Court 17’s story began when USTA planners fused two outer courts into a single, larger stadium at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. But when excavation crews hit a high water table and concrete rubble from previous World’s Fairs, the design needed a rethink.

Embracing the challenge, the design team sank the court about eight feet below grade, creating a subterranean stadium. That depth, along with the steep, close-up seating, would soon define the court.

Before long, fans had nicknamed it “the Pit.”

The site wasn’t the only constraint. To meet an aggressive construction schedule, the design team also specified the SPS Stadia+Arena System for the tiered decking under 2,200 of the 2,500 spectator seats. In total, Court 17 uses 14,100 ft² [1,310 m²] of SPS.

Those unexpected soil conditions gave the USTA grounds their most electric, unpretentious place to watch tennis.

Now, maintenance of the SPS stadia decking will keep the Pit supporting fans through many more tournaments to come.

By conservative estimates, Court 17 has drawn well over a million boisterous fans since its construction. Between those crowds and New York’s harsh winters and brutal summers, the SPS stadia decking was due for a refresh.

Fortunately, longevity is what truly sets the SPS Stadia+Arenas System apart: with proper maintenance, skilled crews can restore it to near-new condition even after years of heavy use. That same durability is why the USTA chose SPS again for the Grandstand Stadium.

Ahead of the 2026 US Open, the USTA contracted the SPS Technology team to:

• Install new caulked joints​
• Repair caulking and rusting on aisle steps
• Replace nosings and cover plates throughout
• Repaint all topside SPS surfaces, with non-slip grit included

Check out some photographs of the successful refurbishment below.

Or reach out to our team if you’d like to find out more about maintenance for your SPS venue!