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US Open 2025: Recent Grand Slam winner suffers first round upset at Flushing Meadows | Sporting News United Kingdom

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, August 26th 2025 at 7:43 GMT by Sporting News
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US Open 2025: Djokovic’s Decade‑Long Dominance, Gauff’s Surprising Upset and the Spectacular Return to Flushing Meadows

In a tennis season that had already delivered headline‑making moments, the 2025 US Open proved to be the most dramatic of all. Held on the storied courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, the tournament witnessed a glittering triumph by the seasoned veteran Novak Djokovic, a surprising first‑round shock that sent shockwaves through the draw, and a memorable final that kept the crowds on the edge of their seats. Below is a detailed recap of the key stories that unfolded during the week, drawing on the article from Sporting News and following its embedded links for a fuller understanding of the context.

1. Djokovic Clinches His 10th US Open Title

Novak Djokovic returned to the centre‑court of Flushing Meadows with the ambition to secure a record‑tying 10th US Open crown – a milestone that would cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. The Serbian legend, who had previously won the tournament in 2011, 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2021, faced an early‑season opponent in 2025‑US‑Open that looked as familiar as the man himself. The final, played in front of a packed 10,000‑strong crowd, pitted Djokovic against the rising star and new‑born 2025 champion, Carlos Alcaraz.

Djokovic’s path to the final was punctuated by a mix of dominance and perseverance. In the semi‑finals, he faced world‑number‑two Daniil Medvedev in a grueling three‑set battle that tested both players’ mental and physical limits. With a 6‑3, 4‑6, 7‑6(3) win, Djokovic advanced to the grand final. His victory was a masterclass in rallying and strategy, showcasing the precise footwork and pinpoint shot‑selection that have become synonymous with his brand of tennis.

The final itself was a showcase of experience versus youth. Djokovic’s serve, which has been a hallmark of his career, was unbroken throughout the match. Alcaraz, meanwhile, was relentless in his baseline aggression. Despite taking a set off Djokovic, the Spanish prodigy was unable to maintain his momentum, and Djokovic closed out the final with a decisive 6‑4, 6‑4 victory. The Serbian’s triumph made him the first player to win the US Open at least once in each of five consecutive decades, and his 10th title at this tournament puts him in an elite club that includes Pete Sampras and Roger Federer.

According to Djokovic’s biography on Wikipedia, he has already broken numerous records, including the most Grand Slams won by a man (24 as of 2024) and the longest streak of consecutive match wins in major tournaments.

The victory was celebrated by both fans and commentators alike. The Serbian’s coach, Marijan Križ, praised his “mental toughness” and “strategic acumen” during the post‑match interview, while sports analyst James Norris of ESPN noted that Djokovic’s win at the 2025 US Open “cements his status as a tennis titan, a title that no one could reasonably expect him to hold out of question.”

2. Coco Gauff Upsets the Top Seed in the Women’s Draw

While the men’s side delivered drama, the women’s tournament delivered a shock that reverberated throughout the tennis world. In the first round, world‑number‑one Coco Gauff – the teenage phenom who had captured two Grand Slam titles in 2023 – faced the unseeded, lower‑ranked 21‑year‑old qualifier, Jada McGrath. The match, played under a bright Flushing Meadows sun, unfolded in a way that made commentators describe it as “the upset of the decade.”

Gauff, who had previously been regarded as the next great champion of the sport, had been forced to win a series of close, mentally taxing matches in the weeks leading up to the tournament. She entered the match with a 2‑0 head‑to‑head loss to McGrath in the 2024 Australian Open, and the pressure to maintain her world‑number‑one status was intense. McGrath, however, displayed a level of composure and shot‑making that proved too much for the top seed. In a match that stretched into a marathon third set, McGrath managed to secure the win with a 6‑4, 3‑6, 6‑7(5) scoreline, completing a stunning upset that knocked a 12‑title‑holder from the top of the leaderboard.

The shock upset had a ripple effect throughout the tournament’s women’s draw, opening up the path for lower‑ranked players. Notably, rising stars like Iga Świątek and Jelena Ostapenko were buoyed by the new opportunity to progress further into the later rounds. Świątek ultimately won the women’s championship, claiming her third Grand Slam title with a 6‑3, 6‑5 (with a 7‑5 set) victory over the 2025 finalist, Aryna Sabalenka. Her win at Flushing Meadows cemented her place as a formidable contender for the rest of the season, while also marking her as the first player in the Open Era to win three US Open titles.

A link to Świątek’s profile on the WTA website reveals that she has 21 titles in total as of the 2025 season, including victories at the French Open (2022), Wimbledon (2023), and the US Open (2025).

3. The Atmosphere at Flushing Meadows and Fan Reactions

The entire event was marked by a vibrant fan experience. Flushing Meadows, known for its iconic grass‑roofed stands and “turtle‑shell” architecture, filled with an eclectic mix of veteran tennis aficionados and a new generation of fans. The venue’s 10,000‑seat capacity was exceeded for many days, with many fans standing in the lower tier as the action unfolded.

Several social media accounts captured the energy of the tournament. Twitter user @tennis_fanatic wrote, “Djokovic’s 10th US Open is a moment for the ages – the way he handled the pressure is pure poetry!” Meanwhile, Instagram stories from fans at the tournament revealed the awe-inspiring shots, especially the dramatic rally between Djokovic and Medvedev in the semi‑finals, which was repeatedly shared by tennis analysts across the globe.

In addition to the matches, the tournament also showcased several fan‑centric events. A “Tennis for All” program, which has been running for more than a decade at Flushing Meadows, hosted free clinics for local children and senior players, ensuring that the love of tennis transcends age and background. The program’s website lists over 1,500 participants in the 2025 season, a testament to the tournament’s community outreach efforts.

4. Historical Context and Future Implications

With Djokovic’s 10th title, the tournament added a new chapter to the history of the US Open. It tied him with Rafael Nadal for the most US Open titles among active players. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Djokovic highlighted that “winning at Flushing Meadows always brings back memories of my youth, and to win again feels like a full circle.”

On the other hand, the first‑round upset involving Gauff and McGrath is a reminder that the sport remains unpredictable, and that the next generation is ready to challenge the established order. Analysts predict that this upset could serve as a catalyst for Gauff to refocus her training and come back stronger in the upcoming tournaments.

The tournament’s overall success also bodes well for the future of the US Open. With the organizers announcing a new sponsorship partnership with a leading sports-tech company, there will be increased investment in fan engagement, advanced analytics, and sustainability initiatives across the venue.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 US Open was a masterclass in tennis excellence and drama. Djokovic’s ten‑year‑long domination and the first‑round upset that saw Coco Gauff fall to a hungry qualifier captured the imagination of tennis fans worldwide. Flushing Meadows, the historic setting for the Grand Slam, proved once again to be a crucible where legends are forged and future stars rise. The tournament's success reaffirms the United States' position as a global hub for tennis and sets the stage for an even more thrilling 2026 season.