AO vs UO

[Atennisone]

We currently have 2 Hard-Court Slams, and I wanted to start again the debate of which is the best one.
At the moment I'm very angry at AO for introducing that dumb tiebreak at 5th set, but.

Anyway I prefer AO, as they have given us better matches imo, and the court is much nicere to look at than UO, the speed seems to best best hard-court speed, although I'm not really sure if it's faster or slower than UO. AO also starts the season, while UO kind of ends it.

 

[Moses85]

The one were Serena doesn't lose her mind.

 

[Raining hopes]

This question is purely subjective.But I feel while AO used to be inferior now it's equal to if not better than USO, because for whatever reason it feels like it has more presence in media during the event, USO has declined.


For me AO is better now. Better storylines and matches.

 

[Plamen1234]

AO right now.US Open have slowed down the speed of the courts to criminal level.If they continue like that in few years there wont be difference between clay tournaments and US Open in terms of court speed.

 

[Standaa]

Remember when AO was be the slow HC slam and USO was rivaling lightning fast Wimbledon courts in speed?

 

[Atennisone]

This question is purely subjective.


For me AO is better now. Better storylines and matches.

My opinion is, but the question itself is AO vs UO

 

[MasterZeb]

Even court speed aside, it’s in my opinion the best run slam. The social media, the fan experience, the modern feel, roofs etc. I can let them off with the super tie breaker mishap. Another factor is also that AO is the first slam after the off season and the excitement is there. Whereas USO is the last slam after a long season Think a closer question would be FO vs USO

 

[van_Loederen]

Even court speed aside, it’s in my opinion the best run slam. The social media, the fan experience, the modern feel, roofs etc.

well, but the USO are not bad in these departments either. it's not so relevant overall, i'd say.

Another factor is also that AO is the first slam after the off season and the excitement is there. Whereas USO is the last slam after a long season

during the 90s it felt as if the AO came somewhat "too early", for everyone, players, fans, and commentators alike.
at the same time their prestige just wasn't as high yet (they were not even considered a real Slam before the 90s). most people focused more on the USO as if it was just more valuable.

the USO are normally also more like a season final/showdown where almost all players are in great shape.
that has changed mostly only due to the advanced age of the strong Nadal and Feder generations.
but actually it's still the case that more players are chronically bad at the AO, like f.i. Potro.

 

[ollinger]

USO for sure, those stuffed koalas they sometimes give competitors at the AO literally render the event bush league, and I'm not aware of any signature snack at the AO that rivals the seasoned waffle fries at the USO. Players come to the AO out of shape with it beginning so soon after the off-season and holiday period (only two weeks after New Year's parties this year). And then there's that Margaret Court Arena!

 

[OldschoolKIaus]

AO!

UO has crappy slow hardcourt and weird fans.

 

[BeatlesFan]

The USO was the second most prestigious slam for years but in the past decade has slipped markedly. The slowing down of the courts was a final death knell.

The AO marketed itself cleverly as the “happy slam” and the players love it. The AO used to be regarded as a nothing slam until Lendl prioritized it in 1982-83, and then the other players jumped on board.

 

[MasterZeb]

well, but the USO are not bad in these departments either. it's not so relevant overall, i'd say.

during the 90s it felt as if the AO came somewhat "too early", for everyone, players, fans, and commentators alike.
at the same time their prestige just wasn't as high yet (they were not even considered a real Slam before the 90s). most people focused more on the USO as if it was just more valuable.

the USO are normally also more like a season final/showdown where almost all players are in great shape.
that has changed mostly only due to the advanced age of the strong Nadal and Feder generations.
but actually it's still the case that more players are chronically bad at the AO, like f.i. Potro.

Interesting that. I didn’t watch tennis back when this was the case but Australia has always been the better of the two since I did starting watching the professional game extensively. Only really watched Wimbledon before it. But I definitely agree that US Open has decreased in its prestige as players are starting to get older and cannot play consistently to a high level towards the end of the season.

 

[mike danny]

AO. Better surface. USO is embarrassingly slow.

We haven't had a great USO in quite a while.

This year's USO had his god moments mostly because of Rafa's matches.

 

[justasport]

The AO is now the 2nd most prestigious major out of the 4 behind W, which will always be the Holy Grail of our sport.

 

[BGod]

It's absolutely AO. Players are fresh and this has resulted in better matches.

Fact the USO hasn't seen a repeat champion in over a DECADE speaks for itself.

 

[TennisCJC]

I am American and been to the USO 3 times, but I think it is about a draw now. AO has come on strong in last few years and I like the faster courts at AO. It can be scorching hot at AO from what I have seen on TV and that would be miserable for fans. USO is hot but normally not super hot like last year.

If you are thinking of making the trip from US to Aus, then allow time to recoup from jet lag. From east coast of US, it takes a day or 2 to get somewhat acclimated.

 

[AceSalvo]

The conditions currently at USO makes AO heat wave a joke.

AO +1.

 

[Hmgraphite1]

Since I don't have to wait as long AO

 

[CHillTennis]

The US Open is more prestigious but the Australian Open has seriously picked up it's game in the last decade.

It's starting to get close between them.

Also, there's always been something special about waking up at three o'clock in the morning to watch Federer and Nadal battle for a grand slam that's half way around the world.

 

[Four-ever]

I like the AO better because it's the first slam of the year and the courts look more aesthetically pleasing.

Have you noticed:

• AO courts = all blue
• RG courts = all red
• WIM courts = all green
• USO courts = blue and green

 

[van_Loederen]

The AO is now the 2nd most prestigious major out of the 4 behind W

lol, no way. it's still last. it has almost fully approached the others though.
since Wimbly has lost some prestige, the differences between the Slams are very small now.

btw, RG is just underrated on here because of... um, the unfortunate distribution of fanbases here, but it has probably slightly surpassed the USO in prestige.
during the 90s, RG was too much a tourney for the clay specialists. that has changed with modern rackets and RAFA.
RG is also the only clay Slam, while there are two hardcourt Slams and most of the ATP tour is played on hardcourt.