The US Open has shown to be the ultimate apex of several players’ careers.
We examine the eight women who won their lone Grand Slam title—or titles—in New York during the current tournament.
Tracy Austin – 1979, 1981
The only woman in the Open Era to win three US Open titles without also winning a major singles title abroad is former world No. 1 Austin.
Austin, then 16 years old, defeated Martina Navratilova for the second title two years later, making history as the youngest US Open winner ever. Austin had defeated Chris Evert in the 1979 final.
The American advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian and French Opens and finished in the semifinals at Wimbledon thrice.
Gabriela Sabatini – 1990
Sabatini advanced to several Wimbledon and Australian Open semifinals before losing to Graf in the 1991 Wimbledon final.
Sabatini, one of the most well-liked athletes of her generation, achieved her finest career moment in 1990 at the US Open.
The Argentine defeated her longtime rival, Steffi Graf, in the 1988 final and went on to win the lone Grand Slam singles championship of her career two years later.
Samantha Stosur – 2011
All three of the sport’s disciplines saw Stosur win Slams, and her lone major singles championship was in New York 13 years ago.
After overcoming unexpected semi-finalist Angelique Kerber, the Australian made it to the championship game, where she shocked Serena Williams by winning.
Her only other close call with another victory occurred in the French Open, as she advanced to the semifinals in 2009, 2012, and 2016 but lost the championship match in 2010.
Flavia Pennetta – 2015
Few people could forget Pennetta’s historic run in New York nine years ago, when the 26th seed easily navigated the draw and declared her retirement right away.
After easily overcoming Simona Halep in the round of sixteen, the Italian went on to overcome fellow countrywoman Roberta Vinci in one of the most unexpected Grand Slam finals ever.
After her victory, Pennetta did not participate in any further major tournaments. She had advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2014 Australian Open and the 2013 US Open.
Sloane Stephens – 2017
The only player to win a Grand Slam after using a protected rating to get into the main draw is Stephens.
Prior to the 2017 competition, the American star ranked 83rd in the world. However, she won her only major title when she defeated Madison Keys in an all-American final.
The former world No. 3 has had success in other venues, having advanced to the 2018 French Open final and the 2013 Australian Open semifinal.
Bianca Andreescu – 2019
With her victory in New York five years ago, Andreescu became the first—and as of right now, the only—Canadian to win a Grand Slam singles title.
The 15th seed, who was only 19 years old at the time, defeated six-time champion Williams in the final after defeating Belinda Bencic in the round of 16.
Throughout her career, Andreescu has suffered greatly from injuries, and she has never advanced past the second week of a major outside of New York.
Emma Raducanu – 2021
With her victory in New York three years ago, Raducanu made history—possibly the most unexpected Grand Slam triumph ever.
The British player, who was ranked 150th at the time, defeated Leylah Fernandez in the championship match to become the first qualifier to win a major championship. She did it without dropping a set.
Her career’s lone triumph still stands, and she hasn’t advanced to another major quarterfinal; her two best results outside of Wimbledon came in the fourth round in 2021 and 2024.
Coco Gauff – 2023
Gauff is returning to defend her US Open title, which she won a year ago, which is her maiden Grand Slam victory.
The home favorite overcame a set deficit to defeat Aryna Sabalenka in the championship match of the previous year, making history as the eighth American woman to win the Open Era.
She has already advanced to the final of the French Open and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open; however, she will have to wait until 2025 to advance further.