By Dave Worsley
Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev on 10 September, 2023 (US time), winning the US Open to equal Margaret Court's record haul of 24 Grand Slams. Photo: Photosport / Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic
A dozen final thoughts on the US Open 2023
Opinion - Novak Djokovic won the men's singles, but only after a huge match at a high standard, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 over third seed Daniil Medvedev for his 24th Grand Slam title and arguably the right to be called the best ever.
Coco Gauff fulfilled her dream and her destiny. She started slow in the final, but came back to win over Aryna Sabalenka in three sets. Sabalenka obliterated her racquet in the training area and then politely put it in the trash can.
New Zealand had a winner. Erin Routliffe combined with Canadian Gaby Dabrowski to win the women's doubles over Lara Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva. She became the first winner for New Zealand since Michael Venus in 2017 at the French Open, and the first female winner since Judy Connor in the Australian Open doubles in 1979.
Celebrities packed the stands for the finals. Everyone from Eva Longoria, Emma Watson, Anna Wintour, Charlize Theron to Seinfeld, Matthew Mcconaughey, Justin Timberlake, Tom Brady and more.
The US Open broke its own attendance record, with 957,387 spectators coming through the gate during the 20 days encompassing the main draw and fan week.
Coco Gauff of the United States reacts after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in their women's singles final at the US Open. Photo: AFP
Buying food or drink on site was not cheap. A Heineken beer in a can was US$15 (NZ$25), a crab roll US$26 and it was around US$9.50 for an ice cream.
Merchandise was not cheap either. A branded cap that was US$33 last year was US$40 in 2023.
The weather at the US Open was hot at times, but mostly humid, so humid that it gave players a lot of grief - and then it rained on the men's finals day, torrential rain, which had the Billie Jean-King Tennis Centre almost flooded.
Erin Routliffe (L) and Gabriela Dabrowski. Photo: AFP
Several notable players such as Dominic Thiem and Ons Jabuer withdrew from the tournament with illness, part gastro and apparently part Covid-19. It is difficult to stay healthy around close to a million people, including players from all parts of the world.
The US Open crowd is difficult to win over. It can be one of the most hostile at any sporting event and have no qualms booing players forcing them to tears. But when they like you, they love you and let you know you have their support.
The tournament was disrupted by protesters in the women's semifinal as Gauff took on Karolina Muchova. One man glued his bare feet to the ground and play was held up for nearly an hour.
Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe have huge potential to take the game to a new level around the world. They are young and bring a new audience to the sport - something tennis authorities need to look at and understand for the future.
*Tennis journalist Dave Worsley is an RNZ contributor. He has covered 43 Grand Slams.
