Who Is Ivan Lendl? Tennis Legend Handing the Trophy to the 2025 US Open Winner

The 2025 US Open men’s singles ended with a bang! Following a tense matchup, Carlos Alcaraz finally secured a win over Jannik Sinner in the final match, with a scoreline of 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. It wasn’t just a proof of skill, but of the Spaniard’s smart tactics that impressed the entire world. This win certainly deserves an honorable reward that goes beyond the $5M cheque. And what can be bigger than getting the trophy from Ivan Lendl himself? 

But wait… Who exactly is Ivan Lendl, and what is his connection to the US Open? Let’s find out! 

Who is Ivan Lendl?

Landl was born in Czechoslovakia in 1960, and by 1992, he became an American citizen. He came from a family of tennis players, with his father, Jiri, a lawyer and a former #15-ranked Czech tennis player, and his mother being a former #2 Czech tennis star. Needless to say, Lendl also became inclined towards the sport.

He became the only man in the world of tennis to have more than 90% match-winning percentage in five different years. And he even went head-to-head with the one and only Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. And guess what! Lendl was the one in the lead. He was the world number one junior player following his wins at the Italian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon in 1978.

By the early 1980s, he was already considered one of the most promising young players in the world. But what was so special about Lendl’s game? It was his heavy topspin forehand and baseline consistency. So, what did Ivan Lendl achieve in his career?

Ivan Lendl’s Career Achievements

Well, Lendl is an 8-time Grand Slam champion. He was a former world number one and has spent more than 270 weeks at the position. Moreover, he is one of the few who had major rivalries against stars like McEnroe, Connors, Boris Becker, and Mats Wilander during the 1980s. He also entered 19 Grand Slam finals, which was a record in his prime. To top it off, he won 94 ATP singles. 

But what’s his special connection to the US Open? 

Ivan Lendl’s Connection to the US Open

Out of his 8 Grand Slam wins, three were in the US Open. He consecutively won the championship in 1985, 1986, and 1987. And that cemented his legacy at Flushing Meadows as one of the championship’s iconic champions. Well, Lendl did have a crystal clear mindset regarding his performance. During a conversation with Illustrated, he claimed, “My mission is not for personal satisfaction, it’s not to try to make anyone happy. My mission is to win.”

But why does he hand out trophies to the new champions? 

Why Is Ivan Lendl Handing the 2025 US Open Trophy?

Well, for starters, that highlights his contributions to the world of tennis. Ivan Lendl isn’t just a champion, but he’s the only man to reach 8 consecutive US Open men’s singles finals in the Open Era. 

But Lendl isn’t just remembered for winning titles. He revolutionized the sport with his unrelenting work ethic, physical conditioning, and emphasis on equipment optimization. His methods influenced generations of tennis professionals. It’s symbolic of how champions like him elevated the sport. 

It’s a symbol of passing the trophy from a past champion to the new and rising star. It’s just like how Andre Agassi and Justine Henin were chosen to present the trophies at the 2025 French Open. But do let us know all about your thoughts on having someone like Ivan Lendl hand out the US Open trophy to Carlos Alcaraz. 

Meanwhile, don’t miss a beat from the ongoing 2025 US Open by visiting the EssentiallySports Live Blog! 

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