When Arthur Ashe Stadium opened its gates in 1997, it simultaneously opened a new era for the US Open. The arena, named for one of tennis’ all-time champions and grandest ambassadors, quickly established itself as the game’s greatest stage; a spectacular centerpiece for an event whose global appeal had spurred its remarkable growth. With its 23,000-plus seats, Arthur Ashe Stadium allowed more fans the chance to witness first-hand the tournament’s singular sizzle, while simultaneously affording the game’s greatest talents a fitting floorboard upon which to showcase their incredible talents. Like its host city, Arthur Ashe Stadium is unapologetically large and loud; the electricity generated within its high walls creating a wave of energy that has come to define the US Open as an event unlike any other. It is as iconic as the man for whom it is named.
In the 25 years since Arthur Ashe Stadium opened, this grand arena has hosted countless memorable moments—many of them integral pieces in constructing the US Open’s global reputation as one of the world’s most spectacular sporting events. So many great matches; so much incomparable drama; so much unforgettable magic.
Throughout the summer leading up to the 2022 US Open, USOpen.org will recount 25 of the most memorable moments from these 25 years of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Some obvious; others, less so; every one of them helped establish this unequaled arena as our game’s greatest stage.
In the series' second installment, we look at one of the most defining matches in US Open history: the tournament's first-ever women's singles primetime final between Venus and Serena Williams in 2001.
Only the breeze wrinkled what was an otherwise ideal evening in Queens on Saturday, September 8th, 2001. Winds whipped the American flag, but didn’t seem to bother the US Open women’s finalists—Venus and Serena Williams—on court for the first-ever primetime women’s final. And certainly nothing could distract the 23,000-odd fans who packed Arthur Ashe Stadium that evening to watch history unfold.
Attendees buzzed as defending US Open champion Venus Williams—at 21 years old, the world No. 4 player—faced the tournament’s 1999 victor, Serena Williams—her 19-year-old sister, and the world No. 10. The meeting not only marked the first time in US Open history that two siblings had faced each other for the singles title, but the first time two women of color played for the Open's trophy.
The sisters had played one another before, even at other majors. There was the second round of the 1998 Australian Open, then the Wimbledon semifinals in 2000, both of which Venus won. But this marked their first meeting in a US Open match—the first time they’d faced off in a Grand Slam final.
Heading into the match, Venus owned three major titles, including a Wimbledon trophy from just two months prior. Meanwhile, despite the 1999 title win, Serena hadn’t advanced past any major’s quarterfinals in more than a year. As Venus and Serena exchanged points on the US Open hardcourt on this late-summer night, mother Oracene Price watched from the stands. No matter who eventually won, each point earned would belong to one of her daughters.
Serena won the coin toss and opted to serve. She blasted the ball across the net and was the first to put points on the scoreboard. The seemingly nervous younger sister attacked throughout the match, to mixed results: some shots went wide, others rolled off the net. But Serena’s dangerous first serves could reach over 105 miles per hour.
After Serena grabbed the first two service games, she swung hard into a number of unforced errors. Venus applied a similar amount of force with each stroke, but managed more accuracy via measured shotmaking. The elder sibling won a break point at 3-2, then scored three more games to take the first set in 27 minutes.
The second set initially saw Serena crack more unforced errors, costing her the first two games. But she broke back to 2-2 as the capacity crowd roared its approval. Venus took a game off her sister’s serve as she chased the ball back and forth behind the baseline, ultimately letting Serena sink one out of bounds. The siblings continued to match one another point for point and game for game, playing some of the night’s highest quality tennis as the second set became tied at 3-3; then at 4-4. Venus broke again, then cranked a few more blazing serves.
Venus’ serve for championship point was hit into the net by Serena. With the 6-2, 6-4 victory and US Open women’s title secured after 69 minutes of play, Venus hustled to the net and embraced her sister, perfectly capping the historic evening.
“Both of us win in a way,” Venus said in her post-match press conference. “It would be easier for her to beat me. I’d maybe be happier. Iit’s kind of strange when you’re the big sister, looking to take care of the younger one.”
But she also defeated her sister in perhaps the most consequential match they’d ever play against one another.
What's in store for our grandest stage this summer? Join us and find out. The 2022 US Open main draw begins on Aug. 29 and runs through Sept. 11. Individual tickets and ticket plans are on sale now at Ticketmaster.
