Osaka captures 3rd Major and 2nd US Open title | Thiem earns his debut Grand Slam Singles title
2020 US Open. Osaka claims third Major. Thiem captures his first
Stadium Announcer Andy Taylor returned to New York in August 2020 to narrate the action inside Arthur Ashe Stadium — his 19th consecutive year as the Voice of the US Open. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was held without fans, and was the sport’s first Grand Slam tournament after a 5-month pause on the season. Athletes, presenters and staff observed strict health and safety protocols to limit exposure and curb the spread of the virus.
The sport’s return also came during a period of extreme social unrest in the United States. Naomi Osaka captured her third Major and second US Open title while intently raising awareness of American racial injustice. Before all seven victories, Osaka entered Arthur Ashe Stadium wearing cloth face masks emblazoned with the names of people of color who were victims of police brutality.
Meanwhile, Dominic Thiem finally captured his first Grand Slam Singles title. In his fourth Major Final, the Austrian came back from a 2-set deficit to defeat Alexander Zverev in a deciding-set tiebreak. It was the first US Open Final decided in a 5th set tiebreak – and Thiem became the first player in the Open Era to rally from two sets down in the US Open championship match.
Notably, earlier in the week, 3-time champion Novak Djokovic was defaulted in the Round of 16 when he accidentally hit a linesperson after striking a ball in frustration. Defending champion Rafael Nadal chose not to travel to New York due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, while 5-time champ Roger Federer remained sidelined following knee surgery.
In Doubles, Vera Zvonareva and Laura Siegemund captured their first title together. It was Vera’s 6th Major title and second US Open Doubles title. In 2006, Vera captured the US Open Doubles title with partner Nathalie Dechy. She was also a Singles Finalist in 2010. Now a two-time Major Champion, 4-years-ago Laura Siegemund teamed with Mate Pavic to capture the 2016 US Open Mixed Doubles title.
Unfortunately, due to scheduling challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic, organizers cancelled the Mixed Doubles event in 2020. But on the men’s side, Bruno Soares and Mate Pavic teamed to win their first Major together. It was Bruno’s second US Open Doubles title (2016 with Jamie Murray) and 6th Grand Slam title overall. The victory was Mate’s 4th Major title since capturing his first in 2016 alongside Mixed Doubles partner Laura Siegemund.
Recaps of all 48 matches played in Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2020 US Open Tennis Championships
