Fiend at Court Unplugged
Throughout the years, the US Open has been played on grass, clay, and hardcourt surfaces. Only one player has won the title on all three. It is a record that will never be tied or beaten. It is doubtful that the US Open will ever be contested in the future on any surface other than hardcourt. Even if the USTA decided to make a change, it is doubtful that they would do it twice and on short order.
To answer the question, it is useful to know what surface was used at the tournament each year. The United States National Championships became the US Open in 1968 at the start of the Open Era. The tournament was contested on a grass surface from 1881 until 1974. In 1975, the surface was switched to clay for three years. Ever since 1978, the tournament has been played on a hardcourt surface. It is doubtful that the surface will ever change again.
This means that the answer to the trivia question is someone who was fairly dominant during the 1970’s
Given all the Billie Jean King talk, it might be tempting to assume that it was “Madame Superstar” herself, but that is not the correct answer. Billie Jean King’s last US Open Singles title came in 1974. Coincidentally, that is the last year the tournament was played on grass.
Hint: The correct answer is a man.
Jimmy Connors won his first US Open title in 1974 getting him the title on grass. During the clay court era of the tournament he won the championship once, in 1976. Connors became the answer to this trivia question by winning the title on hardcourt in 1978. He also won the tournament two additional times in 1982 and 1983. That gives him five total US Open titles.
It is a feat that will never be duplicated.
