There’s something magical about late summer in New York, especially when the US Open swings into its most dramatic stages. This year, the tournament has delivered a double dose of inspiration and emotion, as two stories—one of comeback grit and another of underdog resilience—have captured the hearts of tennis fans around the globe.
Marketa Vondrousova, the Czech tennis star who stunned the world as an unranked Wimbledon champion in 2023, has stormed her way into the US Open quarterfinals. Her journey hasn’t been smooth sailing. In fact, it’s been anything but. After battling through hand and shoulder injuries that required two surgeries, Vondrousova’s return to the upper echelons of tennis has been nothing short of remarkable. On September 1, 2025, after defeating the formidable No. 9 seed Elena Rybakina, Vondrousova couldn’t hold back her emotions. She broke down in tears just feet away from the court, the weight of her comeback finally settling in.
“It’s amazing. It was an amazing match. After everything I’ve been through, it’s amazing to be standing here again,” Vondrousova said, her voice trembling with emotion as she addressed the crowd and media. The moment, raw and unfiltered, resonated with anyone who’s ever faced adversity and fought their way back.
But the road ahead doesn’t get any easier for Vondrousova. Her next opponent? None other than world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The two will clash in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, September 2, 2025—a match that promises fireworks. Sabalenka, known for her power and relentless baseline play, has historically had the upper hand. Vondrousova has lost four of five hard court meetings against the Belarusian and three of their four Grand Slam encounters. Still, if this tournament has taught us anything, it’s not to count out the Czech lefty, especially given her current form and the confidence she’s built by taking down three ranked players in New York, including American hopeful McCartney Kessler and seventh seed Jasmine Paolini.
Vondrousova’s resurgence is even more impressive knowing her recent history. After her Wimbledon triumph, she suffered a shocking first-round exit the following year, becoming the first reigning champion to lose in the opening round since 1994. That heartbreak, coupled with her injury woes, could have spelled the end. Instead, she’s three victories away from a second Grand Slam title and, based on her performance, is poised to vault up the rankings once again.
Her last Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance before her injuries was right here at Flushing Meadows, where she fell to Madison Keys. Keys, in turn, was stopped by Sabalenka in the semifinals. There’s a sense of unfinished business in the air, and Vondrousova is eager to rewrite her story on these hard courts.
While Vondrousova’s journey is a testament to perseverance, another player is reminding fans that fairy tales can happen at any stage of a career. Enter Marcus Willis, the British tennis player whose name first made headlines nine years ago during a Cinderella run at Wimbledon. Back then, Willis won seven matches to earn a shot at Roger Federer on Centre Court, a moment he still recalls with vivid clarity. “I got smoked,” Willis says with a wry smile, reflecting on his encounter with the Swiss legend. “Playing on Centre Court was incredible. Unfortunately you don’t play very many winnable matches on Centre Court.”
Life moved quickly for Willis after his Wimbledon exploits. He settled down, got married, welcomed four children, and even retired from professional tennis, turning to coaching at his local club. But the competitive fire never truly faded. Thanks to the support of a family friend, Willis returned to the doubles circuit in 2022, determined to chase new dreams.
The US Open 2025 has provided Willis with another shot at glory. At 34, he made his senior Grand Slam debut outside of Wimbledon, partnering with Poland’s Karol Drzewiecki. Initially, it seemed they’d miss the doubles draw, but fate intervened—a last-minute withdrawal allowed them to enter. Seizing the opportunity, Willis and Drzewiecki stunned the 16th-seeded Australian duo of Matt Ebden and Jordan Thompson in their opening match.
The magic didn’t stop there. In the second round, Willis and Drzewiecki faced Australia’s John Peers and American Jackson Withrow in a nail-biting contest. Saving three match points in a deciding tie-break, the pair clinched their spot in the third round, leaving Willis in a state of disbelief. “It just shows, if you stick at it, things like this happen,” Willis said, beaming after the win. “It’s magical, it really is. It’s just more evidence for me to stick at it. Because I love being here, it’s new experiences for me the whole time.”
Willis’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges, especially when it comes to fitness. Once nicknamed “Cartman” after being filmed eating a Snickers bar and drinking cola at a Challenger event, Willis weighed over 18 stone at one point. Now, nearly four stone lighter, he’s honest about the ongoing battle: “I’m getting there, I’ve got a few more to lose. It’s difficult. Food around the house, I’m horrendous with it.”
This US Open marks a significant milestone for Willis—his first senior Grand Slam outside Wimbledon. He’s already setting his sights on an Australian Open debut in January 2026, hoping to erase the memory of being sent home from Melbourne as a junior for indiscipline. “That was really tough to take,” he admits. “I was really excited to play and that hit me hard actually. I’d love to play there. Just to write that off. So that’s a goal, but I very much take things 24 hours at a time. What will be, will be. I’ve got a great life, a great career.”
As the US Open charges into its decisive week, both Vondrousova and Willis embody the spirit of perseverance and possibility. Whether it’s the emotional comeback of a Grand Slam champion or the improbable run of a beloved underdog, these stories remind us why we watch sports in the first place. With Vondrousova set to face her toughest opponent yet and Willis continuing his doubles adventure, the action at Flushing Meadows is far from over. Tennis fans everywhere will be watching closely—because if this tournament has proven anything, it’s that anything can happen in New York.
