139th US Open 2019 Highlights: A Definitive Review of the Tournament

The 139th US Open in 2019 remains one of the most statistically significant and narratively compelling editions in the history of the championships. Held from August 26 to September 8, 2019, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, it featured Rafael Nadal’s grueling five-set victory over Daniil Medvedev and Bianca Andreescu’s historic triumph over Serena Williams.

The 2019 tournament marked the 139th edition of the United States’ premier tennis championship, a lineage that traces back to the inaugural 1881 U.S. National Championship. As we reflect on these events from our current perspective in 2026, the 2019 US Open is frequently cited by analysts as a "bridge tournament"—the moment where the established "Big Three" dominance in the men’s game faced its most aggressive challenge from the "Next Gen," and the women’s game saw the definitive arrival of a new teenage powerhouse.

Men’s Singles: Rafael Nadal’s 19th Grand Slam Title

The men’s draw in 2019 was defined by a collision between veteran resilience and youthful defiance. Rafael Nadal entered the tournament as the second seed, seeking to close the gap on Roger Federer’s then-record of 20 Grand Slam titles. Nadal’s path to the final was characterized by efficiency, but the final itself became an instant classic, lasting four hours and 50 minutes.

The Epic Final: Nadal vs. Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev, the fifth seed, arrived at the final as the "villain" of Flushing Meadows after several on-court incidents and sarcastic post-match interviews that drew boos from the New York crowd. However, his play was undeniable. After falling behind by two sets and a break in the third, Medvedev shifted his tactics, using low-trajectory flat shots and unexpected serve-and-volley forays to disrupt Nadal’s rhythm.

Nadal eventually secured a 7–5, 6–3, 5–7, 4–6, 6–4 victory. The match was a masterclass in tactical adjustments. Nadal’s ability to maintain his physical intensity despite the late-match surge from Medvedev showcased the defensive prowess that defined his career. For Medvedev, this match served as his arrival on the world stage, proving he could compete with the greatest of all time over five sets.

The Fall of the Favourites

While Nadal reigned supreme, other titans faltered. Novak Djokovic, the defending champion and top seed, was forced to retire in the fourth round against Stan Wawrinka due to a persistent shoulder injury. This exit opened the top half of the draw and fundamentally shifted the tournament’s momentum.

Roger Federer, seeded third, reached the quarterfinals but was ousted by Grigor Dimitrov in a five-set thriller. Federer struggled with back issues during the match, and Dimitrov’s victory marked his first-ever win over the Swiss maestro in eight attempts. These upsets ensured that for the first time in several years, the US Open final would feature a first-time Grand Slam finalist in Medvedev.

Women’s Singles: The Coronation of Bianca Andreescu

The women’s tournament provided one of the most significant upsets and "arrival" moments in modern sports history. Bianca Andreescu, an 19-year-old Canadian who had begun the year ranked outside the top 100, capped off a meteoric rise by defeating the legendary Serena Williams in the final.

Andreescu vs. Williams: A Tactical Breakdown

Serena Williams entered the 2019 final with the weight of history on her shoulders, seeking her 24th Grand Slam title to tie Margaret Court’s all-time record. However, Andreescu played with a level of fearlessness that negated Williams’ trademark power. Andreescu won the match 6–3, 7–5, but the scoreline belies the drama of the second set.

Andreescu held a 5–1 lead and match points before Williams, spurred by a raucous Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, clawed back to 5–5. The teenage Canadian showed remarkable mental fortitude to stop the momentum shift, breaking Williams again and holding serve to clinch the title.

Historical Significance for Canada

Andreescu’s victory was the first time a Canadian—man or woman—had won a Grand Slam singles title. Her "power tennis" style, which blended heavy topspin, deceptive drop shots, and exceptional court coverage, became a blueprint for the next generation of WTA players. This tournament also marked Serena Williams' fourth consecutive loss in a Grand Slam final since returning from maternity leave, a narrative that dominated tennis discussions well into the early 2020s.

2019 US Open Championship Results

The 139th edition was not just about the singles titles; the doubles and mixed doubles events featured world-class pairings and historic milestones.

Breakthrough Performances and Rising Stars

Beyond the champions, the 2019 US Open served as a launching pad for several players who would go on to dominate the tour in the following years.

• Matteo Berrettini: The Italian reached his first Grand Slam semifinal, losing to Nadal. His massive serve and forehand combination proved that he was a top-tier contender on hard courts.
• Belinda Bencic: After years of battling injuries, Bencic reached the semifinals by defeating the defending champion and world No. 1 Naomi Osaka in the fourth round.
• Taylor Townsend: Known for her traditional serve-and-volley style—a rarity in the modern baseline era—Townsend upset Simona Halep in the second round, providing some of the tournament’s most entertaining tactical displays.
• Daniil Medvedev: While he lost the final, his run through the North American hard-court season (reaching four finals in a row) was one of the most impressive stretches of tennis in the decade.

Prize Money and Tournament Economics

In 2019, the US Open continued its tradition of offering the richest purse in tennis. The total prize money for the 139th edition reached a record $57 million, a significant increase from previous years.

Both the Men’s and Women’s singles champions received $3.85 million each, emphasizing the tournament’s commitment to equal pay. Even players exiting in the first round received $58,000, reflecting the USTA's initiative to support the financial viability of lower-ranked professional players. From the perspective of 2026, these figures illustrate the beginning of the rapid escalation in sports media rights and sponsorship valuations that occurred in the early 2020s.

Technical and Environmental Factors

The 139th US Open was played on DecoTurf II, a fast hard-court surface. 2019 was notably the final year the tournament used this specific supplier before transitioning to Laykold in 2020. This transition is often discussed by equipment experts because the DecoTurf surface in 2019 was perceived as being slightly faster than in subsequent years, rewarding aggressive baseline play and flat hitters like Medvedev.

The Role of Infrastructure

The 2019 tournament was the second year that the new Louis Armstrong Stadium featured a retractable roof. This infrastructure proved vital during the first week when rain threatened the schedule. With both Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadiums having roofs, the US Open was able to guarantee televised "night sessions" regardless of weather, a critical factor for global broadcasting rights.

The Heat Policy

Extreme humidity and heat were major factors during the 2019 event. The tournament implemented a "Heat Policy" which allowed for 10-minute breaks between the second and third sets for women and the third and fourth sets for men if the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) reached a certain threshold. This policy was utilized multiple times during the first week, sparking debates about player safety and the physical demands of modern tennis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the 139th US Open in 2019?

Rafael Nadal won the Men’s Singles title, defeating Daniil Medvedev in a five-set final. Bianca Andreescu won the Women’s Singles title, defeating Serena Williams in straight sets. These victories were significant as Nadal secured his 19th Grand Slam and Andreescu became the first Canadian to win a major singles title.

What was the longest match of the 2019 US Open?

The Men’s Singles final between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev was one of the longest, lasting 4 hours and 50 minutes. However, several other matches in the early rounds also pushed the five-hour mark. The physical intensity of the 2019 tournament is often attributed to the high humidity and the defensive capabilities of the top seeds.

Why was the 2019 US Open significant for Serena Williams?

The 2019 US Open was the second consecutive year Serena Williams reached the final in New York but failed to win. It was a pivotal moment in her career as she was chasing Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles. Her loss to the 19-year-old Bianca Andreescu highlighted a significant generational shift in the WTA.

What happened to Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in 2019?

Novak Djokovic, the top seed, retired in his fourth-round match against Stan Wawrinka due to a shoulder injury. Roger Federer, the third seed, was upset in the quarterfinals by Grigor Dimitrov in five sets. These departures were unexpected and cleared the path for the Nadal-Medvedev final.

How much prize money did the winners receive?

The 2019 champions, Rafael Nadal and Bianca Andreescu, each received a payout of $3.85 million. The total tournament purse was $57 million, which set a new record for professional tennis at the time.

Practical Recommendations for Tennis Historians

For those analyzing the 139th US Open from a technical or historical perspective, it is recommended to review the official USTA match archives for the Nadal-Medvedev final. Pay close attention to the tactical shift in the middle of the third set, where Medvedev’s increased use of the drop shot and serve-and-volley forced Nadal out of his comfort zone. Additionally, the Andreescu-Williams final provides an excellent case study in managing "crowd momentum" in high-pressure environments.