'No-one is in top gear' - a wide-open US Open awaits
'No-one is in top gear' - a wide-open US Open awaits
The US Open often brings unexpected outcomes, and this year’s Grand Slam is shaping up to be no different.
With the Olympics only three weeks behind us, players are arriving in New York with less hard-court preparation and more fatigue. As former New York Times tennis writer Christopher Clarey noted on BBC Radio 5 Live, “I don’t think anyone is coming [to the US Open] in top gear.” This could present a golden opportunity for a second-tier favorite to seize the moment.
Can Djokovic Defend His Title?
Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, is aiming to maintain his impressive streak of winning at least one Grand Slam title every year for the past seven years. A win at the US Open would not only secure his 25th major title, the most by any singles player, but also make him the oldest man in the Open era to claim a Slam. Djokovic’s focus this year was on the Olympics, where he achieved a long-awaited gold medal. It remains to be seen how this emotional victory might impact his performance in New York.
A Wide-Open Men’s Draw
“The men’s draw is as wide open as it has been for as long as any of us can remember,” British player Naomi Broady commented on BBC 5 Live. With the added fatigue from the Olympics, the tournament promises to be particularly intriguing.
Djokovic will face stiff competition from world number one Jannik Sinner, who defeated him in the Australian Open semi-finals and recently triumphed at the Cincinnati Open. Sinner, who has been cleared of any wrongdoing following two positive tests for a banned substance, is in formidable form.
Carlos Alcaraz, who outplayed Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, is also a strong contender. Djokovic, however, got his revenge with a victory in the Olympic gold-medal match in Paris.
Outside the top three, last year’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev will be aiming for his second Grand Slam title, and French Open finalist Alexander Zverev remains a serious threat.
Stay tuned for all the action and updates from the US Open.