2021 US Open: Overview and When It Occurred
The 2021 US Open was the fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the 2021 season. Held annually since 1881, this edition took place from late August into September at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. The event features five main competitions: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles, alongside junior and wheelchair draws. It is the only Grand Slam still played on hard courts, using acrylic surfaces layered over asphalt, overseen by the United States Tennis Association (USTA).
2021 US Open Champions and Results
The 2021 champions returned the sport's most storied names to major success while showcasing rising talent across draws. Below is a summary of the primary champions and key finalists for the tournament.
Singles Champions
| Category | Champion | Runner-Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Singles | Daniil Medvedev | Novak Djokovic | 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 |
| Women's Singles | Emma Raducanu | Leylah Fernandez | 6–4, 6–3 |
Doubles Champions
| Category | Champion | Runner-Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Doubles | Rajeev Ram & Joe Salisbury | Tim Pütz & Michael Venus | 7–6(5), 6–3 |
| Women's Doubles | Samantha Stosur & Zhang Shuai | Coco Gauff & Caty McNally | 6–3, 3–6, 6–3 |
Mixed Doubles Champion
| Category | Champion | Runner-Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed Doubles | Desirae Krawczyk & Joe Salisbury | Giuliana Olmos & Marcelo Arévalo | 6–3, 3–6, [10–7] | td>
Match Schedule and Key Dates
The 2021 US Open schedule ran from the fourth Tuesday in August through early September, with the Opening Night on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. The men's and women's singles finals were held on Sunday, September 12, 2021. Below is a day-by-day summary of notable matches and results for the tournament.
Day-by-Day Results Overview
| Date | Key Matches / Notes | Result or Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 31 | First day of main draw | Djokovic, Barty, Thiem, Osaka advanced |
| Sep 1 | Second round play | Osaka and Brady exited early |
| Sep 5 | Quarterfinals | Djokovic, Medvedev, Bencic, Azarenka reached semis |
| Sep 8 | Semifinals | Medvedev vs. Djokovic; Raducanu vs. Fernandez |
| Sep 12 | Finals Day | Medvedev and Raducanu claimed titles |
Notable Storylines and Context
Beyond the champions, the 2021 US Open featured several narratives that shaped the tournament's legacy. Emma Raducanu became the first British woman in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title, doing so on her major debut without dropping a set in the main draw. In men's singles, Daniil Medvedev ended Novak Djokovic's quest for a calendar-year Grand Slam, prevailing in a decisive straight-sets final. The doubles titles were split among established specialists, with Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury adding to their season dominance, while Desirae Krawczyk claimed her second mixed doubles crown of the year.
Venue, Dates, and Format Details
The tournament was hosted at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. All five main competitions used best-of-three sets for women and best-of-five sets for men. Due to weather and scheduling demands, several matches extended late into the evening sessions. The hard-court surface, combination of outdoor and indoor play, and controlled environment contributed to a consistent, high-level competitive setting throughout the two-week event.
2021 US Open at a Glance
The 2021 US Open delivered a balanced mix of breakthrough performances and veteran excellence. With clear outcomes across singles and doubles, the tournament reinforced its reputation as a major stage for legacy building and career milestones. The following table summarizes key statistics and outcomes for quick reference.
2021 US Open Key Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Tournament Dates | August 30 – September 12, 2021 | Official Schedule |
| Location | USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York | Venue Records |
| Surface | Hard (Outdoor acrylic) | Tournament Specifications |
| Men's Singles Champion | Daniil Medvedev | Official Results |
| Women's Singles Champion | Emma Raducanu | Official Results |
| Men's Doubles Champions | Rajeev Ram & Joe Salisbury | Official Results |
| Women's Doubles Champions | Samantha Stosur & Zhang Shuai | Official Results |
| Mixed Doubles Champions | Desirae Krawczyk & Joe Salisbury | Official Results |
| Total Prize Money (approx.) | $57.5 million | Organizer Announcement |
Player Performances and Key Takeaways
On the men's side, Daniil Medvedev's victory marked a turning point in his career, ending Djokovic's calendar-year Grand Slam bid and solidifying his status as a top-tier champion. The women's draw showcased Emma Raducanu's rise on the tour, combining power and precision. Doubles play emphasized consistency and experience, with Ram/Salisbury and Stosur/Zhang demonstrating effective teamwork. The mixed doubles title highlighted Salisbury's versatility, adding another milestone to an already accomplished season.
Legacy and Long-Term Impact
The 2021 US Open reinforced established champions while introducing new names to Grand Slam lore. Raducanu's breakthrough inspired a new wave of interest in British tennis, while Medvedev's win underlined the depth of men's competition beyond the top-ranked players. The tournament's smooth operation, despite pandemic-related adjustments in prior years, reflected strong planning and execution by the USTA. These factors contribute to the event's enduring appeal and its continued prominence on the tennis calendar.
Conclusion
The 2021 US Open stands as a well-balanced Grand Slam featuring definitive results across singles and doubles. Clear outcomes in the finals, combined with compelling storylines and consistent performances, make this edition a notable reference point in modern tennis history. The verified facts and match details in this guide provide a durable foundation for understanding the tournament's outcomes and its lasting significance.
Quick Reference: 2021 US Open Champions
- Men's Singles: Daniil Medvedev
- Women's Singles: Emma Raducanu
- Men's Doubles: Rajeev Ram & Joe Salisbury
- Women's Doubles: Samantha Stosur & Zhang Shuai
- Mixed Doubles: Desirae Krawczyk & Joe Salisbury
Related Topics
For more context, you may explore records from previous editions, player career timelines, and Grand Slam scheduling norms. Reliable sources include the USTA archives, ITF media releases, and official ATP and WTA statistics.