The last Grand Slam tournament of the season, the US Open in New York, has often been a “minefield” for many top favorites. It’s no surprise, then, that some of the records for the most titles — set even before the Open Era — still stand today. Let’s take a look at the players who have lifted the trophy most often in the “Big Apple.”
John McEnroe – 4 Titles
Known for his uncompromising attitude on court and frequent clashes with umpires, John McEnroe is best remembered for his legendary rivalry with Björn Borg and his seven Grand Slam titles — four of which came in New York.
1979 🏆
1980 🏆
1981 🏆
1984 🏆Happy Birthday to our 4x singles champion, John McEnroe! pic.twitter.com/SP0YpP6Bh3
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) February 16, 2023
Rafael Nadal – 4 Titles
The “King of Clay” has also proven he can dominate on hard courts. Nadal claimed the US Open crown four times (2010, 2013, 2017, and 2019), making it his second-most successful Grand Slam event.
🇪🇸 Rafa Nadal in the summer of 2013:
🇨🇦 Canada Masters – 🏆
🇺🇸 Cincinnati Masters – 🏆
🇺🇸 US Open – 🏆2x wins vs Novak Djokovic.
1x win vs Roger Federer.Lost only 5 sets.
1 of only 3 men to win all big North American titles in one summer.
Not bad for a “clay specialist”. pic.twitter.com/d3WB65SEy6
— Swish 🍒 Tennis (@Zwxsh) August 1, 2025
Novak Djokovic – 4 Titles
For Novak Djokovic, the US Open has been both the site of his first major breakthrough and the tournament where he has suffered the most final losses — six in total. He played his first Grand Slam final in New York in 2007 and went on to win titles in 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023. One of his most painful defeats came in the 2021 final against Daniil Medvedev, when he was one step away from completing the calendar-year Grand Slam.
Novak Djokovic has won the US Open under every Presidential Term since 2008.
2011 (Obama 1st term)
2015 (Obama 2nd term)
2018 (Trump 1st term)
2023 (Biden)?? (Trump 2nd term) pic.twitter.com/4elt3tAtvv
— SK (@Djoko_UTD) November 7, 2024
Jimmy Connors – 5 Titles
Jimmy Connors holds a unique record in the world of tennis — he is the only player to have won the same Grand Slam tournament on three different surfaces. His first US Open title in 1974 came on grass, followed by victory on clay in 1976, and three more triumphs on hard courts (1978, 1982, and 1983).
🎂 Hoy cumple 73 años el único tenista con 🏆 en un único Grand Slam sobre tres superficies diferentes (All-Time/Men’s Singles): Jimmy Connors 🇺🇸.
🟢 US Open | 1974
🟠 US Open | 1976
🔵 US Open | 1978, 1982, 1983Suyo sigue siendo el récord de 109🏆 y 1274 victorias oficiales… pic.twitter.com/l2zNKf40t5
— MisterOnly.Tennis (@OnlyRogerCanFly) September 2, 2025
Pete Sampras – 5 Titles
The legendary American with Greek roots, Pete Sampras, won his five US Open titles in 1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, and 2002. His victory over Andre Agassi in the 2002 final made him the only player in the Open Era to win the last Grand Slam match of his career.
Celebrating 5x US Open singles champion, Pete Sampras! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/rCzaB8hgIi
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 12, 2025
Roger Federer – 5 Titles
When Roger Federer claimed his fifth consecutive US Open crown in 2008, few imagined it would be his last. The following year, he fell in the final to Juan Martín del Potro. On several occasions after that, Novak Djokovic stood in his way with dramatic comebacks, leaving Federer just short of Bill Tilden’s record.
Roger Federer 🇨🇭 est le SEUL joueur à avoir réalisé l’exploit de remporter l’US Open cinq fois d’affilée (2004-2008) dans l’Ère Open. 🏆5️⃣
𝟰𝟬 𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗦 de suite jusqu’en finale 2009. 🤯
Depuis, PERSONNE n’a réussi à défendre son titre une seule fois chez les hommes. pic.twitter.com/Cc0TgOZ0F5
— Univers Tennis 🎾 (@UniversTennis) August 21, 2025
Richard Sears – 7 Titles
Remembered as the first-ever US Open champion, Richard Sears shares the all-time record with seven titles. It’s worth noting that in the tournament’s inaugural edition in 1881, only members of the USTA club were eligible to compete.
William Larned – 7 Titles
Alongside Roger Federer, William Larned is one of only two players to have won five consecutive US Open titles (1907–1911). He also triumphed in 1901 and 1902, bringing his total to seven.
Bill Tilden – 7 Titles
Bill Tilden reached ten US Open finals and won seven of them. In addition to his dominance in New York, he also captured three Wimbledon titles, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest champions in tennis history.
In honor of the US Open, here’s Bill Tilden at the White House tennis court in 1923. In the middle of his 6 year US Open win streak.
No pressure, Djokovic. pic.twitter.com/LHbJb0O9Ks
— The Elective (@readtheelective) September 1, 2023

