Final answer:
The US Open Championships' history is linked to the rise of professional sports in America during the 1920s, highlighted by athletes like Babe Ruth in baseball and Helen Wills in tennis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The roots of today's US Open Championships can be traced back to two separate events, significantly shaped by historical figures in sports such as Babe Ruth and Helen Wills. Babe Ruth led the New York Yankees to four World Series championships, contributing to the transformation of American sports during the 1920s, a time when professional sports began to flourish. Meanwhile, Helen Wills dominated tennis, winning a total of thirty-one Grand Slam titles, including eight singles titles at Wimbledon between 1927 and 1938. Her achievements contributed to the prestige and popularity of tournaments that eventually evolved into the Grand Slam events, including the US Open.