The US Open 2008 (tennis)

The US Open is one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world, and has its roots in a Rhodes Island tennis tournament first contested in 1881 by the male members of several exclusive American tennis clubs. In 1887 a Parallel women's tournament was started in Philadelphia.

In 1968 the various championships were united into the US Open, with professionals allowed to participate for the first time. The tournament was initially hosted on lawn courts at Forest Hill tennis center, before moving onto clay in 1973. The transition from clay to hard courts took place in 1978 when the US Open relocated to Flushing Meadows.

The 2009 US Open will crown a season of exciting grand slam tennis that has already produced several epic matches, and the coming-of-age of a new generation of tennis superstars. Players to watch the at the 2009 US Open include:

Rafael Nadal: The 22 year old Spaniard has emerged as the strongest player in the world in 2009, ending Roger Federer's long reign at the top of the ATP world rankings. To further his claim to greatness Nadal will have to take his first grand slam title on hard courts.

Venus Williams: Venus Williams proved that her glittering career is far from over when she defeated her younger sister in the Wimbledon final in 2009. With Maria Sharapova out of the tournament, Williams has an excellent chance to claim her 3rd US Open title.

Top Players To Watch:

Rafael Nadal
Roger Federer
Novak Djokovic
Andy Murray
Andy Roddick
Venus Williams
Serena Williams
Ana Ivanovic
Jelena Jankovic
Dinara Safina

US Open betting is one of the year's final opportunities to capitalise on a full spectrum of exciting tennis betting markets. With hundreds of matches, tennis fans will be able to back all of their favourite players and add to the excitement of the year's final grand slam.

Betting on the outright winner of the US Open is one of many exciting betting options available during the tournament. Available throughout the year, outright winner US Open betting markets offer some of the best odds available at the event.

Roger Federer holds the record for most consecutive men's singles titles at the US Open, winning the event five times between 2004 and 2008.

The fastest serve ever hit at the US Open was clocked at 133mph and was struck by America's Taylor Dent in 2004.

The DecoTurf hard courts used at the US Open are the fastest courts used in any of the grand slams, and favour serve-and-volley games.

Read more US Open Trivia here!