US Open marks 25th anniversary of 9/11 as players recall shattered sense of security
The US Open will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, with Arthur Ashe Stadium glowing light blue and flags at half-mast. Former player James Blake, who was in Georgia at the time, recalls the panic and how it affected his sense of safety and travel. The article reflects on how the attacks impacted the tennis community.
The 2001 US Open had concluded just two days before the attacks, with Lleyton Hewitt claiming the men's title. Blake, who lost in the second round that year, was undergoing a sweat test in Augusta after struggling with cramp during the tournament. His father remained in New York, and with phone networks overwhelmed, Blake faced an anxious wait to confirm his father's safety.
With planes grounded, Blake drove a rental car from Augusta to his Florida home. His next flight—to Hong Kong two weeks later—felt deeply unsettling. The Ryder Cup at The Belfry was postponed a year. Blake credited sport's return, including President Bush's first pitch at Yankee Stadium, with helping the nation recover.
This commemoration may resonate beyond tennis fans, as 9/11 remains a defining national trauma. For New Yorkers and those who lost loved ones, the ceremony at Arthur Ashe Stadium could offer a moment of collective remembrance. The players' reflections, particularly Blake's account of shattered security, may help younger generations understand how the attacks reshaped everyday life, travel, and the sense of safety Americans once took for granted. The event could also serve as a reminder of sport's role in communal healing.