Arthur Ashe Stadium announcer Andy Taylor recaps Maria Sakkari’s Quarterfinal victory over 2016 US Open Finalist, Karolina Pliskova. In June, at Roland Garros, Maria defeated two top-10 talents to reach her first Grand Slam Semifinal (fell to eventual champion, Barbora Krejcikova 5-7, 6-4, 7-9). Here in New York, she’s done it again – with wins over 2019 Champion Bianca Andreescu and World #4 Pliskova.
Tonight, Maria Sakkari became the first Greek woman ever to reach the US Open Singles Semifinals.
Andy Taylor | The Voice of the US Open
Known as the Voice of the US Open, 2021 marks Taylor’s 20th year shaping the sound of the tennis season’s final Grand Slam. With his individual style and delivery, Andy writes and narrates every 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 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 tennis events including the Olympic Games, Qatar ExxonMobil Open, and Qatar Total Open.
Third meeting, first at a Major. Sakkari’s second victory.
These two had met twice before, on clay in Rome. In 2018, Maria Sakkari earned her first career top-5 victory, defeating PLiskova in the Second Round. A year later, Karolina Pliskova won their Semifinal match, then went on to capture the Rome title.
[17] Maria Sakkari -18- (GRE) | Quarterfinal Announcer Introduction
On Monday night, in a 3-hour 30-minute thriller that ended at 2:15am, she outlasted 2019 US Open Champion Bianca Andreescu. Tonight – under the lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium, on the sport’s biggest stage, she competes in the US Open Quarterfinals for the first time. And Flushing Meadows is a special place for this 26-year-old. It was here, at the 2015 US Open, where she made her Grand Slam main draw debut as a qualifier ranked outside the top-200. Now, 6-years-later, she is one the top-20 talents in the world. A Semifinalist this year at Roland Garros, tonight – she looks to reach the Final-4 of a Major for the second time. From Greece, please welcome Maria Sakkari.
^ At Roland Garros, defeated defending French Open Champion Iga Swiatek in the Quarterfinals
- QF — W — [4] Karolina Pliskova -04- (CZE) | Score: 6-4, 6-4
- R4 — W — [6] Bianca Andreescu -07- (CAN) | Score: 6-7(2), 7-6(6), 6-3 | RECAP / 3:29
- R3 — W — [10] Petra Kvitova -11- (CZE) | Score: 6-4, 6-3 | RECAP / 1:21
- R2 — W — Katerina Siniakova -53- (CZE) | Score: 6-4, 6-2 | GRANDSTAND / 1:15
- R1 — W — Marta Kostyuk -55- (UKR) | Score: 6-4, 6-3 | COURT-10 / 1:31
[4] Karolina Pliskova -04- (CZE) | Quarterfinal Announcer Introduction
At 29-years-old, she owns 16 WTA Singles titles, has been ranked as high as World #1 – and in July, reached her second Grand Slam Singles Final at Wimbledon. Her first Grand Slam Final happened right here – 5-years-ago, under the lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium – where she defeated both Venus Williams and World #1 Serena Williams to reach the championship match. A 3-time Billie Jean King Cup Champion – she spent 8-weeks as the sport’s top-ranked player, and is back in the US Open Quarterfinals for a fourth time. From the Czech Republic, please welcome the #4 player in the World – Karolina Pliskova.
- QF — L — [17] Maria Sakkari -18- (GRE) | Score: 4-6, 4-6
- R4 — W — [14] Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova -15- (RUS) | Score: 7-5, 6-4 | GRANDSTAND / 1:35
- R3 — W — Ajla Tomljanovic -46- (AUS) | Score: 6-3, 6-2 | GRANDSTAND / 1:11
- R2 — W — Amanda Anisimova -75- (USA) | Score: 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(7) | RECAP / 2:21
- R1 — W — [WC] Caty McNally -130- (USA) | Score: 6-3, 6-4 | ARMSTRONG / 1:23
► MORE ANNOUNCER RECAPS FROM THE 2021 US OPEN
US OPEN | Open Era Women’s Singles Champions
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MILESTONE ON THE LINE AT THE 2021 US OPEN
No man has achieved the Calendar Grand Slam (winning all four Major titles in the same year) since the great Rod Laver accomplished the feat for a second time in 1969. World #1 Novak Djokovic intends to rewrite that history by capturing his 4th US Open title.
Now a 20-time Grand Slam Champion – Djokovic is the reigning Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion. He is one of only 3 men to earn the Career Grand Slam twice (Roy Emerson and Rod Laver). In anticipation of Novak’s milestone, all four Grand Slam trophies are in New York for the fortnight.
That said, last month at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Djokovic was poised to become the first player since Steffi Graf (1988) to earn the Calendar Golden Slam (winning all four Major title and Olympic Gold in the same year). In the Olympic Semifinals, Alexander Zverev erased that possibility with an improbable, come-from-behind victory over the World #1. Zverev went on to capture the Gold Medal. Djokovic fell in the Bronze Medal match.
141 YEARS IN THE MAKING: THE 54th 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 2019, over 720-thousand fans passed through the gates of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. That year, Singles champions earned over $3.8-million, while players who fell in the First Round grossed $60-thousand.
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 54-years makes.
COVID-19 AND THE 2021 US OPEN
Last year, the 2020 US Open was the first Major to return after COVID-19 transformed life as we knew it. No fans. Cavernous, empty stadiums. Separate “bubbles” for players and crew. Regular coronavirus testing. Strict social distancing.
Today, thanks to vaccines and those who’ve chosen to receive them, the gates are open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center — with some specific requirements.
QUICK COURSE CORRECTION BEFORE DAY ONE
Originally, in the months leading up to the 2021 US Open, all fans were welcome (vaccinated and unvaccinated), provided each guest followed CDC guidance based on individual vaccination status. However, on the Friday before the start of main-draw play, the New York City Mayor’s office changed course — instead mandating that all Arthur Ashe Stadium ticket holders provide proof of vaccination.
In response, due to continued concern over COVID’s highly-infectious Delta variant, the USTA extended the Mayor’s mandate to every US Open ticket holder — including those with passes to Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Grandstand, and fans with grounds admission tickets. In other words, to enter the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis center, all ticket holders 12-years and older must provide proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Acceptable forms of proof include: CDC Vaccination Card (photo/photocopy accepted), NYC Vaccination Record (photo/photocopy accepted), NYC COVID Safe App, Excelsior Pass, or Excelsior Pass Plus.
That said, unlike events held before vaccines were widely available, there are no temperature checks or health questionnaires to complete before entering the grounds. Additionally, negative COVID tests are not required to get on site. Simply put, each guest must be vaccinated.
COVID’s grip continues, as we navigate an uncertain landscape full of both vaccinated and unvaccinated tennis fans. Responsibly, the USTA is relying on the guidance of the CDC, the New York City Mayor’s Office, and the New York City Department of Health to hopefully ensure a safe and healthy experience for all.
