From Coco’s gamble to Kvitova’s goodbye – The words that define the US Open after first week

The first round of the US Open is never short of emotion. For some, it is the return to the big stage after months of absence. For others, it marks the beginning of a farewell to a sport that has defined their lives. From veterans to rising stars, the opening days in New York were filled with stories of gratitude, nerves, excitement, and relief.

Venus Williams set the tone with her trademark candour, speaking about how she draws strength from the crowd. Despite setbacks, she felt embraced: “I don’t think I’ve ever had a crowd that much on my side. Every point, they were just right there with me.” At 45, the 7-time Grand Slam champion remains thankful for the opportunity: “I wasn’t lucky with my health and with injuries, but there were a lot of people who believed in me. I’m happiest when I can just hit hard.” For Venus, the stage is as much about joy as it is about results.

On the other side of the spectrum, young players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz reflected on how their perspectives have matured. Sinner noted the shift from youthful spontaneity to tactical awareness: “Three years back it was just going on court and hitting. Now we have to prepare tactically, emotionally and mentally.” Alcaraz, meanwhile, insisted that he was not burdened by the chase for the No.1 ranking: “I’m trying not to think about that. I just want to go as far as I can, play my best tennis, and see how it goes.”

Between legends holding on and young stars finding their way, the tournament is already a showcase of transition. And nowhere is this more evident than in the emotional farewells of players closing chapters of their careers.

American energy in New York

If there was one theme echoed repeatedly, it was the unique energy Americans feel at their home Slam. Ben Shelton captured this perfectly: “This is the biggest stage for us, and we always seem to play our best. There are a lot of guys who are really hungry here. It’s just a matter of time.”

Coco Gauff, one of the players expected to carry that spotlight forward, was candid about her new approach. After bringing coach Gavin MacMillan onto her team, she admitted that it was a quick decision: “If I could have worked with Gavin earlier I would have, but he was on the team of another player. Then he magically became available, and I knew I had to make a quick decision.”

She acknowledged that the immediate results might not be visible, particularly in her serve: “I knew when I did this I was not gonna maybe serve the best, but I didn’t want to waste any more time. Hopefully this time next year I’ll be serving much better.” For Coco, the first round wasn’t just about advancing—it was about laying foundations for the future.

Novak Djokovic, after facing a young American under the lights, acknowledged the intensity of that stage: “Quite a bit of tension on the court… but in the important moments I just put one ball more in the court. It was good to break the ice.” For both homegrown players and seasoned champions, Arthur Ashe remains the cauldron where reputations are forged.

Closing chapters: Kvitova and Garcia step away

Among the biggest stories of the first round were the retirements of Petra Kvitová and Caroline Garcia. For both women, New York became the stage to say goodbye.

Garcia, who reached the top 4 in the world and won the WTA Finals in 2022, spoke with serenity about her decision: “It was a great run. I did a great thing on court and went as far as I could. Obviously you can always dream of more, but I’m at peace with my decision to move forward with my life and close the chapter of being a tennis player.”

Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion and long-time fixture in the top 10, reflected on the weight she carried throughout her career: “It was a long journey to get to the top 100 and then stay in the top 10 for so many years. Being a Grand Slam champion was great pressure to have, but also a lot of pressure overall. Still, I enjoyed it and I think I did quite well.” For her, stepping away was less about achievements and more about freedom: “Getting back on court was about giving myself a chance to play healthy. When you play unhealthy, it’s in your mind too. So it was nice to be freer.”

Their departures highlight a generational shift. Two champions who defined an era leave behind a women’s game in flux, with new names already eager to seize the spotlight.

Battling nerves and finding relief

The first round also revealed the mental battles players endure. Emma Raducanu admitted she was “very pleased” to get through after dealing with nerves and the pressure of desperately wanting to win. Renata Zarazúa echoed that sentiment, calling the moments before stepping on court “probably the worst.”

Others, like Alex Eala, embraced the joy of simply being there: “I’m super over the moon with what I was able to do today, especially coming back in the third. Everything just made it so special.” The raw honesty of these voices shows how the US Open, even in round one, can feel like the highest summit of a career.