A new era serves at the 2025 US Open

The US Open, the last Grand Slam event on the tennis calendar, ended in New York with a historic finish. Played each summer at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the tournament is renowned for its raucous night sessions and punishing hard courts. This year was no different.

On the men's side, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in four sets: 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. The win not only gave Alcaraz his second major of the season and his second US Open title but also returned him to the world No. 1 ranking, a place Alcaraz hasn’t held since 2023. Additionally, this win was a symbol of his determination and progress from his defeat to Sinner at Wimbledon back in July. Throughout this season, the two have built one of the sport's all-time rivalries, and the contenders’ third Grand Slam final of the season only served to reinforce the idea that men’s tennis has a bright future in their hands.

In the women's draw, Aryna Sabalenka won the title for the second time in a row by defeating American Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6. The win made Sabalenka the first woman to retain consecutive US Open titles since Serena Williams over a decade ago, and it entrenched her as the most dominant hard-court player on tour.

As usual, the tournament was also full of upsets. Renata Zarazúa outside the top 80 sent No. 6 seed Madison Keys home in the first round after Keys collapsed under the pressure of 14 double faults. The other surprise was Taylor Townsend, who was unseeded, sending young prospect Mirra Andreeva into the offseason early through her aggressive net play in the third round.

Apart from the headline triumphs and losses, the Open also had stories of revelation. Coleman Wong was the first Hong Kong man to reach the main draw in the Grand Slam during the Open Era and then defeated his first-round opponent, a first for Hong Kong tennis. Marathon battles, tearful farewells, and many late-night thrillers full of drama also had people glued to their television sets.

For all its unpredictability, the US Open in 2025 finished with results that underscore the current period in tennis. Sabalenka and Alcaraz lead the way still, yet the upsets dotted around the Open were reminders that anything can happen in New York.