US Open Tennis Kicks Off with Weekend Debut Amidst High Drama

The 2025 US Open Tennis Championships began on Sunday, August 24. It’s the first time the main draw has launched on a weekend in the Open Era. The final Grand Slam of the year kicked off at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. Top seeds and rising stars made their exciting debuts under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Historic Weekend Start and Expanded Schedule

This year, the US Open’s main draw kicked off on a Sunday, just like the Australian and French Opens. Now, the tournament lasts 15 days, from August 24 to September 7. Fans can look forward to more matches in the daytime and evening. Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka led the way. They aimed to keep the titles they won in 2024.

Opening Day Highlights

  • Men’s No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner, fresh off his title run last year, opened successfully on Ashe, dispatching qualifier Victor Kopriva in straight sets to a fervent crowd.
  • Top seed Aryna Sabalenka faced qualifier Ena Shibahara. She started strong, showing the power and precision that make her a favorite at Flushing Meadows.
  • Ben Shelton, the sixth seed, thrilled the Arthur Ashe Stadium in his first match. He beat Peruvian qualifier Ignacio Buse in a tense three-set battle.

Star Power and Fan Favorites in Action

Sunday’s lineup showcased top veterans and rising talents on three main show courts:

  • Novak Djokovic is going for his 25th Grand Slam. He’ll take on Labrador’s Emma Raducanu tomorrow. He enjoyed an easy win earlier on Sunday.
  • Coco Gauff, the third seed, and Iga Świątek, the second seed, both won their opening matches on Louis Armstrong Stadium. This could lead to exciting runs in the women’s draw.
  • Venus Williams stepped back onto Centre Court for singles play on Monday. This was her first match since 2023. The crowd erupted in applause as she prepared to begin.

Broadcast and Streaming Access

All first-round games aired live on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC. You could also stream them on DIRECTV, FuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV trials. Fans without cable used free trials to watch every baseline rally and power serve.

Looking Ahead to an Unpredictable Fortnight

The humid New York weather and busy schedule make the US Open exciting. Players can face unexpected matchups and early upsets. Favorites like Sinner, Sabalenka, and Novak Djokovic take center stage. Rising American stars add to the buzz. The weekend start brings a fresh twist. Players must quickly adapt to the new schedule.