Cannes Lions

50 Years of Match Point

mcgarrybowen, Chicago / UNITED STATES TENNIS ASSOCIATION / 2019

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Overview

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Credits

Overview

Background

The 2018 US Open was more than another year of great tennis, this would be a culmination of 50 years of competition. Our challenge was to find a way to honor the achievements of the past in a way that would feel modern and help look forward to the next 50 years.

So, we built a campaign to celebrate all the elements of what’s lead to the glory of the US Open’s 50th anniversary- from the fans, to the world-class improvements of the stadiums and grounds. But most importantly, the champions, the men and women who made history with their championship points.

Idea

Every champion since 1968, from Arthur Ashe to Serena Williams, helped the US Open become the most thrilling Grand Slam in the world. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, we decided to bring to life every championship point in US Open history, all 100 of them, in a limited edition set of posters.

Execution

With simple lines, a minimalist approach and the tennis court as our canvas, we designed 100 unique posters that recreated every single championship point rally since 1968.

Using archival footage, every rally was carefully traced to show the exact position of the ball and its trajectory through the court.

As every US Open is unique, we decide to give each year it’s unique, vibrant color. For the 50th anniversary edition, Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka’s championship posters were made in black and gold.

We printed 1,000 posters on fine-art paper quality to be displayed in and around the US Open grounds and to be given out to fans.

Outcome

Fans on the ground were ecstatic when receiving these posters at the US Open, showing them off to their friends and taking pics with them. Proving they were a true momento of this historical 50th anniversary at the US open.

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2021, UNITED STATES TENNIS ASSOCIATION

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