Summary
A wide-open US Open awaits, as “No-one is in top gear.”
This year’s Grand Slam finale could be no exception to the tradition of the US Open producing unexpected champions.
Players are arriving in New York with fewer minutes on a hard court and more miles in their legs than they did before the Olympics, which were held just three weeks ago.
Christopher Clarey, a former tennis writer for the New York Times, stated on BBC Radio 5 Live, “I do not believe that anyone is arriving at the US Open in top form.”
“For somebody who is maybe more of a second-tier favourite, this is their year and their opportunity.”
Will Djokovic successfully defend his title?
Although he is the reigning champion Novak Djokovic, it is unclear how his prospects would be impacted emotionally by his long-awaited Olympic victory on the Paris clay.
Although Djokovic prioritized the Olympics this year, he would still like to continue his seven-year streak of winning a Slam title annually.
With a win in New York, Djokovic will have won 25 majors, which is more than any other male or female singles player. He would also become the oldest player to win a Slam in the Open era.
The British player Naomi Broady stated on BBC 5 Live that “the men’s draw is as wide open as any of us can remember.”
“This year, especially with the addition of the Olympics and the players being that bit more fatigued, it is going to be incredibly interesting.”
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who defeated Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinals in January, and Wimbledon and French Open winner Carlos Alcaraz will be formidable opponents for Djokovic.
After winning the Cincinnati Open in the lead-up to New York, Sinner is the player in form.
The Italian was exonerated of all charges earlier this week, following two positive tests for a prohibited drug in March.
Djokovic was defeated by Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final as well, but the Serb exacted revenge by winning the gold medal match in Paris.
Outside of the top three, Alexander Zverev, the winner of the French Open, and last year’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev will be vying for an elusive second Slam.
Sabalenka aims for the year’s second Slam
Sabalenka aims for the year’s second Slam.
The women’s draw is also changing at the moment.
Despite her memorable victory at Flushing Meadows last year, Coco Gauff has had difficulty lately, falling in the Canadian Open’s second round and the Cincinnati Open’s third round, respectively.
Additionally, Aryna Sabalenka, who won in Cincinnati last week and appears to be a serious chance to improve on her runner-up performance from the previous year, has taken her spot as the second seed.
Buffalo, New York native Jessica Pegula is also favored, but she’ll need to overcome her quarterfinal curse—she hasn’t advanced past the last eight at a major in six attempts.
Barbora Krejcikova, the Wimbledon winner, and Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen will be among the contenders, along with world number one Iga Swiatek.
But a lot of players would have been impacted by illnesses, injuries, and the change from grass to clay to hard.
Chris Evert, an ESPN analyst and former world number one, remarked, “On the women’s side, it is very open.”
It’s been a long year, and I do believe that everyone is starting to feel a bit worn out. Right now, I am unable to predict the winner with any degree of certainty.”
How about the prospects for Britain?
Jack Draper, Katie Boulter, and Emma Raducanu will receive a lot of attention in Britain now that Andy Murray isn’t around.
The top-seeded British player, Draper, will start as the 25th seed. Last year, in New York, he made it as far as the fourth round of a major.
His powerful serving and forceful hitting should be ideal for the fast-playing Flushing Meadows courts.
Since Boulter has a comparable aggressive approach, they should fit him as well.
The 31st seed, who Broady predicted to be “one to watch for the tournament,” has not advanced past the second week of a major.
Raducanu will be going back to the location of her incredible victory in 2021, when she made history by being the first player to win a Grand Slam in a qualifying round.
She made it to the quarterfinals of the Washington Open earlier in August, but she did not play again after skipping the Olympics to avoid the abrupt transition from clay to hard courts.
“With Emma this year, it’s been especially delicate for her to get her schedule right after those surgeries,” Broady stated.
Recuperated individuals frequently encounter new challenges since they threw themselves into the recovery process.
“She has demonstrated her competitiveness with the victories she has achieved in the weeks she has played. I believe her victory there will be ingrained in her muscles.”
Who will be present and who won’t be returning?
This will be the first Grand Slam since Murray’s retirement from the game following his victory in New York in 2012.
Rafael Nadal, who withdrew earlier in August, won’t be there either. Given his history of injuries over the previous several years, it is commonly anticipated that the Spaniard would retire at the end of the current campaign.
Due to a forearm injury, British number two Cameron Norrie is sidelined. Marketa Vondrousova, the champion of Wimbledon last year, is also not there.
For the first time since 2022, two-time winner Naomi Osaka will return to New York, and 2020 champion Dominic Thiem will receive a wildcard to compete in his final major championship.