Every year in late August, four show courts in Queens fill up to host one of the most competitive events the country ever witnesses. The 139th tennis U.S. Open began on Monday, Aug. 26 and concludes on Saturday, Sept. 8. The event alone draws in professional athletes, celebrities, tourists, general spectators, and individuals who carry a strong love for the game.

Players representing over 70 countries compete in variations of singles and doubles matches over the course of the competition. Women and men involved in the U.S. Open have been known to break records at the event. University senior Gabby Boone worked at the 2018 U.S. Open and had many positive experiences witnessing the competition first-hand. “The atmosphere was always electric,” Boone told The Pace Press. “Some of the best players in the world were there, and people came from all over the world just to see them play.” It is a time where nations all across the globe eagerly await the outcome of each play and take remarkable pride in supporting their country.

Here are some of the women who have already accomplished exceptional plays early on in the competitions.

Naomi Osaka, representing Japan, is gathering her wins. Top seed and No. 1 world player, the audience is anticipating more victories from this 21-year-old athlete. “I had my moments where I played really well and of course there were moments that I didn’t play as well as I wanted to,” Osaka told The Japan Times when reflecting on the match against Poland’s Magda Linnette on Aug. 29. “But I think the main thing for me was that I was able to adjust whenever I figured out something was going wrong, so I think I’m heading in the right direction.” After defeating Serena Williams, she became the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles title.

Fifteen-year-old Coco Gauff is impressing spectators all over the world with her maturity and competitive drive. Coco Gauff’s mother Candi told the New York Post, “She’s had the mindset since very young that pressure is a privilege. Are you going to bust like a pipe or are you going to shine like a diamond?” Representing the United States, Gauff is proud to have become the youngest player to advance into the second round at Flushing Meadows since 1996, according to The Guardian. Once she reached the third round, she was defeated by Osaka on Sept. 1. Osaka was seen comforting Gauff after the game. Fortunately, time is on Gauff’s side and her run on the 2019 U.S. Open was just the beginning for her.

Serena and Venus Williams continued to excite the crowd this year of the U.S. Open. Even though Venus Williams experienced her earliest exit for the first time since 2013, Serena Williams advanced to the fourth round on Aug. 30 after her match against the Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova. Being the eighth seed, the audience can expect more remarkable plays and intense competition from Serena Williams.

When reflecting on last year’s U.S. Open, Boone also said, “My favorite part was definitely the Venus and Serena game. I’ve always wanted to see them play.” History has been made and is continuing to be paved for these two women who have competed with high intensity during their years a part of the U.S. Open.

These are just a few of the women who have impressed the crowd throughout the 2019 U.S. Open. More exciting matches are to come as players inch closer to finals, and University students should eagerly watch what happens and see which competitors make it to the end.