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.
Doubles takes center stage in our latest installment. In 2014, the Bryan brothers hit the century mark: the US Open was their 100th title together.
About the only thing that Bob and Mike Bryan missed on championship Sunday at the 2014 US Open was their signature chest bump.
“It was a miscommunication,” Mike said of the botched victory move. “I went for it, Bob didn’t lift off.”
The result? Bob ended up holding up his brother in his arms.
“It gets ugly sometimes,” Bob later admitted. “I don’t think we have ever done this kind of 'Dirty Dancing' swan dive. He just felt light as a feather. I could have held him up there all day. That was a first.”
Between the lines, though, it was a thing of beauty. To win their 100th career title as a team, the American twins dominated the Spanish duo of Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez in the Open's final that year; the 6-3, 6-4 win over the No. 11 seeds was doubly sweet, as it avenged an earlier loss from Roland Garros that spring.
It was a record-tying fifth US Open crown for the then 36-year-old Bryans in a string of crowning moments that started as six-year olds back home in California. It went on to include NCAA titles at Stanford, an Olympic gold and a whole trophy case of 16 Grand Slam crowns.
The pair retired from tennis in 2020 with 119 career titles together, an ATP record, and over 1,000 match wins. But on that day in New York, only three digits were top of mind.
“I was having flashbacks to my whole career towards the end of the match. I was trying to stay in the moment, but it was impossible,” said Bob. “The number right here [100 titles], we have really been looking at for a couple of years.”
Added Mike: “It feels great to be recognized and to achieve something great in a sport you have dedicated your life to.”
The stakes and tension were palpable in the first match in Arthur Ashe Stadium on the tournament’s final Sunday, but they did little to sink a high caliber of play.
“We went out there and played a good match,” Bob said.
The twins turned away two break points before pocketing in first set in an efficient 36 minutes. In the second set, a critical service break put the match and title on left-handed Bob’s racquet. A nervous Bob made a rare unforced error on match point No. 1, but as he had been for 30 years, the right-handed Mike was there to pick him up: On match point No. 2, he wrapped up the victory with a crisp finishing volley.
“It was, kind of, our best of the tournament,” Mike said, “against a really tough team that posed a lot of challenges.”
Including that celebratory chest bump.
