This year’s US Open tournament was very different from those of previous years, but its quality of entertainment was just as good, if not better. For the first time since 2003, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams all didn’t make it past the Round of 16 in a Grand Slam tournament this year, signifying that the younger side of the players are starting to dominate more. For the past two decades, the Big 3—Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal—have been in reign of the four Grand Slams, attaining an incredible number of major titles between them—63 in total. Nonetheless, the competitors did not disappoint in providing a good show for the crowd, and the competition was still fierce with several five-set matches, especially on the men’s side. 

The tournament’s primary feature was Carlos Alcaraz’s performance. Among the new players, Alcaraz was able to fully showcase his expertise and ability in the game of tennis. Along with his first Grand Slam title, his unprecedented success broke several records including the title of youngest player to be ranked world No. 1 since the ATP rankings commenced in 1973. Furthermore, no other player has achieved a major title at such a young age since Rafael Nadal when he won the Roland Garros (also known as the French Open) at age 19 in 2005. In addition, the last time someone won the US Open at Alcaraz’s age was  in 1990 when Pete Sampas victoriously beat Andre Agassi in straight sets. In the championship, Alcaraz was worn down with fatigue as he had to endure two long-lasting five-set matches consecutively in the previous two rounds, in which one of them turned out to be the second-longest match in US Open history with a duration of five hours and 15 minutes. However, as he stated in his pre-game interview before clinching the title, “As you (the reporter) said there’s no time to be tired.” With this relentless and determined mentality, Alcaraz ignored the negative aspects of his situation prior to the match and focused on what he had to do—go all the way to victory. 

On the women’s side of the competition, Iga Swiatek, from Poland, won the championship, reaching her third Grand Slam title in which the previous two were both at Roland Garros. In the finals, she dominated the match against her opponent, Ons Jabeur who was a finalist at this year’s Wimbledon tournament as well, and finished in straight sets. Swiatek currently possesses the women’s world No. 1 ranking. Unfortunately, however, this year’s US Open marked Serena Williams’ last professional tennis tournament and the beginning of her retirement from the sport. In the tournament, she wasn’t able to get very far as she didn’t make it past the third round. She lost the match against Australian player, Ajla Tomljanović. In Serena’s three games, the crowds supported and applauded her immensely, which is only a minor representation of how much she will be missed in the world of tennis. She is regarded as the best female tennis player of all time as well as being second (after Margaret Court with 24 titles) in most major singles titles. On the contrary, in the Open Era, she holds the record for the most major titles. 

A grand congratulations should be made to the champions of this year’s US Open tournament as well as a thank you to all of the performers who greatly contributed in entertaining everyone who watched the tournament. Unfortunately, the four Grand Slams are done for the year of 2022, which means the tennis season is almost over. However, one more exciting and well-known competition is coming up—the Laver Cup.