US Open 2021 – From Rogers euphoria to boos for Tsitsipas “The biggest star of this US Open is the public”

One moment among so many others. Sunday September 5, 3rd round of the women’s draw, American Shelby Rogers challenges world number one Ashleigh Barty. Led 5-2 in the deciding set, Rogers clings to each point to catch up. Here we are at 5-4, 30-A; the Australian serves and attempts a climb to the net. The reply: a “moon ball”, almost a false lob, which catches the line. The following ? An uncontrolled eruption of joy from the Arthur-Ashe court and a momentum that instantly changes. The American breaks and ends up winning the game in an electric tie-break where the public, won over to the cause of its champion, will have a role at least as important as the players themselves.

“I have the impression that it was you who chose the one you wanted to see win, explained Rogers in the wake, addressing the crowd in delirium. So thank you for choosing me tonight. Guys, you are in control of this tournament“. That evening, Rogers’ nationality obviously counted in this unwavering support. But it was also his status in this match, underdog at the foot of the wall in a decisive round, which decided the evening spectators to stand. put behind it.

“Honestly, the fans are probably the reason I won tonight, she explained after the fact at a press conference. My tactics were good, sure, but they gave me that little something that I probably couldn’t have brought myself. […] I’m grateful to them that I couldn’t hear my breathing as loud as last year in an empty stadium. My God, that was amazing. I got chills on the court“.

“Rollercoaster” of emotions

Here, we shape destinies, reputations. Here, we play the role of particle accelerator, as evidenced by the birth certificate of Carlos Alcaraz who has never ceased to remind people of the importance of the crowd in his recent exploits. Here, we bring out the best (or the worst) of the players. Here, it’s an emotional lift, an emotional “rollercoaster”, from which no one comes out unscathed.

“I feel like when I play here it’s more than just a tennis match, a simple win or lose match, detailed in particular Frances Tiafoe despite her failure in the round of 16. Frankly, it completely upsets me, I almost cried when I left the court. Not only because I had lost but especially for the wave of support, of love that I received. Losing a match is frankly ridiculous compared to what we can receive […] In the third set, as I bounce my ball before serving, I hear four kids saying to me ‘whatever happens, you are my inspiration.’ What is this madness ?“.

Flushing, that’s it: a happy mess where everyone speaks out loud, where some even move during points and where the scent of grease mingles with the heat of the crowd. But when the gladiators manage to capture the attention of the audience, especially on the Arthur-Ashe court, the largest in the world, then it is a tidal wave that sweeps everything in its path and does not no match on the circuit.

Even Novak Djokovic, who has yet seen others, recognized an atmosphere on Tuesday “phenomenal“and admitted a certain relief to find this kind of emotion again after almost a year and a half under the hood.”We are frankly privileged to have this attention and this support. […] I think people lacked action, entertainment by being under duress for over a year“. So, inevitably, the reunion is noisy, warm, rowdy and sometimes electric. And it is ultimately the level of play that suffers.

Exceptional Grand Slam: what if it was the public?

In recent days, a discussion of enthusiasts has opened: where to locate this completely crazy US Open in the hierarchy of recent Majors? “I think this is the best Grand Slam tournament so far that I can remember for many, many years“, also estimated our consultant Alex Corretja Sunday. Homeric fights in five sets, revelations in all directions and a frankly incredible technical level: yes, this edition is five stars.