Leandro Riedi’s journey at the 2025 US Open has become one of the tournament’s most unexpected and inspiring stories, and on August 31, the Swiss qualifier’s run continued in dramatic, bittersweet fashion. Riedi advanced to the round of 16 after his third-round opponent, Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak, was forced to retire with a torn rib muscle while trailing 5-3. It’s a result that left the Arthur Ashe crowd with mixed emotions—no one likes to see a match end this way, especially not Riedi, who knows all too well the agony of injury setbacks.
For Riedi, this moment is the reward for a year marked by perseverance, resilience, and a hefty dose of suffering. Just one year ago, in a cruel twist of fate, Riedi himself had to retire from US Open qualifying against fellow Swiss player Jérôme Kym after a devastating knee injury required surgery and led to an eight-month break from the sport. At the time, Riedi was on the cusp of breaking into the world’s top 100. Fast forward to today, and he’s ranked number 435, but his spirit and determination have only grown stronger.
“While I wasn’t able to play tennis, I had a lot of time to work on my physique,” Riedi told Keystone-SDA after his first-round victory, flashing a smile that belied the hardships he’s endured. That hard work paid off in spectacular fashion during his second-round match, where he clawed back from a two-set deficit to stun the 19th seed, Francisco Cerundolo. The grueling five-set win left Riedi physically battered, but it also proved he had the mettle to compete with the world’s best.
Against Majchrzak, both players entered the court clearly feeling the toll of their previous marathon matches. From the opening rally, it was obvious neither was at full strength. “I had my problems, but I realized that his were even bigger,” Riedi admitted to Swiss broadcaster SRF. “Now you have to grit your teeth,” he told himself. That determination proved decisive, as Majchrzak—his face twisted in pain—was forced to retire, later revealing on Instagram that he’d suffered a torn rib muscle.
“Of course you don’t want to win like that,” Riedi said, expressing sympathy for his opponent. Yet, for the 23-year-old from Zurich, reaching the second week of a Grand Slam is a dream come true, especially given his own recent history with injury. Riedi’s story is further intertwined with compatriot Jérôme Kym, who is also enjoying a breakthrough at this year’s US Open after his own battles with injury. “If you work hard and stay positive, you can come back stronger,” Riedi reflected, a sentiment that resonates for both Swiss hopefuls.
The US Open has been plagued by injuries this year—no fewer than four of the sixteen third-round matches ended with a retirement. Perhaps it’s fitting, then, that Riedi, so often unlucky with his health, finally caught a break. As he put it, he was “lucky with injuries” for once, and few would argue that he doesn’t deserve this stroke of fortune.
Riedi’s reward for his perseverance is a fourth-round clash against world number 8 Alex de Minaur on September 1. The matchup promises fireworks, as both players advanced under similar circumstances. De Minaur’s path to the round of 16 was also marked by an opponent’s retirement: Germany’s Daniel Altmaier, hampered by a thigh injury after two grueling five-set wins earlier in the tournament, was forced to quit while trailing 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 2-0.
“Look, I’ve got nothing but the most respect for Daniel,” de Minaur said in his post-match interview. “He’s a hell of a warrior, hell of a competitor. I mean the guy spent almost 10 hours on court and then was ready for a battle today, so all credit to him and I wish him a very quick recovery.” De Minaur, the eighth seed and fresh off his 10th ATP singles title in Washington DC this July, will be the heavy favorite against Riedi, but he’s not taking anything for granted. Speaking to Stan Sport, de Minaur described his next opponent as “very dangerous” and possessing “a lot of firepower.”
If there’s any question about Riedi’s readiness for the challenge, the Swiss has already answered it. Despite a sore left leg from six matches in New York, he’s adamant about stepping onto the court. “I’ll definitely be on the court,” he assured reporters. “It’s a slam, they’d have to take me to hospital for me to give up.” With two days to recover and the biggest prize money check of his career—$400,000 before tax—already secured, Riedi has nothing to lose and everything to gain.
For de Minaur, the US Open isn’t just about tennis. During his on-court interview, the Australian charmed fans with a rare glimpse into his personal life, speaking about his engagement to fellow tennis player Katie Boulter. “I mean, I’m the lucky one,” de Minaur said with a grin. “Even though I give her a little bit of stick here and there, I’m extremely lucky to have her. We’ve got each other, we have each other’s back. It’s amazing to have—I don’t want to sound too cliché—but a soul mate, so I’m happy to keep it going and yeah, happy wife, happy life.” The crowd’s response was electric, proving that de Minaur’s popularity is soaring both on and off the court.
Elsewhere at Flushing Meadows, Day 7 of the US Open brought its share of upsets and standout performances. Alexander Zverev, the third seed, was knocked out by Felix Auger-Aliassime in a major shock, while American Tommy Paul fell to Alexander Bublik. On the women’s side, Iga Świątek advanced despite a shaky performance, and Naomi Osaka reached the second week of a Slam for the first time since 2021, setting up a blockbuster clash with Coco Gauff.
But it’s the Riedi-de Minaur matchup that has fans buzzing. The two have never met on tour, and their paths to the fourth round—paved by grit, injury, and a bit of luck—set the stage for an unpredictable showdown. Can Riedi’s fairytale run continue, or will de Minaur’s experience and firepower prove too much for the Swiss underdog?
One thing’s certain: as the US Open heads into its second week, all eyes will be on this intriguing clash. Riedi’s resilience and de Minaur’s steady rise embody the spirit of the tournament—a blend of heartbreak, hope, and the relentless pursuit of glory. With both players well rested after shortened third-round matches, Monday’s battle promises to be a highlight in a US Open already filled with surprises and drama.
As the action resumes, anticipation is sky-high. Whether it’s the rise of a new Swiss star or the continued ascent of an Aussie favorite, tennis fans are in for a treat at Flushing Meadows.
