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Arthur Ashe’s Triumph
In 1968 the US Open opened the tournament up to professionals – but it was an amateur player, Arthur Ashe, who triumphed that year, defeating Dutchman Tom Okker in the final in five sets. Ashe was the first Black man to win the US Open. But, in a depressing slice of bureaucracy was unable to claim the $14,000 prize money as he was an amateur, and therefore ineligible for the dosh. It instead went to Okker.
McEnroe vs. Nastase
In possibly the most wild US Open match of all time, John McEnroe took on Ilie Nastase in the 1979 final. It was a hot and touchy evening in the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, and the crowd were baying. After a ruling went against Nastase in the third set, the Romanian decided to lie down on the baseline. He wouldn’t get up. Eventually, the 33-year-old was disqualified, and the match given to McEnroe. The crowd went ballistic. The police were called. Nastase was allowed to carry on playing. McEnroe won anyway, in four sets. Was it worth it?
Venus vs. Serena
The 2001 match-up between Venus and Serena Williams – the first of nine major finals contested by the sisters – was the first US Open women’s final to be on primetime national television. It was also the first Grand Slam singles final in 117 years to be feature two siblings. Venus beat her younger sister 6-2, 6-4 to take the prize.
Graf’s Grand Slam
1988 was Steffi Graf’s year. The 19-year-old German star became the fifth player to complete a Grand Slam when she defeated Gabriela Sabatini 6–3, 3–6, 6–1 at the US Open. She would then go on to complete the Golden Slam winning Olympic gold at the Seoul Olympics.
Murray Mania
In 2012, after losing his first four Grand Slam finals, Scot Andy Murray finally captured his first major title by beating Novak Djokovic – and in doing so became the first Brit to win the a singles major since Fred Perry in 1936.
Del Potro vs. Federer
In 2009 Federer was unstoppable. Having already picked up the French Open and Wimbledon titles that year – as well as having won the US Open five times in a row – the smart money was on the Swiss to easily overcome Juan Martín del Potro. But the Argentinian, who beat Rafael Nadal in the semi-final, had other ideas. Despite losing the past six matches against Federer, Del Potro pulled off a stunning victory to claim the title.
Andre Agassi’s Farewell…
The 2006 US Open was to be Andre Agassi’s last ever tournament. Unfortunately, it was a bittersweet goodbye for the follicularly challenged American, as he crashed out in the third round to Benjamin Becker. The entire court gave Agassi a standing ovation, as the tears flowed.
…and Serena’s
After a glittering 25-year career, Serena Williams waved farewell to tennis in 2022 with a final match against Ajla Tomljanovic. Like Agassi, Williams also lost.
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