US Open 2025 Kicks Off with Opening-Round Drama

New York, August 24, 2025 - The 145th US Open began today at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. First-round matches lit up the new 15-day schedule. Opening day at Flushing Meadows was vibrant. Former champions returned, creating excitement. This Grand Slam promises a mix of legacy and new stories.

Emma Raducanu Finds Her “Happy Place” Again Former champion Emma Raducanu returned to where she won her fairytale 2021 title. She expressed her joy and optimism about being back. Ranked 35th in the world, Raducanu now sees New York as “truly a joyful place.” She reflects on the memories she made four years ago. The 22-year-old Brit will take on qualifier Ena Shibahara at 11:00 BST on Court 13. She stressed that her newfound confidence and enjoyment are key to her goal of regaining past glory.

Top Seeds Kick Off Their Campaigns On Arthur Ashe Stadium, Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner, the top seeds, took the spotlight. They are the reigning champions in their categories. Sabalenka is aiming to be the first woman since Serena Williams to defend her title at Flushing Meadows. She faced a qualifier in the afternoon session. Meanwhile, Sinner faced unseeded opposition in the evening’s marquee match, setting up a potential path to an all-top-seed showdown in the final against No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and No. 3 Coco Gauff also commenced their quests, each securing straight-sets victories to advance to the second round. Swiatek, fresh from winning in Cincinnati, showed her skill on hard courts. Gauff bounced back from early serving issues to win in three sets.

Home Hopes and Veteran Returns American interest grew thanks to Taylor Fritz and rising star Ben Shelton. ESPN’s primetime coverage featured them on center courts. Novak Djokovic is going for his 25th major. He started on Court 17 and quickly beat his opponent. This win keeps him in the running as a top contender.

In mixed doubles, the new short-set format led to exciting matches. Fans enjoyed tight contests on the first day at Ashe and Armstrong.

Looking Ahead As the tournament heads into the second round tomorrow, plenty of storylines are in play: Can Sabalenka manage the pressure of defending her title? Will Raducanu’s resurgence continue? And which dark-horse will upset the established order on these storied hard courts? The answers will emerge as the Grand Slam’s first week unfolds under New York’s late-August skies.