The US Open has long been a stage for unforgettable moments, but for several champions who lifted their first and only Grand Slam trophy at Flushing Meadows, the journey after glory has often been turbulent. Over the last decade, six players have secured their lone Grand Slam title in New York, yet only two of them are competing in the 2025 edition — Emma Raducanu and Daniil Medvedev.
Emma Raducanu’s Return to Her “Happy Place”
Emma Raducanu’s fairytale 2021 US Open triumph as a teenage qualifier shocked the tennis world. However, her path since then has been far from smooth. The Brit struggled with injuries, frequent coaching changes, and the overwhelming pressures of instant stardom. She even dropped outside the top 250 in 2023. Now ranked No.36, Raducanu has begun to rediscover her spark with semi-final appearances at the Citi Open and a strong showing against world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati. Working with Francisco Roig, formerly part of Rafael Nadal’s team, she hopes to find stability as she returns to New York with renewed confidence.
Daniil Medvedev’s Battle to Stay Among the Elite
Men’s 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev has remained a Slam contender, reaching three finals since his title. Yet 2025 has been his toughest season, as he has failed to win back-to-back matches at Grand Slams. Despite his consistency among the top players, the Russian is striving to recapture the form that once made him the US Open champion.
Dominic Thiem’s Painful Decline
Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open winner, saw his career derailed by injuries and inconsistent form. He struggled to make deep Slam runs after his victory and even dropped down to the Challenger circuit before retiring in 2024.
Bianca Andreescu’s Injury Struggles
Canadian star Bianca Andreescu lifted the 2019 US Open trophy as a teenager but has since faced repeated setbacks with injuries and illness. Her latest heartbreak came in Montreal last month when she left the court in tears with yet another ankle injury. Despite lifestyle changes and intense recovery efforts, her progress has been consistently interrupted.
Sloane Stephens and Flavia Pennetta’s Different Journeys
Sloane Stephens, the 2017 champion, reached another Slam final in 2018 but has struggled in recent years, dropping to a ranking outside the top 900. Burnout and mental health challenges have played a part in her decline. Now, at age 32, she has stepped into broadcasting at the 2025 US Open. Flavia Pennetta, the 2015 champion, shocked the world by retiring immediately after her title win, choosing to leave tennis on a high note.
The US Open’s Unique Legacy of One-Time Champions
The US Open has become a place where underdogs rise and new champions are crowned, yet it also highlights the fragility of success in tennis. For Raducanu, Medvedev, Andreescu, Thiem, Stephens, and Pennetta, the tournament remains both a symbol of triumph and a reminder of the challenges that follow.