The US Open took place by the first time in Newport in August, 1881. It was played every year until 1918. Until 1970, only clubs which were members of the National Association of Tennis of the United States were allowed to take part on the tournament.

The women's singles category was played by the first time in 1887 in Philadelphia and it was not until 1919 when the men's and women's championships were played simultaneously in the Forest Hill West Side Tennis Club of New York.

the tournament was played in grass court until 1974, and in hard court from 1975 to 1977.

The US Open was the first one of the Grand Slam Championships which included the tie-break.

In 1978, the tournament moved to Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York.

The US Open takes place in the largest central court of the world: the Arthur Ashe Stadium was inaugurated in 1997 and it has a capacity of 23,000 people.