New York, New York, as legendary crooner Frank Sinatra once remarked, is so good they named it twice. Then again, he also said Chicago was his kind of town, so perhaps we shouldn't take what he says as gospel.

Regardless, for better or for worse, New York is host city for the US Open, which is played at the exotically-named Flushing Meadows.

If Wimbledon is widely regarded as genteel and the French Open the epitome of all things classy, then the US Open is the brash sibling entertaining, yes, but also noisy and invariably eye-catching.

It may be strawberries in SW19 and champagne in Paris, but in New York it is a Big Mac and fries with a Coke to go - and make it snappy.

Unsurprisingly, John McEnroe, who was anything but a shrinking violet, absolutely loved playing the US Open and the fans loved him because he epitomised the tournament itself with his inspiring play and outspoken nature.

The US Open does, however, have a long and rich heritage, as it is the oldest Grand Slam tournament, having first been contested back in 1881.

Played on hard courts, the tournament has been played at Flushing Meadows since 1978 and is the only one of the four Grand Slams where a tie-break is employed if a match goes to a final set.

Britain's Andy Murray reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open in 2008 but was beaten by Roger Federer.