QUARTER CENTURY IN ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM | Andy Taylor “Voice of the US Open“
Known as the Voice of the US Open, 2026 marks announcer Andy Taylor’s 25th year shaping the sound of the tennis season’s final Grand Slam. Today, he shares the booth with fellow presenters Michelle Yu and Blair Henley, who in 2023 became the first featured female voice on tennis’ biggest stage.
With his individual style and delivery, Andy writes and narrates each player’s introduction, highlighting their career accomplishments, providing context for fans before each match. As a voice talent, he also narrates video content and special announcements broadcast across the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. For over twenty years, his distinctive sound and energy has helped drive and enhance the fan experience — Informing. Entertaining. Celebrating the sport and its colorful cast of characters.
In addition to his long-standing role in New York, Taylor also emcees other global events including the Olympic Games, Qatar ExxonMobil Open, Qatar Total Open, PSA Men’s World Championship, Qatar Classic Squash Championship, Ooredoo Qatar Major and World Padel Championship.
US OPEN | OPEN ERA WOMEN’S SINGLES CHAMPIONS
CELEBRATING OUR NEW YORK STORY, 2026 US OPEN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
It’s always been more than the season’s final Grand Slam. Since the Open Era’s dawn, the US Open has annually extolled the enormity, attitude, diversity and determination of the “city that never sleeps.” Autumn’s annual harbinger — the US Open boastfully broadcasts to the world the deafening pulse of New York’s unapologetic fervor, patched together by the hopes, values and dreams of countless cultures who push it forward. Always forward.
In a year the city swore-in its first Muslim American mayor, and the Knicks lifted the NBA Championship trophy for the first time in 53 years — the 2026 US OPEN dedicates its fortnight to the celebration of our New York story. Nicole Kankam, Managing Director, Pro Tennis Marketing and Entertainment, USTA: “Celebrating our New York Story pays homage to everything and everybody that has built the unbreakable bond between the US Open and New York City, and the 2026 US Open will bring all of that to life.”
SINGLES CHAMPIONS. 2026 US OPEN
Injured in Cincinnati … once again, ELENA RYBAKINA arrived in New York with low expectations. The reigning Australian Open champion — historically, the Open had been her worst Major (she reached week-2 for the first time last year). None of that mattered. In the Round of 16, she took out 2-time champ Naomi Osaka — secured the World #1 ranking with her Quarterfinal triumph over Olympic Gold Medalist Qinwen Zheng — then came back from a set down in both the Semi’s and Final, knocking out former champions Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, ultimately capturing her third Grand Slam title.
Meanwhile, in his first Grand Slam appearance as the top-seed, 2020 finalist ALEXANDER ZVEREV hoisted his second Major trophy, defeating fan favorite Ben Shelton in the Final. Zverev struggled during week-1 — earning two grueling, 5-set, late night triumphs to get through Lorenzo Sonego and Quentin Halys. Those matches set the tone for a series of crazy, early morning finishes throughout the tournament. But by Round-3, the reigning Roland Garros champion found his rhythm, dropping only a single set the rest of the way.
DOUBLES CHAMPIONS. 2026 US OPEN
In Doubles, not only did TAYLOR TOWNSEND finally capture her first US Open title — she achieved the Career Grand Slam. It was Taylor’s third US Open Doubles Final and fourth US Open Final overall. (She also reached the 2024 Mixed Doubles Final alongside Donald Young). In the meantime, Taylor’s partner KATERINA SINIAKOVA — who achieved the Career Golden Slam with her 2022 US Open triumph — secured her second Career Grand Slam, capturing her 12th Grand Slam Doubles title.
On the men’s side, reigning Australian Open champions CHRISTIAN HARRISON and NEAL SKUPSKI plowed through the draw. They became only the third team in tournament history to capture the US Open title without dropping a set. With the victory, they qualified for the ATP Finals and will compete in the year-end championship in their debut season together. Now a 3-time Grand Slam Doubles Champion and 2-time Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Champion, the Final marked Skupski’s third US Open Final (with 3 different partners), and his first New York triumph.
MIXED DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP. 2026 US OPEN
The million dollar, sold-out US Open Mixed Doubles Championship returned to Fan Week in 2026 — featuring high-profile tandems like Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic — Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz — and power couple Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils. With only a 16-team draw . . . this year, two additional rounds of qualifying gave the game’s greatest doubles talents a seat at the table. However, unlike last year’s statement triumph from Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori — it was singles talents KAROLINA MUCHOVA and JAKUB MENSIK who earned the 2026 title.
146 YEARS IN THE MAKING: 59th US OPEN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The US Open, as we know it today, began in 1881. Four years after the first Wimbledon Championships, members of the Newport Casino in Rhode Island established the U.S. National Singles Championship. Popularity of the sport exploded during the following eight decades. And by 1968, the Open Era began, finally allowing professionals to compete alongside amateurs. Ever since, the sports four Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open – cemented their status as the premiere events in professional tennis. Today, these Major trophies and titles are the pinnacle of career achievement.
GRAND SLAM TENNIS TOURNAMENTS – A LONG AND STORIED HISTORY
First, a quick timeline reflecting the roots of the Grand Slam:
- 1877 – The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club organized the first Wimbledon Championship.
- 1881 – Members of the Newport Casino in Rhode Island (now home of the International Tennis Hall of Fame) created the first U.S. National Singles Championship.
- 1891 – France joined the party. Though the tournament itself was not recognized as a Grand Slam until international participation was allowed in 1925.
- 1905 – Australia’s Major began as the Australasian Championships, earning Grand Slam status by 1924.
THE OPEN ERA BUILDS GRAND SLAM PRESTIGE
For decades, the Grand Slams only showcased amateur competition, the U.S. National Championship included. Prize money was paltry. Professional talents earned a living through traveling tours, rather than tournaments like Grand Slams. Essentially, two or more professionals would travel together from city to city. Competing night after night. Earning money through ticket sales.
Then in 1968, the Open Era began – allowing both amateur and professional athletes in a tournament format. That year, France hosted the first Open, followed by England and the United States. Brisbane hosted Australia’s Open debut the following January. With the sport’s top global talents all converging on the same four annual tournaments, the Grand Slams put themselves in position to grow alongside the popularity of the game.
Today, the US Open is the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world. In 2025 . . . 1,144,562 fans passed through the gates of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Singles champions earned $5-million, while players who fell in the First Round grossed $110,000.
To put that in perspective: In 1968, the inaugural US Open committed $14,000 for the Men’s Singles Champion. When Arthur Ashe won – because he was an amateur – he turned down the prize money. Instead, the legendary humanitarian settled for a $20 per diem. What a difference 58-years makes.
WHO THE HELL IS ANDY TAYLOR?
Hey, I’m Andy Taylor – a voice artist, announcer and emcee who’s been fortunate enough to travel the world using my voice to add character to global events, media and more.
This unusual freelance world of voice over has found me introducing fighters for the ancient art of Lethwei in Myanmar — the Olympic Games in Athens, Rio and Tokyo — I’ve even been hired by attorneys to provide a voice in court for their deceased clients. Most in tennis know me as the Voice of the US Open.
To learn more about my voice over and announcing work, I encourage you to browse the site using the menus above. And be sure to check out my most recent work through the WHAT’S NEW link.
Sincerely, thanks for visiting.
