What has happened at the US Open this year for the first time since 1975 when Martina Navratilova was playing
For the first time since 1975, the top four seeds in the women's singles draw have reached the semi-finals of the US Open. This rare occurrence highlights the current dominance of the top-ranked players in professional tennis.
Why it matters
This statistical anomaly provides historical context for the current state of professional tennis and the competitive landscape of the Grand Slam tournament.
Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff have made history at the US Open this year.
All four of these players have been competing for the world number one ranking, which has been secured by Rybakina after her quarter-final win.
Although the world number one ranking is no longer on the line, all four top seeds have reached the US Open semi-finals.
This is just the second time in Open Era history that all four top seeds have reached the semi-finals of the US Open singles draw, with it last happening 51 years ago.
The 1975 US Open was actually held on clay courts, as it was for three years until 1977.
Despite the tournament switching from grass to clay, it was the top players in the women's singles draw who took advantage.
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