ATP Tour

My US Open: Karen Khachanov

Back in the Top 10 of the PIF ATP Rankings after more than two years away, Karen Khachanov is flying high heading into the 2025 US Open.

A former semi-finalist in New York, Khachanov holds fond memories of competing at the at season’s final major. ATPTour.com sat down with the 29-year-old to gauge his thoughts on the tournament and find out how many of the Big Apple’s renowned tourist sites he has experienced over the years.

Read more US Open insights and memories from ATP Tour stars in our ‘My US Open’ series.

What are your first memories of the US Open when you were a kid?
I would say the first time I played. I think it was the qualifying in 2015. I arrived there, I was really excited to be in New York, beside playing when in the juniors. It was like, ‘Wow, New York’. I was really excited to play a Grand Slam for the first time.

It is an interesting venue and there is a huge stadium, so what do you remember thinking of the whole aura of the US Open?
That it was one of the craziest atmospheres, at the US Open, [especially] on the centre court. I have had quite a few good matches and good memories out there. I remember a lot of celebrities have come over, a lot of singers, actors, whatever. Always somebody is looking. So I think this feeling in New York, playing in the primetime or after, it’s a little bit of a different feeling compared to the other tournaments or Slams.

What’s your favourite US Open match?
It was against [Rafael] Nadal in 2018. I lost in four sets, we played for four and a half hours, but it was a pure fight. This match remains in the memory because of the way that we fought, how the rallies were. I would say the level itself. Physically, we stayed all four and a half hours. It’s a pity that I lost that match, but I still consider it one of my good performances.

Is there a match from anyone else that you enjoyed?
I would say Marat Safin, when he won his first US Open against [Pete] Sampras [in 2000]. And [Juan Martin] Del Potro, when he beat [Roger] Federer, when he lifted the trophy [in 2009].

How much do you enjoy New York City?
I enjoy it a lot. Every year when you arrive in New York, the first day and first week, you are excited to be in the Big Apple. But at the same time, after a couple of weeks, you start to get a little bit tired of the noise, of the crowds. [It is] a little too packed, too crowded, so you start to be a little tired of Manhattan as well.

Have you ever done any of the touristy stuff?
I was at the Met Museum. I didn’t go to the Statue of Liberty. I was in the Empire State Building. Those are the only two things I have visited.

 

 

 

 

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What is it like as you get into the tournament? Are you the kind of guy who doesn't go as much to explore, and you’re more focused on the tennis?
It depends. I was with my wife and we went to the musical theatre, Broadway shows, so it was really nice. Last year we wanted to go to see Robert Downey Jr., he was performing. Unfortunately, I lost and we had to leave, so we gave our tickets to our friends. Same as Hugh Jackman, my wife went to his Broadway show.

So it depends a little bit on the schedule, timing, if you are tired or just want to chill more. I would say I don’t have these rules that I don’t go anywhere, but it is a little bit [dependent on] the present situation.

Multiple times you’ve had very good runs at the US Open. How nice is it for you to go back there knowing all the big successes you’ve had?
It gives confidence, but at the same time, you don’t want to go too much too deep with your thoughts. You just want it to be one match at a time, one point at a time, and I know what it takes to go deep at a Grand Slam.

But at the same time, every time it is a different story. You have to prepare for every match. You have to be fully focused, fully fit and fight for it. So that’s why at the same time I don't want to put any pressure, any expectation. You just try to go for it.