By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday December 7, 2023
Coco Gauff brought Flushing Meadows to tears with her emotional triumph at this year's US Open. Join us as we recount the best tearjerking moments from the 2023 season.
Photo Source: USTA
When it comes to emotions and tennis, it’s not always about the wins or the losses or the final score. Sometimes the emotions themselves are the victory. And with that in mind we bring you the Top 10 tennis tearjerkers of 2023.
Jabeur Falls Short at Wimbledon – Again.
Talk about raw heartbreak. Jabeur was the odds-on favorite to break through and win her maiden major at SW19 this summer. She played brilliant tennis to reach the final and was looking like a player of destiny. Then nerves took hold and she was a shadow of herself in the final as Marketa Vondrousova took the title. Great for Vondrousova, who stunned us all with her unique talents and poise under pressure, but an absolute heartbreaker for Jabeur.
We haven’t heard the last from Ons, and she just might produce the top tennis tearjerker again in 2024, with a victory instead of a loss…
Svitolina’s return to glory
Elina Svitolina is an inspiration on so many levels. A new mother and part of a great tennis power couple with Gael Monfils; a consummate professional and a warrior on the court; and, most important, a Ukrainian freedom fighter who will not stop on her quest to protect and support the people of her homeland.
In 2023, Svitolina was also the comeback queen. Back on tour with a vengeance, she reached the quarterfinals at Roland-Garros and made a dramatic run to the Wimbledon semis, which featured victories over four former Grand Slam champions, including a dramatic quarterfinal win over Iga Swiatek.
Onward and upward for the former World No.3 in 2024 – on all levels.
Coco’s US Open moment
It’s hard to say that it was a long time coming for Coco Gauff. She’s only 19 after all. Even so, Coco’s inspiring run to her first major title at this year’s US Open was the stuff of dreams. To see Gauff raising the trophy in the first year of Serena Williams’ retirement was a wonderful tribute to Williams’ legacy, and a proud moment for the widely adored teenager who has always talked about her respect and admiration for Serena.
We knew the moment would come for Coco, we just didn’t know it would come this soon. Watching her parents breaking down in a flood of emotions after the title was one will go down as an iconic moment in US Open history and, for Coco, likely a first in a long line of epic triumphs.
Chris Eubanks’ rise – and charm
For too many years, Chris Eubanks’ toiled as a journeyman on the ATP Tour. Fans didn’t get a chance to really experience his wonderful personality or his astronomical game. That all changed in 2023 as Eubanks rolled through a series of milestones that saw him make his Top 100 debut, then his Top-50 debut, and finally, make a thrilling run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals where he captivated tennis fans all over the world with his tennis, and the way he handled his newfound success on and off the court.
Eubanks finishes the season at 34 in the world, with a career-high 21 wins under his belt. More in 2024 please, Chris!
Novak’s 24th major and moment with daughter
Every time Novak Djokovic steps on the court, records are broken. Often when we think about Djokovic, we think about a cold, calculated winning machine, but that couldn’t be further from te truth. Deep down Djokovic is a dedicated family man who cherishes the spiritual aspects of life. That’s why it was so tremendous to see Novak celebrate his 24th major in New York courtside with his daughter Tara. It was an unforgettable memory and perfectly timed on the 50th anniversary of Billie Jean King negotiating equal prize money for women at the US Open.
Andy Murray’s Passion
Watching Andy Murray make his way through the grind of the 2023 season was remarkable in myriad ways. The 36-year-old man with a metal hip just keeps inspiring with his trademark grit and passion for the sport and we saw those qualities take center stage at the 2023 Australian Open where he played the longest match of his career, rallying from two sets down to defeat Thanasi Kokkinakis in five hours and 45 minutes in a contest that finished after 4 AM.
But the real Murray tearjerker happened at Davis Cup in September, when the Great Scot broke down in tears as he dedicated his victory to his grandmum. Murray had to miss her funeral to represent his nation in the competition, but he didn’t forget about her.
Katu wins mixed at RG after being DQ’d from doubles
Miyu Katu was disqualified from Roland-Garros for inadvertently hitting a ballgirl during the doubles competition. Shocked and saddened by the verdict, she got support from many peers on tour, and accumulated some good karma that ended up paying off in mixed doubles. Kato won her maiden Grand slam title with Tim Puetz, ending a controversial and taxing tournament with the ultimate joy. It was a happy ending and a feel good moment for Kato and her many fans.
Karolina Muchova Shines at RG
For much of her career, Karolina Muchova has struggled with injuries and numerous ailments that have sabotaged her results, her ranking and her state of mind. But Muchova was somehow able to put all those worries behind her in Paris this year as she went on a magical run to her first Grand Slam final.
It wasn’t just great for Muchova. It was also fantastic for tennis fans who gravitated to the expressive, artistic stylings of this great talent in full bloom.
It was beautiful to see Muchova finally get out from under the injury cloud and shine on the sports’ biggest stage. We hope that the trend continues.
Strycova and Hsieh Reunite for Wimbledon Triumph
Barbora Strycova and Hsieh Su-Wei were on the comeback trail this year at Wimbledon, and the tennis watching public was happily along for the ride. Both recently having joined the ranks of mothers on the WTA Tour, the fan favorites and former champions reunited at familiar stomping grounds to return to the podium at the All England Club.
They won their second Wimbledon final as a tandem, which was the perfect farewell for Strycova, who officially ended her career at the end of the Grand Slam season.
Stanimal’s love of game
We don’t know how much tennis Stan Wawrinka has left in that now brittle body of his, but we do know that every time the 38-year-old takes the court we’re watching – and hoping – to see one more display of the bold and brave tennis that made him a three-time Slam champion and an all-time favorite. We saw it in Umag this summer, when Wawrinka reached his first final since 2019.
Though he lost to Alexei Popyrin in the final, the moment was extra special – and not lost on his opponent. After the final, Popyrin told the crowd that it was an honor to play against Stan, and added that he’d rooted for him in every Grand Slam final he played. It got very emotional when he said, “I love you, and I love the love that you have for the sport." Well said, Alexei, thanks for sharing that, and making us all cry!