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 moment No. 16, we’re looking at one of many quintessential Serena moments. We're turning our clocks back to 2014, the year Serena won her third consecutive US Open title and drew level with a pair of tennis icons on the all-time Slam title list.
Throughout her rocket ride of a career, Serena Williams has never been one to dwell on her achievements. It was true the moment she won her first major title – fittingly at the US Open in 1999, at the age of 17 – and it was also true in 2014, the year the American icon took out Caroline Wozniacki in Arthur Ashe Stadium for her 18th major singles title.
With it, Williams tied Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova on the all-time Grand Slam singles title list at 18 and became the first woman to complete a three-peat in Flushing meadows since Evert won four straight titles from 1975 to 1978.
The stars were out that evening in New York, but none shone brighter than the larger-than-life Williams as she quelled the Dane’s title hopes with a 6-3, 6-3 lashing. It was a flawless Williams that rumbled through the draw in 2014. Playing at the peak of her powers after a trying season, Williams’ game switched into overdrive. She won the Open for a third time without dropping a set, and never lost more than three games in a single set.
Though it was momentous, it was not enough to satisfy the great champion.
“I'm already looking at maybe No. 19,” Williams deadpanned in her post-match press conference. “I'm not thinking about it so much — I think once you do you become a little satisfied. I have said this before: I don't want to become that. I want to continue to rise and continue to play really hard and do the best that I can.”
True to form, Williams would return to New York next year with 21 major titles to her name.
That’s Serena Williams in a nutshell: Go big or go home. And if big isn’t working, go queen-sized.
Thanks to titles at Stanford and Cincinnati in the summer of 2014, Williams earned a $1 million bonus for winning the US Open Series, and ended up taking home $4 million, the largest single prize purse in tennis history – for a man or woman– at the US Open.
During the trophy ceremony, which also featured appearances by Evert and Navratilova, Wozniacki made one of her best plays of the night: "You're an unbelievable champion and you're an inspiration to me, both on and off the court,” the former World No.1 said. “You're an unbelievable friend – and you definitely owe drinks later."
Though she was already looking forward to racking up her next cluster of major titles, the fact that Williams had tied Navratilova and Evert with her victory was not lost on her.
“It means a lot to me,” she said. “You know, I just could never have imagined that I would be mentioned with Chris Evert or with Martina Navratilova, because I was just a kid with a dream and a racquet. Living in Compton, you know, this never happened before.”
Now the Open Era's Grand Slam title leader with 23, Williams will return to the scene of many of her greatest triumphs in 2022, hoping to take another shot at rewriting tennis’ record books.
She won’t be the favorite this year in Flushing Meadows, but if the last two decades of brilliance from Serena have taught us anything, it is that we can never count her out.
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.
