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Arthur Ashe has been home to the pinnacle Grand Slam event, the US Open, since 1997. For nearly thirty years, the iconic tennis venue has repeatedly become the battlefield for the world’s greatest players. Below, we recall the most memorable duels that unfolded on the storied court.
The Inaugural Match: A Historic Beginning
The 117th edition of the US Open is best remembered for two things. First, it was the maiden Grand Slam final and a breakthrough for new-born star Venus Williams. Second, the tournament premiered at Arthur Ashe Stadium, later becoming the principal US Open venue.
Named after Arthur Robert Ashe, an American tennis legend, five-time Grand Slam champion, and the first US Open winner in the Open Era, the stadium became the most capacious tennis arena in the world, containing an unprecedented 23,771 seats.
The venue’s opening ceremony took place on August 25, 1997, and on the same day, the first-ever game was played on the brand-new court. The inaugural encounter was a women’s singles match between Thai player Tamarine Tanasugarn and American Chanda Rubin.
Twenty-year-old Tanasugarn, with fairly modest Grand Slam achievements, faced off against twenty-one-year-old Rubin, an Australian Open singles semifinalist and doubles champion. Nevertheless, the Thai player came out victorious in the match, beating the American in two sets.
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Legendary Rivalries at Arthur Ashe Stadium
Because the US Open is an unmissable event for the world’s tennis elite, Arthur Ashe Stadium has witnessed the fiercest rivalries in the sport multiple times. The following are some of the epic clashes that heated the court to the max and kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
- 2001: Pete Sampras vs. Andre Agassi. The unforgettable quarterfinals featured two Grand Slam superstars and perennial rivals on the court. The incredibly intense and close contest resulted in four tie-breaks, with Sampras winning 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6.
- 2001: Venus Williams vs. Serena Williams. Broadcast in primetime for the first time in the tournament’s history, the women’s singles final was also the sisters’ first US Open face-off. The drama-filled matchup ended in a 6-2, 6-4 victory for the elder sister, Venus.
- 2003: Justine Henin vs. Jennifer Capriati. Playing on opposite sides of the net were a former No. 1 from the US and a promising Belgian, who defeated her more experienced opponent 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 in a neck-to-neck battle to become the world’s next number one.
- 2011: Noval Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal. The men’s singles final brought together Nadal, the reigning champion, and Djokovic, who had triumphed at Wimbledon earlier that year. The Serbian won 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1, taking revenge for his previous year’s loss.
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If you can’t physically attend seminal matches at Arthur Ashe, you can watch and bet on them online at first-rate betting sites. 1xBet leads the way in online tennis gambling, providing the best odds, events, and online betting markets. You can wager on tennis online on the site 24/7/365.
Breakthrough Moments for Rising Stars
Apart from being a battleground for long-standing adversaries, Arthur Ashe Stadium has also been a launching platform for brilliant careers. Back in 1997, Venus Williams became the first of the many tennis stars to be lit up on the iconic court. Here are some more breakthrough stories.
Naomi Osaka vs. Serena Williams (2018 US Open Final)
The 2018 US Open women’s singles final pitted an up-and-coming young athlete against her role model. Twenty-year-old Japanese player Naomi Osaka reached her first Grand Slam final to meet the holder of 23 major singles titles and recognised tennis queen Serena Williams.
Winning 6-2, Osaka set the tone in the first set, but Williams showed grit and took the lead in the next, unwilling to give in. However, Japan’s rising star appeared faster, more powerful, accurate, and self-possessed, breaking the former No. 1 in the second set, too, and winning it 6-4.
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Emma Raducanu vs. Leylah Fernandez (2021 US Open Final)
The 2021 final featured two Canada-born prodigies, 18-year-old Raducanu and 19-year-old Fernandez. Both had come an amazing way to the main match: the former made it to the final as a No. 150 qualifier, and the latter, ranked 73rd, beat ex-No. 1 and reigning champion Osaka.
Either of the young talents shone on the court and deserved to win. However, Raducanu turned out invincible in the final game, as well as in every previous round. She defeated Fernandez in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, and clinched her maiden Grand Slam title without losing a single set.
Matches That Redefined Tennis History
Since its opening, Arthur Ashe has become a place where fates are decided and tennis history is made. Not only does the arena allow aspiring athletes to show themselves off, but it also gives established tennis players opportunities to change the game and prove their dominance.
Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick (2007 US Open Quarterfinal)
The question of who is the best in the world has been repeatedly answered at the stadium, and a men’s singles quarterfinal at the 2007 US Open was one such case. The historic match had two tennis titans, Andy Roddick and Roger Federer, standing on either side of the net.
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By the time they met on the legendary court, both had reached the heights of the sport and ranked number one on the globe: the American in 2003 and the Swiss in 2004. The clash of the titans ended in a 7-6, 7-6, 6-2 win for Federer, who cemented his status as a dominant force.
Kim Clijsters’ Return (2009 US Open Final)
The 2009 US Open was challenging for the Belgian player. Just from retirement, she entered the tournament with a wild card and competed without a ranking. Yet, Kim Clijsters’ comeback appeared a blast, and she delivered one of the most momentous performances at Arthur Ashe.
Round by round, the Belgian advanced to the final, defeating top-ranked opponents en route. In the semifinals, she outperformed Serena Williams, the defending champion and the world’s No. 2. By beating finalist Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 6-3, Kim Clijsters sealed her triumph in the major.
Record-Breaking Performances at Arthur Ashe Stadium
In addition to furious showdowns, inspiring success stories, and historic performances, Arthur Ashe Stadium is well-known for its records. Some of them are rather entertaining and look more like fun facts, while others demonstrate remarkable achievements of the sport’s heavyweights.
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Longest Match in US Open History (2024)
The 2024 edition of the US Open set a record for featuring the longest-running game in the championships’ history. It took Daniel Evans and Karen Khachanov a staggering 5 hours and 35 minutes to decide who would advance to the second round. Evans won 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.
The previous record belongs to Stefan Edberg and Michael Chang, who had been playing for 5 hours and 26 minutes in the men’s singles semifinals at the 1992 US Open. With the scores of 6-7, 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4, Edberg emerged victorious in the match and went on to win the major.
Most Consecutive US Open Wins by Roger Federer
For years, Roger Federer, one of the all-time tennis greats, fascinated audiences at Arthur Ashe Stadium with his superb performances and back-to-back tournament victories. In 2004, the phenomenal player embarked on a winning streak, the longest at the US Open in the Open Era.
After becoming the men’s singles champion in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, Federer holds the record for most back-to-back titles. Moreover, he won more consecutive games than anyone else. The 2009 US Open final put an end to the winning streak, lasting 40 matches.
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The Atmosphere of Arthur Ashe Stadium
Located in New York, Arthur Ashe Stadium captures the vibrant atmosphere of the City That Never Sleeps. Every year, when hosting the final event in the Grand Slam series, the arena takes centre stage, transforming into a bright, rip-roaring destination coveted by many.
Attracting the strongest athletes from all around the world, the stadium boasts an environment just as diverse as the cosmopolitan city. Like hordes of tourists come to see New York, avid tennis fans flock to Arthur Ashe to watch an exhilarating spectacle on the legendary court.
Conclusion
Since its inception, Arthur Ashe Stadium, named in honour of the American tennis player, has become almost as celebrated as its namesake. For decades, the 23,771-seat arena has been the scene of indelible moments, including astonishing battles, breakthroughs, and records.
It’s where archrivals Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi competed, and the names of Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu were revealed. And, of course, Arthur Ashe will always be remembered for Roger Federer’s awe-inspiring feat of winning five men’s singles titles in a row.
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