By Jack Dempsey, Strategic Partnerships & Development Manager

Each summer, the world’s best tennis players converge on New York City for the US Open, the final Grand Slam tournament of the season. Played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, the tournament once again featured several Laurel Springs alumni and former students competing on one of the biggest stages in professional tennis.

For more than three decades, Laurel Springs has helped student-athletes pursue demanding training and competition schedules while continuing a rigorous education. At this year’s US Open, that tradition was on display throughout both the men’s and women’s draws.

Men’s Singles

Alex Michelsen, Laurel Springs Class of 2022, produced one of the breakout performances of the tournament. Unseeded in New York, Michelsen reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal without dropping a set through his first four matches. There, he faced fellow former Laurel Springs student and No. 11 seed Frances Tiafoe.
Michelsen jumped out to a commanding two-set lead and even served for the match in the third set before Tiafoe mounted a dramatic comeback. After four hours and 38 minutes, Tiafoe prevailed 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6), winning the deciding match tiebreak 10-6. The run marked a major career milestone for Michelsen, while Tiafoe advanced to his third US Open semifinal.
Tiafoe’s run ended in an all-American semifinal against No. 8 seed Ben Shelton, who prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 to advance to his first Grand Slam final.

Taylor Fritz, Laurel Springs Class of 2016, entered the tournament as the No. 9 seed and advanced to the third round, where he faced No. 24 seed Francisco Cerundolo. Fritz took the first two sets before Cerundolo rallied for a 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 comeback victory, ending Fritz’s run in New York.

Women’s Singles

Former Laurel Springs student and No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula put together another deep run at her home Grand Slam. Pegula rallied from a set down to defeat fellow American Emma Navarro in the quarterfinals, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, reaching the US Open semifinals for the third consecutive year. Her run ended in the semi-finals against world No. 1 and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Pegula 7-5, 6-2. Pegula’s semifinal appearance continued an impressive stretch at Flushing Meadows that included her run to the 2024 final.

Amanda Anisimova, Laurel Springs Class of 2020, impressively advanced to the third round before falling to No. 24 seed Anastasia Potapova, 6-2, 7-5.

Alexandra Eala, Laurel Springs Class of 2023 and the No. 17 seed, also reached the third round. In one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament’s first week, Eala battled No. 14 seed Iva Jovic in a three-set thriller inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Jovic ultimately edged Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in a matchup between two of the sport’s rising young stars.

Watching Laurel Springs alumni and former students compete at the highest levels of professional tennis is always a source of pride for our community. Their accomplishments at this year’s US Open reflect the commitment, discipline and resilience required to succeed both academically and athletically. We’re proud to have been part of their journeys and look forward to seeing where their careers take them next.

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