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' sixth installment, we look back at Daniil Medvedev denying Novak Djokovic the calendar-year Grand Slam at the 2021 US Open.
In 2019, Daniil Medvedev was the villain in New York. He enraged the crowd with a certain gesture, and he taunted the late-night fans. "Your energy tonight gave me the win," he said in his on-court interview. "I want all of you to know, when you're asleep tonight, I won because of you.”
Fast forward to 2021, and, for a large percentage of the tennis faithful in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Medvedev was again, playing the villain.
This time Novak Djokovic was on the other side of the net, three sets away from becoming the first man since Aussie Rod Laver in 1969 to win the calendar-year Grand Slam in the Open Era. Djokovic had won 27 consecutive matches at major championships, and the only person who stood in his way from No. 28—and a clear distinction from rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal—was Medvedev. Djokovic had beaten the Russian seven months earlier in the Australian Open final, and five out of the eight times they’d played.
Before the match, Medvedev hinted at what might await Djokovic in the final. “The only thing I can say is all what I have left, I'm going to throw it out on Sunday,” Medvedev said.
He spoke the truth. Medvedev broke in the opening game and followed the game plan that had helped him beat Djokovic two years earlier in Cincinnati. Medvedev was clubbing forehands and walloping first and second serves. Not until the third set, while serving for the match at 6-4, 6-4, 5-2, did he show any signs of nerves. But he calmed them down, amid jeering from the pro-Djokovic crowd, to serve it out for a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win and his first major title.
“For the confidence and for my future career, knowing that I beat somebody who was 27-0 in a year in Grand Slams, I lost to him in Australia, he was going for huge history, and knowing that I managed to stop him, it definitely makes it sweeter and brings me confidence for what is to come on hard courts,” Medvedev said.
Djokovic, meanwhile, lacked the sharpness and the legs that had helped him get to within 18 games of one of the most exclusive clubs in sports. Djokovic lost his chance for the calendar-year Grand Slam, but in defeat, he gained something that had eluded him during his eight other US Open finals: love in Queens.
“Even though I have not won the match, my heart is filled with joy and I'm the happiest man alive because you guys made me feel very special on the court,” Djokovic said through sniffles during the trophy ceremony. “You guys touched my soul. I’ve never felt like this in New York. Honestly, I’ve never felt like this. I love you guys.”
Djokovic was their hero, but Medvedev was no longer the villain: He was the 2021 US Open champion.
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.
