cleveland) | McCartney Kessler (USA) | Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) | 6–2, 7–5[46] |
| 2025 | Mubadala Citi DC Open (Washington) | Leylah Fernandez (CAN) | Anna Kalinskaya (RUS) | 6–1, 6–2[47] |
| 2025 | National Bank Open (Montreal) | [To be updated; event occurred August 2025] | - | - |
| 2025 | Western & Southern Open (Cincinnati) | Iga Świątek (POL) | Jasmine Paolini (ITA) | 7–5, 6–4[48] |
| 2025 | Tennis in the Land (Cleveland) | Sorana Cîrstea (ROU) | Ann Li (USA) | 6–2, 6–4[49] |
Bonus Points System
Mechanics of the Challenge
The Bonus Challenge functioned as an incentive mechanism within the US Open Series, rewarding players for strong performances across the summer hard-court tournaments leading into the US Open. Players accumulated series points based on their results in designated events, such as ATP/WTA 500-level tournaments and Masters 1000 events. These points formed the basis for final standings, with the top three men's and women's finishers eligible for bonus prize money distributed at the US Open, scaling up to $1 million for the series champion who also claimed the US Open title—for instance, Rafael Nadal received this full bonus in 2013 after winning both the series and the tournament, totaling $3.6 million in earnings.[51][52] The eligibility criteria mandated participation in a minimum of two series events to qualify for the bonus standings, promoting consistency by requiring engagement across the schedule rather than reliance on a single tournament.[53] (Note: Confirmed for 2006 onward via historical reports) The system integrated with the US Open by tying series performance to prize money incentives. A notable example of the challenge's high-stakes nature was the "Summer Slam" achievement, where winning three consecutive major events—such as the Rogers Cup, Western & Southern Open, and US Open—maximized series points and bonuses, as Nadal did in 2013 with 200 series points from his two Masters 1000 titles alone.[51] Second-place finishers were eligible for up to $500,000, and third place up to $250,000, with these bonuses added to standard US Open prize money.Points Distribution Across Eras
The US Open Series Bonus Challenge began in 2004 with a simple flat bonus structure for prize money, designed to incentivize participation in the lead-up events. Winning a 250-level event awarded series points toward the standings, while higher-tier wins like a Masters 1000 event contributed more, with the top three finishers in the series standings receiving bonuses based on their US Open performance. This initial system aimed to bridge the series events with the Grand Slam, but it was limited in scope due to fewer events and a focus on basic participation bonuses.[22] In 2006–2007, the system was adjusted to accommodate an expanded calendar with more events, increasing the scale of series points to reflect the growing number of tournaments. A win at a 1000-level event awarded significant points, and the overall prize pool for the bonus challenge reached $4 million, with series points used to determine eligibility for money bonuses. This era marked a shift toward greater integration with ATP and WTA calendars, boosting attendance and player commitment.[54] From 2008 to 2016, the points distribution evolved to a tiered scaling model, where series points were calculated based on event levels. For instance, a Masters 1000 win yielded 100 series points. The bonus structure encouraged deeper runs across multiple events. Tables for each event level were published annually by the USTA to clarify allocation, promoting competitive balance.[55] The Bonus Challenge was discontinued after the 2016 edition and has not been part of the US Open Series since 2017.[53]Performance Impact
Series Standings Calculation
Prior to 2017, the US Open Series featured official standings compiled by aggregating points earned by players across all series events, with points weighted according to the level of the tournament. For example, events at the ATP Masters 1000 or WTA 1000 level awarded double the points of ATP 500 or WTA 500 level events, while ATP 250 or WTA 250 events awarded the base amount. This cumulative total formed the basis for the overall series rankings, emphasizing consistent performance. Tiebreakers resolved equalities using head-to-head results from series matches, followed by US Open performance if needed. Standings were updated weekly on the official website, with the final leaderboard locked before the US Open for bonus eligibility under the now-discontinued Bonus Challenge. The top performers received additional prize money added to their US Open earnings. However, following the discontinuation of the Bonus Challenge after 2016, official series-wide standings are no longer maintained. Today, player performance in these North American hard-court events contributes directly to ATP and WTA ranking points, which influence seeding and overall momentum heading into the US Open. Points reset annually and do not carry over. Adjustments for participation requirements were part of the historical system to encourage commitment to the schedule.Correlation with US Open Results
Performance in the US Open Series tournaments influences players' seeding at the US Open through the accumulation of ATP and WTA ranking points, which directly impact the rankings used for seeding the Grand Slam draw. While there is no automatic top seeding for strong series performers, consistent results often boost year-to-date rankings, providing a competitive edge by avoiding early matchups against top seeds. For instance, in 2013, Rafael Nadal's victories at the Rogers Cup and Western & Southern Open elevated his ranking to No. 2, earning him the No. 2 seed at the US Open, where he won the title.[56] Historical success rates for US Open champions show notable overlap with strong series performance, as the hard-court preparation and momentum often translate to the Grand Slam. From 2004 to 2016, several champions finished in the top three of the series standings, including Rafael Nadal's dominant 2013 sweep (Rogers Cup, Western & Southern Open, and US Open). Similar patterns emerged for women, with Serena Williams achieving the series-US Open double in 2013 and 2014. These examples illustrate how series success builds confidence and match fitness on similar surfaces.[52][57] Statistical trends highlight benefits of strong series performance, particularly in match wins at the US Open. The bonus challenge system (2004–2016) added up to $1 million in extra prize money for top finishers advancing deep, potentially 20-30% of total earnings. For example, Roger Federer in 2007 earned a record $2.4 million by winning the series and US Open. Series leaders reached the US Open final in at least 10 instances between 2004 and 2016. Since the 2017 discontinuation due to calendar changes, the direct financial link has ended, but the preparatory value persists through ranking gains and surface acclimation. In recent years, such as 2024, American players like Coco Gauff benefited from strong showings in the series events to secure high seeds and deep US Open runs.[53]| Year | Top Men's Series Finisher | US Open Result | Top Women's Series Finisher | US Open Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Roger Federer | Champion | Maria Sharapova | Fourth Round |
| 2013 | Rafael Nadal | Champion | Serena Williams | Champion |
| 2014 | Novak Djokovic | Semifinalist | Serena Williams | Champion |
| 2015 | Andy Murray | Finalist | Karolina Pliskova | Quarterfinalist |