They came. They saw. They conquered. And as they did, the heroes of the 2021 US Open moved us in myriad ways. One year after the tournament was held behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, the US Open made its triumphant return to the sporting scene, bringing spectators at full capacity and creating countless iconic moments that will forever be embedded in the fabric of US Open lore.
Let’s take a look back at some of the top emotions we experienced during the fortnight…
Raducanu Wins the Title
The 2021 US Open women’s singles final represented the culmination of one of the most memorable fortnights of women’s tennis in recent memoryーmaybe in history. And when all was said and done, it was Emma Raducanuーfrom virtually out of nowhere, with a ranking of 150 and playing in just her second Grand Slam main drawーwho brought it home.
Throughout the fortnight, Raducanu endeared herself to the New York faithful as she went on an improbable run for the ages. There was a fairy tale air to her stunning success. She was gracious, she was intelligent; thoughtful and keen to soak up and appreciate the moment with just the right mix of reverence and rebelliousness. In the end, Raducanu made legions of tennis fans stop and appreciate more than just her tennis. They revelled in the genuine joy that she exuded in her moment of triumph, as she lay on her back, hands covering her eyes as the Arthur Ashe Stadium cacophony washed over her in waves. And they were in awe of her composure and ability to beat back the pressure as she powered her way to an iconic NY moment that will be forever cherished.
Medvedev Triumphs and Djokovic’s Soul is 'Touched'
A stunning coming of age that has been three years in the making occurred in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday, as Russia’s Daniil Medvedev capped off the tournament by winning his first Grand Slam title two years after he had won over New York with his grit and swagger during his run to the 2019 final, which ended in a five-set loss to Rafael Nadal.
It feels like we are just at the start of an enduring relationship between Medvedev and the US Open. New York loves a winner, and Medvedev is proving to be just thatーhas now won 18 of his last 20 matches at the Open.
Sunday’s feel-good Medvedev moment was colored nicely by the warm reception the crowd gave to Novak Djokovic. Though the Serb fell at the last hurdle in his Grand Slam quest, he was warmly applauded for his efforts, and the three-time champion, moved to tears, told the crowd that he had never felt so good in New York.
“Tonight even though I have not won the match my heart is filled with joy because you made me feel very special,” Djokovic said as the crowd erupted. “You guys touched my soulーI’ve never felt like this in New York.”
Fernandez Takes US Open on Wild Ride
She didn’t get the title, but boy did 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez win hearts and minds at this year’s US Open. The Canadian left her heart and soul on the court, and threw her iconic fist in the air with verve as she reeled off improbable victories over top-notch talents, one after the other to reach the final. Forged from grit, fire, determination, self-belief, Fernandez was a magnetic attraction for her rapidly growing fanbaseーas she caught fire, we got inspired.
And the super southpaw saved her most special moment for last. Even heartbroken in defeat after losing in the final, Fernandez made a stirring tribute to the city of New York on 9/11 that will never be forgotten.
Carlos Alcaraz Steps up on Big Stage
Setting the tone for teenagers on week one was a player with a streamlined game and a lust for battle the likes of which we have not seen from a teenager at the US Open in many years. Carlos Alcaraz didn’t come to New York to dip his toes into the shallow water, he came for a deep dive. Total immersion, self-believe an uncompromised lust for battle. It showed in the third round when the Spaniard toppled No.3-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas in a hotly contested battle in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The kid whipped the crowd into a frenzy, and they backed him with fervor in the Round of 16 as he defeated Peter Gojowczyk to become the youngest men’s singles quarterfinalist in US Open history.
Rogers Takes out Top Seed on Ashe
In 2020, American Shelby Rogers pulled off one of the most magical upsets of the tournament when she saved four match points to stun No.6-seeded Petra Kvitova to reach her first US Open quarterfinal. The only problem? Rogers’ victory happened behind closed doors, with no fans in attendance due to coronavirus protocols.
This year, Rogers made sure to create some more magic with fans in attendance. She produced a comeback for the ages against top-seeded Ashleigh Barty on Ashe, winning for the first time against a reigning world No.1, as she rallied from a double-break down in set three to secure a dramatic victory.
“I would say they're probably the reason I won tonight, to be honest,” Rogers later said of the crowds. “I mean, my tactics, sure, were great, but they gave me something that I wouldn't have probably been able to bring out of myself. So I'm super thankful for that.”
Sakkari and Andreescu's After-Hour Party
Bianca Andreescu had never lost a main draw match at the US Open (10-0 at this point of the tournament), and the Canadian, suddenly rounding into form and emerging as a title contender in the Round of 16, would not go down without a fight. But Maria Sakkari, also with designs on the title, had other ideas. The pair played an epic battle that lasted three hours and 30 minutes of pure, adrenaline-fueled tennis, and ended as the latest ever finish by a women’s singles match at the Open, at 2:13 in the morning.
The crowds on Ashe had whittled some by that point in the evening, but the die-hards that crowded into the lower bowl got to witness the perfect example of how much blood, sweat and tears are necessary to make a deep run in New York.
Sakkari emerged victorious, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, and parlayed the win into a semifinal run, as she became the first Greek woman to ever reach that far at the US Open.
Diede de Groot, the Golden Goddess, Dylan Alcott the Golden God
On Sunday in Louis Armstrong stadium, long before the men’s final would take place, it would be Dutchwoman Diede De GrootーDiede the deity?ーwho became the first tennis player to capture the Golden Slam since Steffi Graf in 1988. The enormity of the task is difficult to comprehend, especially when we consider that the Paralympics wrapped up just four days before the US Open commenced.
“There's definitely a lot of joy,” de Groot said after the final. “I think after the match there was also a lot of relief. Maybe that came first and then came the joy.”
Not long after, it was Dylan Alcott's time to take center stage. Alcott claimed the title in wheelchair quad singles, defeating Niels Vink of the Netherlands, 7-5, 6-2.
Two Golden Slams captured in one day in New Yorkーa truly historic day for wheelchair tennis.
Crowds Return to New York
It took just one season without fans to make us appreciate all that the fans in New York bring to the US Open. We saw it the moment they came through the gates on Day 1, until last ball in Sunday’s historical final. The fans at the US Open bring a pulsating energy that helps the players look inward, as they try to match the energy that swirls around them. Every Grand Slam has its own special character, and this year in New York, it was beautifully apparent just how crucial the fans are to the identity of the event.
Now that the last ball has been struck, and the last trophy raised, it’s time for a standing ovation for the ones who stood and cheered. Thanks to the fans, the unsung heroes of the 2021 US Open.
