With the 135th edition of the US Open just a little over a week away, now would be a good time to take a trip down memory lane and relive all the highs (and an ill-fated low) from this prestigious tournament.
Many of the tennis greats from the past that have made their marks in Arthur Ashe Stadium appear on this feature. Plus, a couple of active future-Hall-of-Famers are also features and will look to add another Grand Slam title to their respective illustrious professional careers come the 31st of August. Read on as we look back at all the captivating moments from Flushing Meadows.
In other sporting news, the best of the best in F1 racing are all geared up for Spa this coming weekend. Head on over to our complete preview of the Belgian Grand Prix, as well as our special coverage on why Louis Hamilton won’t win the aforementioned event.
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Top 5 All-Time Moments from the US Open
Most US Open Titles
Ever since the immortal Arthur Ashe won the inaugural opening of the US Open to all tennis professionals back in 1968, many other tennis legends have succeeded in his wake and have re-written history. This year, more Open Era records could very well be broken, especially with Roger Federer and Serena Williams still playing at a very high level.
[sc:Other240banner ]Federer has five US Open titles under his belt, tied with American tennis superstars Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras. The Swiss sensation – who is currently ranked as the second-best male tennis player in the world today – could become the all-time men’s singles title winner at the US Open in just a few weeks’ time.
The same could be said about Serena Williams, who has six US Open titles to her credit in the women’s circuit. The best player in the WTA right now – and for what seems like an eternity already – can break her tie with Chris Evert. Evert also won six titles in Flushing Meadows between 1975 and 1982, but defending U.S. Open champion Williams could very well put an end to their deadlock this September.
Most Memorable Match
Jimmy Connors was already a made man by 1991. With five US Open titles in hand – all from the 70s and 80s – Connors was just playing out the twilight of his career, but not before he goes out with a bang.
The 12-time Grand Slam winner entered the tournament as the 174th-ranked player in the world, serving up one wild finish after another, but none bigger than his fourth round matchup against Aaron Krickstein. The match also happened to be on his 39th birthday, and every New Yorker in the stands were at their most raucous state, eagerly cheering for their fellow American racketeer.
Connors came out the victor in a five-set thriller, 3-6, 7-6(8), 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(4), and not before some hotly contested verbal tussles with the chair umpire of the match, which just fueled the already rowdy people in attendance even more. “You’re an abortion! Do you know that?” Connors passionately exclaimed to the umpire at one point. “… Get the f*** out of there!”
Ultimately, Connors would bow out of the tournament at the hands of Jim Courier in the semis. Nonetheless, the Arthur Ashe Stadium has never seen a crowd that was as fiery and invested than that from Connor’s surprising and maniacal run.
Longest Match
Just a year after Connor’s heroics, the 1992 US Open played host to the longest match in its history.
It might not have lasted as long as seven days, but tennis icons Michael Chang and Stefan Edberg served up a marathon of a semifinal match that lasted a grueling five hours and 26 minutes. Edberg would go on to win that match over Chang, 6–7, 7–5, 7–6, 5–7, 6–4.
Greatest Shot
Roger Federer doesn’t play with a lot of flair, nor does he clamor for much of the media’s attention, but he certainly had the entire world in awe at the first round of the US Open back in 2010.
Watch as Federer returns Brian Dabul’s wonderful lob (that looked impossible to return) with a between-the-legs circus shot of his own from way back near the wall where he was holding serve.
If that shot doesn’t amaze you, what else will? That was simply one of the greatest plays in professional tennis by one of the greatest to ever compete in the sport.
Oddest (or More Like Scariest) Off-Court Moment
1977 was a rough period for New York. In the midst of the “Son of Sam” murders, the Big Apple had to deal with an increase in crime rate and numerous power blackouts stemming from riots around the five boroughs. But the US Open had to go on, only for an unfortunate incident to transpire within the confines of Arthur Ashe Stadium itself.
During the third round match between John McEnroe and Eddie Dibbs, a strange commotion emanated from the stands as 33-year old Queens native James Reilly was shot by a .38 caliber bullet on his thigh. Nobody witnessed any gunman within the crowd at that time, so at least there was no utter pandemonium that called for an abrupt suspension of play. Apparently, the stray bullet came from the mean streets outside and somehow ricocheted its way to Reilly’s lap.
McEnroe and Dibbs would go on to finish their match, but the harrowing experience in Flushing Meadows will never be forgotten.
Say no to unwanted gunfire and widespread riots. Create a betting account now to fire off an ace of a winning prediction for the upcoming 2015 US Open instead.
