What was the reaction when USO switched surface?

[beltsman]

For those that followed tennis talk at the time, what was the general reaction to the USO surface change? I am particularly interested in the reaction of Sampras/Federer and other fast-court proponents. It seems like a big change!

Also, why did USO switch? Mainly for TV visibility? I wonder how exactly the surface was chosen and what the deliberative process was.

 

[ballmachineguy]

Great! Now I can catch a Mets game and a tennis match without additional transportation.

 

[Patriots]

For those that followed tennis talk at the time, what was the general reaction to the USO surface change? I am particularly interested in the reaction of Sampras/Federer and other fast-court proponents. It seems like a big change!

Also, why did USO switch? Mainly for TV visibility? I wonder how exactly the surface was chosen and what the deliberative process was.

Obviously some too young to remember that the big surface change was in the previous venue, Forest Hills back in the 70's. In 1975 it switched from grass court to hard tru "American" clay for 3 years until they moved to Flushing Meadow and to a hard court surface. Any changes to the hard court surface since then pale in comparison to that earlier and temporary change.