“Hm, I didn’t know Louis Armstrong played tennis!” Some might ask. Today, we unravel how a tennis stadium in Queens got its name from a jazz legend. This is the Louis Armstrong Stadium. It stands as a vibrant part of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. But why is it named after a musician?
Let’s rewind to the 1964 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The Singer Sewing Machine Company constructed the Singer Bowl for the fair. It showcased fabrics and hosted concerts. Louis Armstrong himself graced its stage. June 30, 1964, was declared “Louis Armstrong Day”.
After the fair, the New York Department of Parks and Recreation took over. The venue hosted iconic bands like The Who and Jimi Hendrix. But structural issues led to renovations in 1971. Sadly, that same year, Louis Armstrong passed away.
His widow, Lucille, championed his legacy. In 1972, the City Council renamed the Singer Bowl “Louis Satchmo Armstrong Park and Stadium”. A dedication concert was held on July 4, 1973. Ella Fitzgerald and other stars performed. Lucille expressed how much the honor would have meant to Louis.
However, joy turned to concern. In 1974, the stadium faced closure due to structural deficiencies. Newspapers ran headlines like “City to Close Armstrong Bowl”. But help came from an unexpected source: W.E. “Slew” Hester, president of the United States Tennis Association.
Flying over Queens in 1976, Hester saw the rundown stadium. He envisioned it as the U.S. Open’s new home. The USTA refurbished the stadium. It transformed Flushing Meadows Park into the U.S. National Tennis Center.
The revamped stadium opened in time for the 1978 U.S. Open. Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert won the singles titles there. Hester honored Armstrong by keeping his name on the stadium. He invited Lucille to the groundbreaking ceremony.
The Louis Armstrong Stadium became a defining place for tennis. It held nearly 40 years, from 1978 to 2016, U.S. Open tennis matches. It was the primary venue. That was before Arthur Ashe Stadium was built in 1997.
The original stadium was demolished and rebuilt in 2016. A new Grandstand opened in 2017. The Louis Armstrong Stadium was rebuilt from the ground up. It now boasts increased seating and a retractable roof.
Today, the Louis Armstrong Stadium stands seven blocks from the Armstrong’s former home. That home is now the Louis Armstrong House Museum. So, while Louis Armstrong may not have played tennis, his name lives on. It echoes through every match played here. It celebrates his enduring legacy in Queens.