3 Indians who won the US Open title ft. Sania Mirza
The US Open 2024 kicks off on August 26 with four Indian players set to make their mark. Sumit Nagal, the sole Indian representative in the men’s singles draw, is on the verge of creating history.
By participating in his fourth Grand Slam event this year, Nagal becomes the first Indian male player to achieve this feat in a singles event since 2019. Ranked 73rd in the ATP rankings, Nagal will face Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands, ranked 40th, in the opening round.
In men’s doubles, Rohan Bopanna, Yuki Bhambri, and N. Sriram Balaji will represent India, each partnering with different players. That being said, let us take a look at three Indians who won the US Open.
Leander Paes
Leander Paes is a name synonymous with Indian tennis success on the global stage. His remarkable achievements at the US Open have cemented his legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.
Paes first tasted victory at the US Open in 2006 when he won the men’s doubles title with Czech partner Martin Damm. Their victory over Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi in a three-set thriller showcased Paes' exceptional skill and resilience. He also won the mixed doubles title in 2008 with Cara Black and another men’s doubles title in 2009 with Lukas Dlouhy.
Paes' dominance extended to 2013 when he captured the men’s doubles title once again with Radek Stepanek. His last win at the Grand Slam came in 2015 when he won the mixed doubles title alongside Martina Hingis, completing a spectacular career at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Mahesh Bhupathi
Mahesh Bhupathi’s contributions to Indian tennis are unparalleled. He became the first Indian to win a title at the US Open in 1999 when he clinched the mixed doubles crown with Japan’s Ai Sugiyama.
This victory not only broke new ground for Indian tennis but also inspired a generation of players to dream big. Bhupathi continued his success by winning the men’s doubles title in 2002 with Belarusian Max Mirnyi. He added another title to his collection in 2005, winning the mixed doubles with Slovakian star Daniela Hantuchova.
Sania Mirza
Sania Mirza’s impact on Indian tennis, particularly at the US Open, is profound. Mirza won her first title at the New York Major in 2014 in the mixed doubles category with Brazilian Bruno Soares. In the final, they overcame a challenging match against Abigail Spears and Santiago Gonzalez to win the elusive title.
The following year, she continued her success by winning the women’s doubles title with Swiss legend Martina Hingis.