Tennis fans at Milton spent 15 exciting days from August 24 to September 7 following their favorite players in the 2025 U.S. Open Tennis Championships. From predictions in the Stu to match result debriefs on the Quad after school, students were hyped from the opening days of the 2025–2026 school year. The North and South Courts hosted students and coaches’ trading match highlights, media storylines, and the latest drama from Flushing Meadows. Here’s my take on the excitement and surprises of this year’s Grand Slam tournament.
At the center of the excitement, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner—the rising duo shaping men’s tennis—met once again in a Grand Slam final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Two months after losing the Wimbledon final to Sinner, Alcaraz pulled off a brilliant four-set revenge victory, beating the Italian in a best-three-out-of-five set match. The 22 year old “Spanish Bull” ended Sinner’s 27-match winning streak on hard-court Grand Slams since the 2024 Australian Open and in turn claimed his sixth Slam, second U.S. Open title, and a top world ranking.
Fans were obsessed with the conversation over who might be the next GOAT (Greatest of All Time) and focused primarily on Alcaraz and Sinner, who have distinguished themselves from the rest of the pack and might eventually join the legendary Big Three (Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal). Varsity tennis captain Chandler Byrne ‘26 said “Sinner and Alcaraz feel like the new chapter after Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. Their matches are fast, intense, and kind of a fresh version of that old rivalry.”
Djokovic also created history after reaching the U.S. Open semifinals at the age of 38. The Serbian tennis legend refused to slow down and became the oldest man to advance to the semi-final of all four Grand Slams in a single year. Even though Djokovic entered the final stages of his illustrious career, he continued to draw cheer and admiration from fans with every match he played.
On the women’s side, after defeating Amanda Anisimova in the final, Aryna Sabalenka won her second U.S. Open in a row on September 6th, 2025—an achievement not seen since Serena Williams. But the other finalist was also no joke. Anisimova’s journey impressed the fans too. She returned from a mental health break, won against Naomi Osaka in the semifinals, and achieved a second consecutive Grand Slam final.
Charlotte Weinstein ‘26 felt, “There [are] lots of good competition, but Aryna Sabalenka is definitely a top contender, and of course, [Serena Williams] was amazing, but [Aryna Sabalenka] isn't at that level of complete dominance—and I don't think the public likes her as much.”
The tournament turned into a social media fashion show as well. Alcaraz entered his first round match with a buzz cut by his brother. Many commented that his hair was more aerodynamic. After his U.S. Open win, Alcaraz debuted his new platinum blond hair, with pictures spreading fast across social media. Osaka caught attention for her daily rotation of Labubu dolls—a popular Pop Mart toy—that matched her tennis dress. Osaka’s custom, crystal-encrusted versions resonated with her fans as a lucky charm and a fashion moment of the U.S. Open this year.
While talking about the tournament’s influence, Byrne explained, “It’s flashy, it’s the last big slam of the year, and it always seems to grab attention beyond just hardcore fans.” For our Milton tennis community, the U.S. Open was more than just a sports event. Every rally, powerful swing, and technical detail fueled discussions on tennis courts and inspired varsity players to improve their game.
“Seeing how talented the players were while watching the U.S. Open inspired me to want to be become better at tennis,” Varsity Tennis player Phoebe Quinn ‘27 commented. “Specifically, Alcaraz’s athleticism makes me want to improve my own on the court. I feel like he can get to any ball, and I want to be able to play that way, too. Alcaraz also has incredible defensive skills, and I think that’s part of what makes him so great.”
While the matches have ended, this year’s U.S. Open will continue to be an important chapter in tennis history–one that continues to drive tennis players’ practice and remind them that the sport is as much about community and culture as it is about competition.