The Match That Started It All: Serena’s First Grand Slam Win at the 1999 US Open
In the annals of tennis history, some moments are merely wins, and then there are moments that redefine the sport. September 11, 1999, at the US Open, was one such transformative day. A powerful, fearless, and utterly determined 17-year-old named Serena Williams stepped onto the hallowed hard courts of Flushing Meadows, not just to play, but to announce the dawn of an entirely new era.
Serena, then ranked outside the top 10, was a formidable presence, but the Grand Slam stage was still dominated by established stars like Martina Hingis, the then-world No. 1 and her opponent in the final. Many expected Hingis, with her tactical brilliance, to outmaneuver the young American. But Serena had a different script in mind.
From the first serve, Serena’s raw power and athleticism were undeniable. Her serves were rockets, her groundstrokes drilled with an intensity that put Hingis on the defensive. The crowd watched in awe as this teenager, with seemingly no fear, took control of the match. She clinched the first set, and though Hingis battled fiercely in the second, forcing a tie-break, Serena’s resolve never wavered.
When the final point was won, securing a 6-3, 7-6 victory, Serena sank to her knees, a mix of elation and disbelief washing over her. It wasn’t just her first Grand Slam title; it was a groundbreaking moment. She became the first African American woman in the Open Era to win a singles major since Althea Gibson in 1958. This wasn’t just a win for Serena; it was a win for a new generation of tennis, a testament to raw power, athleticism, and unyielding will. The 1999 US Open was indeed “The Match That Started It All,” the beginning of a legend who would reshape tennis forever.
