Tennis
The records, rivalries and unforgettable moments that define the US Open
From iconic victories to records that still stand, the US Open has shaped tennis history for more than 140 years. Discover what makes New York's Grand Slam unlike any other.
Every year, the US Open transforms New York into the centre of the tennis world. While fans flock to Flushing Meadows for unforgettable matches and electric night sessions, the tournament's story stretches back almost 150 years and is filled with champions, records and defining moments that have shaped the sport.
Every edition adds another chapter to that history. Some have crowned all-time greats, others have introduced future stars to the world. From dramatic upsets to record-breaking performances, the US Open has long been the stage where tennis history is made.
01
How long has the US Open been running?
When Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka lifted the trophy in 2025, they joined a very exclusive circle: that of US Open champions. But long before the global stars, the giant screens at Arthur Ashe Stadium and the millions of television viewers, the tournament looked completely different.
The history of the US Open began in 1881 in Newport, Rhode Island. At that time, it was known as the U.S. National Championships, and only men were allowed to take part. Women joined in 1887, before the tournament was gradually expanded to include doubles and, later, mixed doubles competitions.
Over the decades, the US Open has kept pace with the evolution of tennis. Players turned professional, the infrastructure was modernised, and the tournament gradually established itself as one of the indispensable fixtures on the international calendar.
Emma Navarro was the breakout star of the 2024 US Open
© Robert Snow/Red Bull Content Pool
02
From Newport to Flushing Meadows: the tournament has grown alongside New York
In 1915, the tournament left Newport and moved to Forest Hills in Queens. This was the first step towards an event of a completely different scale.
In 1978, the tournament moved to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, where it finally set up camp on brand-new hard courts. A decision that marked a turning point as the US Open became the first Grand Slam tournament to be played on this surface.
Twenty years later, the opening of Arthur Ashe Stadium permanently changed the tournament’s status. With a capacity of more than 23,000, it became the largest tennis stadium in the world.
03
What makes the US Open so special?
American star Iva Jovic will hope to write her name into US Open history
© Nick Brown/Red Bull Content Pool
Every Grand Slam tournament has its own character. The Australian Open kicks off the season under the Melbourne sun. Roland-Garros turns every rally into a battle on clay. Wimbledon cultivates its British elegance and its meticulously manicured grass courts. The US Open, on the other hand, prefers to focus on spectacle.
The famous night sessions, introduced as far back as 1975, offer a unique atmosphere. Some spectators arrive straight after work; the stands fill up as darkness falls, and every important point is met with a veritable storm of cheers.
Add to that a fast surface, serve giants, explosive rallies and a crowd that never shies away from cheering loudly… and you’ve got what is probably the most electrifying tournament on the tour.
And as if that weren’t enough, more than a million spectators pour through the gates of Flushing Meadows every year. No other tennis tournament in the world brings together so many fans for a single event.
Czech ace Jakub Menšík is an excellent hard-court player
© Jan Kasl/Red Bull Content Pool
04
The legendary champions of Flushing Meadows
Some players seem to have found a second home in New York. On the men’s side, Jimmy Connors was the undisputed king for a long time with his five titles. However, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a new star emerged in John McEnroe, and an epic rivalry emerged.
McEnroe, with his explosive temperament, won four titles (1979, 1980, 1981, 1984) and added a new dimension to the tournament with electrifying matches against Connors and Björn Borg.
A few years later, Pete Sampras made his mark with his razor-sharp serve and also won five titles. Then came Roger Federer. Between 2004 and 2008, the Swiss player won five consecutive editions.
Since then, Novak Djokovic has continued to write his own legend. Thanks to his extraordinary longevity and his ability to perform at the very highest level against several generations of players, the Serb has become one of the faces of the US Open.
In the women’s draw, there’s no getting around Chris Evert, Serena Williams, Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova. Each of them has left a unique mark on the tournament – whether through their dominance, their playing style or the excitement they’ve brought to the New York crowd.
Discover more tennis content below
05
List of winners: The champions of the last 10 editions of the US Open
Jahr
Herren
Damen
2025
Carlos Alcaraz
Aryna Sabalenka
2024
Jannik Sinner
Aryna Sabalenka
2023
Novak Djokovic
Coco Gauff
2022
Carlos Alcaraz
Iga Świątek
2021
Daniil Medvedev
Emma Raducanu
2020
Dominic Thiem
Naomi Osaka
2019
Rafael Nadal
Bianca Andreescu
2018
Novak Djokovic
Naomi Osaka
2017
Rafael Nadal
Sloane Stephens
2016
Stan Wawrinka
Angelique Kerber
The most successful players at the US Open
Some records date back to the tournament’s early days, long before the Open Era. Today, they seem almost impossible to break.
Men's titles
Ranglischte
Athlet
Titel
1
Richard Sears
7
2
William Larned
7
3
Bill Tilden
7
4
Jimmy Connors
5
5
Roger Federer
5
Women's titles
Ranglischte
Athletin
Titel
1
Molla Bjurstedt Mallory
8
2
Helen Wills Moody
7
3
Chris Evert
6
4
Serena Williams
6
5
Steffi Graf
5
06
The craziest records at the US Open
The US Open has seen some of the greatest champions in tennis history. Consequently, records have been set that sometimes seem unbeatable.
Men’s records
- Most titles: Richard Sears, William Larned and Bill Tilden (7)
- Most successful players of the Open Era: Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer (5)
- Youngest winner: Pete Sampras (aged 19, 1990)
- Oldest winner: Ken Rosewall (aged 35, 1970)
- Most consecutive titles: Roger Federer (5, from 2004 to 2008)
Women’s records
- Most titles: Molla Bjurstedt Mallory (8)
- Most titles in the Open Era: Chris Evert and Serena Williams (6)
- Youngest winner: Tracy Austin (aged 16, 1979)
- Oldest female winner in the Open Era: Flavia Pennetta (aged 33, 2015) – the record across all eras is held by Molla Bjurstedt Mallory (aged 42, 1926)
The US Open is also a pioneer off the court. In 1973, it became the first Grand Slam tournament to pay women and men the same prize money. A historic decision, driven in particular by Billie Jean King, which set a precedent in the world of tennis.
07
The most memorables US Open matches
Dominic Thiem celebrates winning the 2020 US Open
© Getty Images
Every Grand Slam tournament has its legendary encounters. In New York, some of these have become true classics.
Navratilova vs. Evert (1984 women's final)
A defining chapter in one of tennis' greatest rivalries. The final saw two icons of the sport collide once again, as Martina Navratilova battled back from a set down to defeat longtime rival Chris Evert and claim her second title at Flushing Meadows.
Sampras vs. Agassi (2001 men's quarter-finals)
Imagine a match lasting more than three hours… without a single break of serve. That is exactly what Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi delivered in a quarter-final that achieved cult status. All four sets were decided in tie-breaks. The two Americans didn’t give an inch, and the crowd witnessed one of the greatest displays of serving power and nerves in the history of tennis.
Federer vs. Djokovic (2011 men's semi-final)
Roger Federer earns two match points. The trophy seems within his grasp. Then Novak Djokovic pulls off one of the most famous comebacks in tennis history. A few minutes later, he reaches the final. In New York, a single point can change everything.
Thiem vs. Zverev (2020 men's final)
Having lost two Grand Slam finals, it looked as though Dominic Thiem's wait for a first major would go on. The Austrian trailed Alexander Zverev by two sets, but Thiem refused to surrender, slowly turning the match around before surviving a tense fifth-set battle that was decided by a tie-break.
Alcaraz vs. Sinner (2022 men's quarter-final)
If you could watch just one match featuring the new generation… choose this one. More than five hours of tennis of an extraordinary standard, a match point saved by Carlos Alcaraz, shots that seemed to come from another planet, and Arthur Ashe Stadium in a state of frenzy. As the spectators left the stands that evening, many shared the same conviction: the future of tennis was already here.
The big-serving Matteo Berrettini is always a threat at the US Open
© Brett Hemmings/Red Bull Content Pool
08
Quick facts about the US Open
How long has the US Open been running?
The US Open was founded in 1881 in Newport, Rhode Island. At that time, the tournament was called the U.S. National Championships and was exclusively for men.
Where is the US Open held?
Since 1978, the tournament has been held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, in the New York borough of Queens.
What surface is the US Open played on?
The US Open is played on hard courts. Since 2020, the Laykold surface has been used.
Who holds the record for the most US Open titles?
In the men’s draw, Richard Sears, William Larned and Bill Tilden share the record with seven titles each. In the women’s draw, Molla Bjurstedt Mallory leads with eight titles.
When will the 2026 US Open take place?
The 2026 US Open runs from August 23 until September 13.