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' third installment, we're looking back at the beginnings of Roger Federer's five years of dominance in the Big Apple.
Roger Federer's assault on the record books was only at its precipice when he played for his first US Open title in 2004 in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
His major championship tally was less than a handful–he’d won Wimbledon in 2003 and both the Australian Open and Wimbledon leading into Flushing Meadows in 2004. His fan base was global but not yet mega global. The Big Three? There wasn’t even a Big Four. For the red, white and blue on the men’s side, there was the Big Two: defending US Open champion Andy Roddick and two-time champion Andre Agassi.
But by the time the final came around, Federer didn’t have to worry about either of them. He had beaten Agassi in the quarterfinals, a classic five-set match played over two days, and Roddick didn’t reach the semifinals. Instead, Aussie Lleyton Hewitt lined up to become victim No. 1 for Federer in the US Open finals.
It was quick. Painful for Hewitt; precise for Federer. The Swiss dropped only five points in the opening set and won the first eight games of the match. Hewitt rallied in the second set to force a tiebreak, but Federer held on and delivered a second bagel in the third to close the match, 6-0, 7-6(3), 6-0, for his third major championship of the season.
The last time there had been two bagel sets in the US Open final was 1884. Federer became the first man since Mats Wilander of Sweden in 1988 to win three Grand Slam singles titles in the same calendar year.
Federer was still coach-less after firing Peter Lundgren in December, but the Swiss had never looked more in control. “I never thought I would be sitting here, you know, as a winner, honestly, in my career. Now to have done it, it's very special to me,” said Federer, who had lost in the fourth round in Flushing the three prior years.
Pete Sampras won the US Open in 2002, and Roddick grabbed the baton from him in 2003. But Federer’s dominating 2004 US Open was the beginning of a new reign in Queens, launching his Open-era record of five consecutive men’s singles titles, featuring wins over Agassi in 2005, Roddick in 2006, Novak Djokovic in 2007, and Andy Murray in 2008.
That first win in 2004 may have been a moment Federer never thought would happen, but it led to a series of moments that tennis fans will never forget.
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.
