Coco Claims US Open Breakthrough, Djokovic Triumphs Once Again In New York

The 2023 tennis season has been a tale of new faces and new stars, and nowhere was that more apparent than these past two weeks at the US Open. 

Between Coco Gauff’s magical title run and Ben Shelton’s coming-out party in front of raucous New York crowds, these new era stars put together an electric two weeks of tennis that showcased once again how strong the future of the sport truly is.

But even with these young superstars taking the spotlight in New York, there was still plenty of room on the stage for familiar faces like Novak Djokovic, who continued his ascent to legendary status by adding yet another Grand Slam title to his growing and growing trophy case.

The 2023 Grand Slam season is officially over now, but the storylines abound as the calendar ticks closer and closer to the 2024 BNP Paribas Open next March.

Coco’s Championship Moment Caps Off Monumental Summer Swing

Coco Gauff’s two weeks in New York were a dream come true.

Having already picked up two titles on the hard courts this summer, the signs were pointing to a breakout US Open for the 19-year-old American, but even Coco herself couldn’t have written a script this sweet.

With her back against the wall down a set against newly-crowned World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s final, Gauff showed a veteran strength and resilience well beyond her years to rally the match into a third set. The match was dramatic, every point was a battle, and when all was said and done in Arthur Ashe Stadium, it was Coco left standing as the first teenager to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999.

Coco has felt destined for this moment ever since her Wimbledon breakthrough at just 15-years-old in 2018, but it was far from an easy road for her to reach this pinnacle. After stumbling in the first round at this year’s Wimbledon, there was some serious soul-searching for Coco to do in finding what it would take for her to finally get that Grand Slam breakthrough.

Clearly, it didn’t take long for her to find that magic spark, and Coco now heads into the fall with the biggest title of her career under her belt and a career-high World No. 3 ranking. 

Djokovic’s Stifles Shelton’s Run, Captures Grand Slam No. 24

Novak Djokovic’s dominance is practically unquantifiable at this point. A 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open extends his record over all other male players, but his on-court dominance is greater than just his major count. 

Still playing at the top of his form (if not better) at the age of 36, Djokovic’s dominance has transcended the arc of a typical playing career. His win over Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final earned him the crown of the oldest US Open winner of the Open Era, and there are no indications that the Serbian is slowing down anytime soon.

Despite his age, he is comfortably taking down his fellow competitors, many of whom are decades younger, and doing so in typical ‘Djokovic-fashion’ by relentlessly wearing them down over the course of the match and simply outlasting them in rallies point-after-point.

But although Djokovic walks away the winner in New York, young stars like Ben Shelton will also leave the tournament feeling confident and energized about their ability to compete moving forward.

Shelton gave Djokovic all he could handle in their semifinal matchup, and although he came up short, there were plenty of positives to take away for the 20-year-old American and 2022 NCAA National Champion. Shelton leaves New York showing he can go toe-to-toe with the ATP’s best, and fans headed to Tennis Paradise can have their fingers crossed that a Shelton-Djokovic rematch is in store next March.

SINGLE SESSION TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR THE 2024 BNP PARIBAS OPEN

Single Session Tickets for the 2024 BNP Paribas Open are now on sale! Browse a variety of ticket  options and choose your preferred way to experience world-class tennis in Indian Wells March 4-17, 2024.