The 2023 US Open concluded with historic victories as Novak Djokovic secured his record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title and Coco Gauff claimed her first major championship. Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, while Gauff staged a thrilling three-set comeback against Aryna Sabalenka to delight the home crowd in New York.
The 2023 US Open remains a landmark event in professional tennis history, serving as a bridge between the "Big Three" era and the emergence of a new generation of American superstars. Held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center from August 28 to September 10, the tournament offered a total prize pool of $65 million, marking the 50th anniversary of equal prize money for men and women at the event. For fans looking back at these results from our current 2026 vantage point, the 2023 tournament stands out as the moment Novak Djokovic solidified his statistical claim as the greatest of all time and Coco Gauff transitioned from a teenage prodigy to a Grand Slam champion.
Men’s Singles Results: Novak Djokovic’s Pursuit of History
The men’s draw was dominated by the narrative of Novak Djokovic’s return to the United States after missing the previous year's tournament due to travel restrictions. Seeded second, Djokovic moved through the draw with his characteristic clinical efficiency, though he faced a significant scare in the third round against fellow Serbian Laslo Djere. Djokovic dropped the first two sets before rallying to win 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3, a match that many analysts believe was the turning point for his championship run.
In the final, Djokovic faced the No. 3 seed Daniil Medvedev, the man who had denied him the Calendar Grand Slam in the same stadium two years prior. The match was a tactical chess game played from the baseline. Djokovic took the first set 6-3, but the second set became an instant classic, lasting 104 minutes. Medvedev pushed Djokovic to his physical limits, forcing a tiebreak that Djokovic eventually won 7-6(5). The physical toll on Medvedev was evident in the third set, which Djokovic took 6-3 to secure his fourth US Open title and 24th career Grand Slam, surpassing Serena Williams for the most major titles in the Open Era.
Key Men’s Highlights and Upsets
While the final was the centerpiece, the earlier rounds provided significant drama. Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion and No. 1 seed, looked nearly invincible until the semifinals. He was ultimately outplayed by an inspired Daniil Medvedev, who used his deep court positioning to neutralize Alcaraz’s aggressive net rushing and drop shots.
Another highlight was the rise of American Ben Shelton. The 20-year-old left-hander reached the semifinals, captivating the audience with a serve that consistently clocked over 140 mph. His quarterfinal victory over Frances Tiafoe was a high-octane display of modern power tennis, though he eventually fell to Djokovic in a straight-sets semifinal that became famous for Djokovic "mimicking" Shelton's "hang up the phone" celebration.
Women’s Singles Results: The Coronation of Coco Gauff
The women’s tournament was defined by the immense pressure placed on 19-year-old Coco Gauff. After a disappointing first-round exit at Wimbledon earlier that summer, Gauff overhauled her coaching team, adding Brad Gilbert. This change led to a summer hard-court tear that culminated in New York. Gauff’s path was not easy; she had to navigate difficult matches against veterans like Elise Mertens and the resurgent Caroline Wozniacki.
The final saw Gauff face the incoming world No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka. For the first set, Sabalenka’s sheer power overwhelmed Gauff, with the Belarusian taking the set 6-2. However, Gauff’s elite defensive skills and physical conditioning allowed her to extend rallies, eventually forcing Sabalenka into a series of unforced errors. Gauff won the second set 6-3 and cruised through the third 6-2. The victory made her the first American teenager to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999.
Significant Women’s Matches
Beyond the final, the 2023 US Open saw several notable performances:
- Karolina Muchova: Reached the semifinals with a variety-heavy game that disrupted top opponents, proving her run to the French Open final earlier in the year was no fluke.
- Iga Swiatek: The defending champion and world No. 1 entered as the favorite but was ousted in the fourth round by her "kryptonite," Jelena Ostapenko. This loss resulted in Swiatek losing the No. 1 ranking to Sabalenka.
- Sorana Cirstea: The veteran reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal in 14 years, defeating Elena Rybakina and Belinda Bencic along the way.
Doubles and Mixed Doubles Champions
While singles often command the spotlight, the 2023 doubles competitions featured high-level technical play and historic streaks.
In Men’s Doubles, the team of Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury made history by becoming the first team in the Open Era to win three consecutive US Open titles. They defeated Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden in a tightly contested final. Bopanna, at 43 years old, became the oldest man to reach a Grand Slam doubles final.
In Women’s Doubles, Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe claimed their first Grand Slam title as a team. They defeated the formidable pairing of Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva. The victory was particularly significant for Routliffe, who became the first New Zealander to win a Grand Slam title of any kind since 1979.
The Mixed Doubles title went to Anna Danilina and Harri Heliövaara, who defeated the American pair Jessica Pegula and Austin Krajicek. This was a "fairytale" win, as Danilina and Heliövaara had only decided to play together at the sign-in desk just before the deadline.
2023 US Open Statistical Summary: Quarterfinals to Finals
The following table outlines the results of the final stages of the 2023 US Open across the Men's and Women's singles draws.
| Round | Men's Matchup | Score | Women's Matchup | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinal | Djokovic d. Fritz | 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 | Gauff d. Ostapenko | 6-0, 6-2 |
| Quarterfinal | Shelton d. Tiafoe | 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 | Muchova d. Cirstea | 6-0, 6-3 |
| Quarterfinal | Alcaraz d. Zverev | 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 | Sabalenka d. Zheng | 6-1, 6-4 |
| Quarterfinal | Medvedev d. Rublev | 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 | Keys d. Vondrousova | 6-1, 6-4 |
| Semifinal | Djokovic d. Shelton | 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(4) | Gauff d. Muchova | 6-4, 7-5 |
| Semifinal | Medvedev d. Alcaraz | 7-6(3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 | Sabalenka d. Keys | 0-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(5) |
| Final | Djokovic d. Medvedev | 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 | Gauff d. Sabalenka | 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 |
Technical Analysis of the 2023 Conditions
The 2023 US Open was played on Laykold DecoTurf courts, which are known for their consistent medium-fast speed. However, several players noted that the humidity in New York during the 2023 fortnight was particularly grueling. Matches played under the closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium often became "pressure cookers," where humidity levels rose significantly, impacting player endurance and ball speed.
A technical change implemented in 2023 involved the balls. For the first time, both the Men’s and Women’s draws used the same Wilson Extra Duty felt balls. Historically, the women had used a regular duty ball that was lighter and faster. The shift to the "Extra Duty" ball for the women was a response to player requests for more control and consistency, though some players noted it made it harder to hit winners on the relatively slow night-session courts.
Attendance and Economic Impact
The 2023 edition set an all-time attendance record for the US Open. Over the course of the two-week main draw, more than 799,000 fans passed through the gates of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Including the "Fan Week" preceding the tournament, total attendance exceeded 950,000.
This surge in attendance reflected the growing popularity of the sport in North America, fueled by the "Netflix effect" of the documentary series Break Point and the rise of a deep field of American contenders. The tournament generated significant revenue for the USTA, allowing for the continued increase in prize money which reached $3 million each for the singles champions in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2023 US Open Men's and Women's singles?
Novak Djokovic won the Men’s Singles title, defeating Daniil Medvedev. Coco Gauff won the Women’s Singles title, defeating Aryna Sabalenka. This was Djokovic’s 24th major and Gauff’s first.
What was the prize money for the 2023 US Open winners?
Both the Men’s and Women’s singles champions received $3,000,000. The runners-up each received $1,500,000. The total prize money for the entire tournament was $65 million, a record at the time.
How many Grand Slams did Novak Djokovic have after the 2023 US Open?
Following his victory in New York, Novak Djokovic reached 24 Grand Slam titles. This moved him past Serena Williams (23) for the most in the Open Era and tied him with Margaret Court for the most all-time in tennis history.
Did any American players reach the semifinals in 2023?
Yes, 2023 was a banner year for American tennis. On the men's side, Ben Shelton reached the semifinals. On the women's side, both Coco Gauff and Madison Keys reached the semifinals, with Gauff eventually winning the title.
What happened to Carlos Alcaraz at the 2023 US Open?
Carlos Alcaraz entered the tournament as the defending champion and the top seed. He reached the semifinals without dropping many sets but was defeated by the third seed, Daniil Medvedev, in a high-quality four-set match.
Looking Back from 2026
From our perspective in 2026, the 2023 US Open was the "Great Pivot." It was the final time we saw Novak Djokovic at the absolute peak of his dominance before the younger cohort, led by Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz, began to consistently challenge his supremacy in 2024 and 2025. For Coco Gauff, 2023 was the foundation of her current status as a multi-slam champion and a global sporting icon.
If you are researching historical match data or specific set scores for betting analysis or sports journalism, the official US Open Archive provides the most comprehensive point-by-point data. For fans interested in the tactical evolution of the game, reviewing the 2023 highlights remains essential for understanding how defensive baseline play began to incorporate more aggressive "all-court" transitions in the mid-2020s.