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' eighth installment, we look back at tennis' "Shot Heard 'Round the World"—a winner that helped Novak Djokovic pull off one of the greatest escapes in US Open history.
Roger Federer was incredulous.
Seated before the media in Interview Room 1, just down the hallway from the Arthur Ashe Stadium court upon which, for the second year in a row, he had blown two match points in a five-set semifinal against Novak Djokovic, the Swiss searched for the right words.
“It’s awkward having to explain this loss because I feel like I should be doing the other press conference,” he muttered.
With two match points on his racquet at 5-3, 40-15 in the fifth that Sept. 10 afternoon in 2011, Federer stepped up to serve it out, the 23,000-plus in attendance roaring their approval. He sent his first offering wide to the deuce court. Djokovic took a massive hack at the ball, hammering a crosscourt forehand return for a clean winner.
The stadium exploded and the Serb, sensing the pivot, raised his arms high, beckoning the crowd to finally show him some love. And they did. Federer still held another match point, of course, but when Djokovic readied for the return, he was nodding to himself, a sly grin on his face, as if he already knew the outcome. It said everything about who Novak Djokovic is: He could be facing match points, a partisan crowd pulling for his opponent, the world seemingly against him, but he wasn’t about to surrender his inner-belief.
Djokovic punched the next serve back into play with a two-fisted backhand. Federer stepped in and swatted what was an easy setup, only for his forehand to find the net. You can guess the rest. The five-time champion’s opportunities had vanished, and Djokovic would go on to win, 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5, earning a spot in his second straight US Open final.
In truth, no one really recalls the second match point of that epic Federer-Djokovic semi. They remember Djokovic's gamble on the first. Where did he get the temerity, the gumption to take such a risk with so much on the line?
Asked if Djokovic’s return winner was a matter of luck or merely a product of supreme confidence, Federer shot back, “Confidence? Are you kidding me? I mean, please. Look, some players grow up and play like that. I never played that way. I believe in a hard-work’s-gonna-pay-off kind of thing. This is very hard to understand how can you play a shot like that on match point.”
As Harvey Araton wrote in the New York Times: “Novak Djokovic went for it. What other choice did he have?”
“If you’re playing somebody like Roger, you have to take your chances when they’re presented, otherwise you’re losing a match,” said Djokovic, who went on to win the first of his three US Open titles, defeating Rafael Nadal in final, 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-1. “He was serving for the match. He had match points, and I could easily lose. But this is what happens at this stage of a tournament when two top players meet each other.”
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.
