By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, September 10, 2026
Photo credit: Jon Buckle/ROLEX
NEW YORK—Horror and heroism rose from the rubble of the Twin Towers.
Twenty-five years ago, on a bright Tuesday, morning, September 11th, 2001 al-Qaeda terrorists flew two hijacked planes into the World Trade Center in a coordinated attack.
The Twin Towers attack killed 2,606 innocents, according to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
Tomorrow, on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the USTA will honor those who lost their lives in the Twin Towers attack and the heroic first-responders—NYPD, FDNY, EMTs, sanitation workers, MTA employees and everyday New Yorkers—who raced to lower Manhattan in rescue efforts.
Here’s an excerpt from today’s USTA announcement on its planned 9/11 tributes tomorrow:
In support of the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s call to illuminate the New York City skyline in shared remembrance, Arthur Ashe Stadium will feature a “Tribute in Light” and glow light blue from dusk until dawn – a symbol honoring the lives lost and celebrating New York’s unbreakable spirit and strength.
The words “Never Forget” along with the date “9/11/01” will be prominently displayed on the LED Screens inside of Arthur Ashe Stadium and around the grounds; in addition, all American flags across the site will be flown at half-mast throughout the day. The tournament will pause operations throughout the morning and hold sitewide moments of reflection, acknowledging the timeline of the historic attacks that fateful day in New York, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Pa.
Each of the two main draw sessions will feature dedicated ceremonies to honor the victims and survivors of the attacks, starting with a moment of silence. Before the 3 p.m. men’s semifinal, retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major MaryKay Messenger, who served at West Point at the time of the attacks, will perform the national anthem, accompanied by American Sign Language Performer Shiran Zhavian. This ceremony will include the presentation of colors by the Port Authority Police Department and a coin toss ceremony featuring Ret. NYPD Detective and current USTA Senior Security Manager John McCormack, who served as a first responder during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and is a 9/11 cancer survivor. During his 27 years of service with the NYPD, McCormack served on the NYPD-FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Special Events Team.
Ahead of the second men’s singles semifinal, acclaimed pop/R&B artist JoJo will deliver an inspiring rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” joined by New York Vocal Collective, and accompanied by American Sign Language performer Mervin Primeaux-O-Bryant, with the colors presented by the NYPD Color Guard and the FDNY Honor Guard – a US Open tradition since 2002. The Cadets from the US Military Academy at West Point will also unfurl a giant American flag on court, followed by a coin toss ceremony featuring retired NYPD Detective and current USTA Director of Security Brian Maguire who served as a first responder during the September 11th terrorist attacks of 2001. During his 27 years of service with the NYPD, Maguire was assigned to the NYPD-FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force’s Special Events Team, where he helped oversee security and investigate threats involving major events and sporting venues throughout New York City and the FBI New York Office’s area of responsibility.
Additionally, the USTA is proud to support those affected by 9/11 through donations to Tuesday’s Promise, an organization offering ongoing support for families grieving traumatic loss, and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which supports military veterans, first responders, and the families of those killed in the line of duty.
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