By Owen Kutlu, Sports Editor
The 2024 U.S. Open delivered a thrilling tournament filled with unexpected twists, standout performances and memorable moments. The final Grand Slam of the year, held in New York, left tennis fans with plenty to talk about.
In the men’s singles, Jannik Sinner captured his second career Grand Slam title, defeating American Taylor Fritz in straight sets (6-3, 6-4, 7-5). As the tournament went on, Sinner’s draw started falling into place and gave him a relatively routine route to the title. He managed to block out distractions, especially given his off-court issues that many thought would affect his focus. His victory solidified his position at the top of the tennis world, adding to his earlier win at the Australian Open, and completing a sweep of the 2024 hardcourt majors.
For Fritz, reaching the final marked a significant breakthrough. The American had never advanced past the quarterfinals of a major before this tournament, and his run brought hope to a U.S. men’s tennis scene that has been longing for a Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick’s win in 2003. Fritz’s journey included defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in an electric semifinal match. While Fritz was not able to raise the trophy, the tournament has given hope to American fans who have been waiting for something to cheer about for a long time.
Sinner was the heavy favorite going into the match, and the outcome was what was expected, however, having Fritz in the final was a breath of fresh air for fans who have had to watch the same few stars on tour compete in every important final. The tournament may spark a fire in some players who now might realize that the upper echelon of players is not as far ahead anymore as they once thought.
In the women’s singles, Aryna Sabalenka triumphed in a hard-fought final over Jessica Pegula. The world No. 1 Sabalenka clinched her third Grand Slam title with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 win. Her victory was a testament to her consistency throughout 2024, having already won the French Open earlier in the year. Pegula, who was playing in her first-ever Grand Slam final, also had a breakthrough tournament, defeating the favorite, Iga Świątek, in the quarterfinals in a stunning upset. Despite the loss, Pegula’s performance represented a major leap forward in her career.
The tournament was also defined by some shocking early exits. Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz were both knocked out way earlier than expected. Djokovic, gunning for his 25th Grand Slam, fell to Alexei Popyrin in the third round in a huge upset. Meanwhile, Alcaraz was stunned by Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets, a result that no one saw coming given Alcaraz’s incredible form throughout the year. Some think that the pressure of the Olympics may have worn Alcaraz out leading up to the tournament.
The 2024 U.S. Open will be remembered not just for its winners, but also for the significant upsets and breakthrough performances that reshaped the narrative of the tournament. It was a showcase of grit, mental resilience, and the emergence of new talent, offering a glimpse into the future of tennis. Many players will look to build off of their performances in next year’s grand slam calendar.
This article originally appeared on page 21 of the No. 1 October 2024 edition of The Gettysburgian’s magazine.
