The US Open has seen teenagers break through on one of the biggest slams in tennis. Some were very young to have established themselves on the professional circuit when they lifted the trophy in the US Open. Across the men’s and women’s singles competitions in the Open Era, Tracy Austin remains the youngest champion. 

Four of the five youngest US Open champions are women while Pete Sampras is the youngest man to win the men’s singles title. These early wins often marked the start of legendary careers and highlighted how young and fearless players went into record books on the hard courts of New York.

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5 Youngest US Open Champions in Tennis History

1. Tracy Austin – 16 years, 8 months, 28 days

Tracy Austin set the record in 1979 when she defeated four-time defending champion Chris Evert 6-4, 6-3 in the final. Austin was only 16 years old and remains the youngest US Open singles champion in the Open Era till today. Her massive win ended Evert’s dominant streak and announced a new star. She went on to win another US Open title in 1981 before injuries shortened her career.

2. Martina Hingis – 16 years, 11 months, 8 days

Martina Hingis is second on the list of youngest players to win the US Open. She was just weeks away from turning 17 when she won the 1997 US Open. The teenager dominated Venus Williams 6-0, 6-4 in the final and did not drop a set throughout the tournament. That flawless run capped a remarkable year in which she nearly completed a calendar Grand Slam and made her status as one of the best young players in the history.

3. Monica Seles – 17 years, 9 months, 5 days

Monica Seles won the 1991 US Open at 17 years and 9 months, defeating Martina Navratilova 7-6(7-1), 6-1 in the Final. It was her third Grand Slam title of the year, following wins at the Australian and French Opens. The left-hander’s success that season was the start of her extraordinary dominance as a teenager and helped establish her as world Number 1 ranked player at such a young age.

4. Serena Williams – 17 years, 11 months, 15 days

Serena Williams announced herself as a Grand Slam champion at the 1999 US Open. She beat world Number 1 Martina Hingis 6-3, 7-6(7-4) in the final to win her first major title at the age of 17. The victory was the start of one of the greatest careers in tennis history and marked her first slam of what would later become 23 major Grand Slam titles for the American.

5. Pete Sampras – 19 years, 28 days

Pete Sampras became the youngest Men’s singles champion in US Open history when he beat Andre Agassi 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 in the 1990 final. He was 19 years and 28 days old and went on to win four more titles in this Slam. That terrific performance against his future rival started his great career and he went on to win 14 Grand Slam singles titles and cemented his place among the all-time greats.