FLUSHING, NY (CelebrityAccess) — The brand new Louis Armstrong Stadium was unveiled as it hosted the US Open on Monday, marking the debut of the world’s first dedicated tennis facility with a retractable roof.
The $200m stadium seats 14,000 and features a design that that encourages air flow through the stadium while protecting the court from inclement weather.
The new stadium was the last piece of a decade-long partnership between the United States Tennis Association and architectural firm Rossetti over the $600 million renovation of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing.
However, the debut of the stadium was not without issues. As the first day of the US open unfolded at the venue, fans took to social media to complain about the view of the court afforded to broadcast cameras.
Are they serious with this camera angle in Armstrong??😏 #Couldyougetanyfurtheraway pic.twitter.com/Od9LLcVzzb
— Mike (@mrenzaero) August 27, 2018
According to the Wall Street Journal, television cameras are located behind the court’s baseline, with one camera over a wall behind the players and the second, primary camera located in the second tier of seating.
The high angle of the primary camera makes it difficult for viewers to gauge the height of shots. As well, the lower camera was able to provide an up-close view of the action but provided too limited a view of the court, the Journal reported.
The camera issues are compounded as most of the matches for this year’s US Open will take place at the new Armstrong instead of the facility’s premier venue, Arthur Ashe Stadium.
