The US Open tennis tournament observed the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks with poignant tributes and a personal narrative of how the tragedy intertwined with the sport. On Friday evening, as American players Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton competed in a semifinal match, uniformed cadets from West Point stood in silent commemoration beneath Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Moments before the match, the lights dimmed, and a moment of remembrance was held. The US Open had been paused two days before the 2001 attacks, but on this 25th anniversary, the date fell on the same day as a highly anticipated all-American showdown 10 miles from Ground Zero. Tributes were woven into the event, with Arthur Ashe Stadium glowing blue and the date '9/11/01' displayed on LED screens. First responders from Ground Zero were present, and singer JoJo performed the national anthem as a large American flag was unfurled.
Beyond the official ceremonies, the day brought forth a personal story of connection and loss. Tennis player Alexandra Stevenson recounted her experience in 2001, when she was a 20-year-old player at the US Open. She formed a bond with Manuel ‘Manny’ Del Valle Jr., a 32-year-old New York firefighter who was working as a chauffeur for players to earn extra money. Del Valle drove Stevenson to and from the tournament, offering advice and sharing his motivations for becoming a firefighter, including his desire to help people during emergencies.
Their connection deepened, leading to plans for a date on September 13, 2001, which was to include dinner at the World Trade Center. However, Del Valle never made it to their planned date. Two days prior, on September 11, he entered the North Tower of the World Trade Center and did not emerge. Stevenson learned of his fate when she was unable to reach him after seeing the news. It took weeks for search crews to find Del Valle's body among the debris. Stevenson also remembered her school friend, Deora Bodley, who was on United Airlines Flight 93. Stevenson has honored both Del Valle and Bodley annually, attending dinners with Del Valle's firehouse comrades and organizing a wreath for his funeral bearing the tribute 'Te Recordare'—'I will remember you'—a song Del Valle often played.
In 2001, tennis player Lleyton Hewitt had a photoshoot scheduled at the Twin Towers for September 10 but it was moved. He later observed airline staff crying on his flight back to Australia, indicating the dawning realization of the tragedy. Stevenson, back in California after the tournament, saw the news unfold on television and immediately tried to contact Del Valle, knowing he would respond to emergencies. Her attempts to reach him and his subsequent discovery underscore the profound impact of the attacks on individuals connected to New York City.