Olympic gold with Jasmine Paolini. A French Open final with the same player. And now, a mixed-doubles title. Sara Errani is back on the doubles scene in 2024.

Back in New York, this time with Andrea Vavassori in the mixed doubles, the Italian duo beat Taylor Townsend and Donald Young, in Young’s last tournament before retirement.

“To share this moment with Andrea is so special,” Errani, 37, said. “I know Donald, we played juniors together. Congrats for your career, Donald.”

Townsend also gave a tribute to Young, crediting him for his visibility as a Black tennis player, and for the impact he had on her own career, saying: “I just hope that Donald and I standing here today just shows people that look like us that it’s possible.

“Standing here today with Donald means the world to me because he’s been in my life forever. I don’t honestly know if I’d be here today if it wasn’t for him and his family.”