The US Open in 2025 was one of the most thrilling and significant contests for those involved with or betting on tennis. The tournament was dominated this year by victories from young players and heavy performances from the veterans. In particular the big breakthroughs of Sabalenka and Alcaraz indicate that it’s a new dawn in tennis.
Sabalenka’s Grand Slam title was a clear illustration of her resolve and growth on the court. Although she struggled in the first sets, she regrouped and defeated her opponents in later sets. That just really shows how much her strength and technical ability have improved. For her, this is a big high in the stage of her tennis career.
Once again, Carlos Alcaraz proved why people are calling him the “new king” of tennis with his play in the final. He battled through concentration problems that had hindered him in earlier tournaments, served brilliantly and played with great determination against some talented opponents. Which leads you to assume he will be around at the top of tennis for years and years. The way he handled clamping down on his technique in tough moments against the likes of Djokovic with that kind of track experience is a great indication as to how strong he’s getting mentally and physically.
Among the tournament’s more intriguing stories was Zeynep Sönmez playing in a Grand Slam match. Following winning matches at Wimbledon and growing in confidence, Zeynep has also played well at the US Open and has been able to compete against strong opponents in the second round. I believe that her improved serving and tactical play during matches indicates she is in an important period of her tennis career.
Djokovic is among the best at the return of serve, and his game evolves with age, so history should remember him more robustly in tennis’s annals. One of only a few players between 30 and 39 who remain in the top 50 suggests his experience and playing skills probably still pose big threats for much younger guys.
Players such as Medvedev on the other hand, do get frustrated at times and need to lift up their game, which explains how competitive ATP is. “There is no power vacuum in the sense that Sinner and Alcaraz are dictating over things, but there is a void nonetheless,” he says of the gap at ATP — yet also more fun (cue higher ratings on new tennis stars).
For me, the 2025 US Open is a new era of tennis. How quickly young players can mature, and how seasoned veterans can remain relevant by adjusting, are what demonstrate the dynamic nature of tennis; to call it anything but would be inaccurate. This makes for a fertile ground of study for both fans and scholars.
Tennis has never been just a game, it is discipline and strategy and mental strength. That’s why for me there is something particularly joyful about watching the performances of players like Sabalenka and Alcaraz, analyzing how they make decisions in matches.
Burak Dikici 