<P> The court surface changed twice, from grass (1881--1974), to Har - Tru clay (1975--1977), to DecoTurf hard courts, since 1978 . The only man to win on all three surfaces, which are grass, Har - Tru clay, and DecoTurf hard was Jimmy Connors . </P> <P> The champion receives a full - size replica of the event's trophy engraved with his name . In 2010, the winner received prize money of US $1,700,000 . A bonus pool of $1,000,000 is also to US Open champions who have clinched the first place of the US Open Series . </P> <P> In the U.S. National Championships, Richard Sears (1881--1887), William Larned (1901--1902, 1907--1911) and Bill Tilden (1920--1925, 1929) hold the record for most titles in the men's singles, with seven victories each . Four of Sears' wins and all of Larned's, came within the challenge round format, and they won respectively only thrice and twice after going through a complete draw . Sears also holds the all - time record for most consecutive titles, with seven from (1881 to 1887); the first win came when the event was closed to foreign participants . Without the challenge round, the record stands at six, and is held by Tilden (1920--1925). </P> <P> During the US Open, since the inclusion of the professional tennis players, Jimmy Connors (1974, 1976, 1978, 1982--1983), Pete Sampras (1990, 1993, 1995--1996, 2002), and Roger Federer (2004--2008) have won the most championships, with five titles . Federer has had the most consecutive wins, with five (2004--2008). </P>

Who has the most us open tennis titles