The opening day of the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows was marked by thrilling performances and notable upsets. American players, including Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton, showcased strong play, with Shelton defeating former champion Dominic Thiem, who announced his retirement. Other highlights included Zheng Qinwen's comeback victory against Amanda Anisimova and Elina Svitolina's hard-fought win over Maria Lourdes Carle. However, the day also saw Greek ninth seed Maria Sakkari retire due to injury. Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff advanced smoothly, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead. Additionally, local high school students Patrycja Filonik and Julia Ivanov joined the prestigious U.S. Open ball crew, combining their love for tennis with valuable experience on the sidelines.