5. 2001: Venus Williams vs. Serena Williams
This wasn't just a final; it was a cultural event. For the first time, the women's final was moved to a primetime television slot, and it featured two sisters from Compton who had taken over the tennis world. It was the first Grand Slam final between
sisters in 117 years. While the match itself wasn't a five-set thriller—defending champion Venus won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4—its significance was immense. The image of the two sisters, one celebrating a victory and the other offering support, all under the Saturday night lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, symbolized a sea change in American tennis. It was a family affair on the world's biggest stage, marking a powerful moment for the sport and the Williams family's incredible journey.
4. 1980: John McEnroe vs. Bjorn Borg
Just two months after their legendary Wimbledon final, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg met again, this time on McEnroe’s home turf in New York. It was a clash of fire and ice, the hot-headed New Yorker against the cool Swede. McEnroe, the defending champion, stormed out to a two-set lead. But Borg, ever the fighter, clawed his way back, taking the next two sets to force a decider. The fifth set was a nail-biter, but McEnroe ultimately prevailed 7-6, 6-1, 6-7, 5-7, 6-4, securing his second US Open title and getting revenge for the Wimbledon loss. The match is not only remembered as an all-time classic but also as a turning point; it would be Borg’s last appearance in a Grand Slam final, marking the end of an era.
3. 2002: Pete Sampras vs. Andre Agassi
It was the storybook ending that felt almost too perfect to be real. Pete Sampras, without a tournament win in over two years and seeded 17th, was widely considered to be past his prime. His final opponent was none other than his career-long rival, Andre Agassi. Their rivalry defined a generation of American tennis, and this was its final chapter. In a battle of styles and personalities, Sampras found his vintage form, his powerful serve-and-volley game clicking perfectly. He defeated Agassi in four sets to claim his fifth US Open and a then-record 14th major title. No one knew it at the time, but it would be the last professional match of Sampras's career. He walked off the court a champion, having beaten his greatest rival one last time.
2. 2009: Juan Martín del Potro vs. Roger Federer
Roger Federer arrived at the 2009 final as an unstoppable force. He was the five-time defending champion, riding a 40-match winning streak at the US Open. His opponent was the 20-year-old Juan Martín del Potro, a massive underdog with a thunderous forehand who had never been in a major final before. What followed was a stunning upset for the ages. The young Argentine went toe-to-toe with the master, matching him shot for shot. After four tense sets, Del Potro shocked the world by taking the fifth, winning 3-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2. It was a David vs. Goliath victory that not only denied Federer a historic sixth straight title but also announced the arrival of a powerful new contender in men's tennis.
1. 2021: Daniil Medvedev vs. Novak Djokovic
The most memorable finals often carry the heaviest weight of history, and none was heavier than this. Novak Djokovic was one match away from achieving the calendar Grand Slam—winning all four majors in the same year—a feat no man had accomplished since Rod Laver in 1969. The pressure was immense. Standing in his way was Daniil Medvedev, who had lost to Djokovic in the Australian Open final earlier that year. This time, Medvedev played the spoiler role to perfection. He was relentless from the baseline, refusing to let Djokovic settle into a rhythm. The Serbian star, visibly emotional and weighed down by the moment, couldn't find his best tennis. Medvedev won in a surprisingly straightforward 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, capturing his first major title and denying Djokovic his place in history. The sheer tension and the magnitude of what was at stake made it an unforgettable drama.
