As the 2024 US Open approaches, all eyes are on Coco Gauff, who captured hearts with her stunning victory at Flushing Meadows last year.
However, Gauff has faced recent struggles, bowing out in the second and third rounds of the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open, respectively. Her position as the second seed has been taken over by Aryna Sabalenka, who triumphed in Cincinnati and looks poised to improve on her runner-up finish from last year.
Jessica Pegula, a Buffalo, New York native, is also in contention, although she has yet to break her quarter-final barrier in a major, having failed to progress beyond the last eight in six attempts. World number one Iga Swiatek remains a formidable force, while Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova are expected to make strong showings. Yet, the challenges of transitioning from grass to clay to hard courts, combined with injuries and fatigue, may take a toll on many players.
“The women’s side is very open,” said former world number one and ESPN analyst Chris Evert. “Everyone’s getting a little tired; it’s been a long year. I can’t say who’s going to win with any conviction right now.”
British Prospects and Returning Champions
With no Andy Murray in the draw, British hopes will largely rest on the shoulders of Jack Draper, Katie Boulter, and Emma Raducanu.
Draper, the 25th seed, impressed with a fourth-round finish at last year’s US Open and will be looking to go further this time, leveraging his powerful serve and aggressive play style.
Boulter, the 31st seed, is another player to watch, though she has yet to reach the second week of a major. Meanwhile, Raducanu returns to the site of her historic 2021 US Open win, where she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title. After a carefully managed schedule following surgeries, Raducanu is looking to recapture the form that saw her lift the trophy two years ago.
Who’s Missing and Who’s Returning?
This year’s US Open will be the first Grand Slam without Andy Murray, the 2012 champion, following his retirement. Rafael Nadal, who withdrew earlier this month, is also absent, with many speculating that this season may be his last due to ongoing injury struggles. British number two Cameron Norrie will miss the tournament with a forearm injury, while last year’s Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova is also out.
In a welcome return, two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka is back for the first time since 2022, and 2020 champion Dominic Thiem has been granted a wildcard for what may be his final major appearance.
Can Djokovic Defend His Title?
Novak Djokovic enters the US Open as the defending champion, but his focus on securing a long-awaited Olympic gold in Paris might impact his performance. Djokovic, who has made winning a Slam every year for the past seven years a priority, is aiming for his 25th major title, which would set a new record for the most Grand Slam wins by any singles player, male or female.
Despite Djokovic’s dominance, the men’s draw is unusually wide open this year. World number one Jannik Sinner, who defeated Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals, and French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, who bested Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, are both in excellent form. Sinner’s recent win at the Cincinnati Open further cements his status as a top contender.
Last year’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev and French Open finalist Alexander Zverev are also in the mix, each hoping to secure another Slam title.
Sabalenka Eyes Second Slam of the Year
In the women’s draw, uncertainty reigns, with the field appearing more competitive than ever. As players arrive in New York with fewer hard-court matches under their belts and more weariness in their legs due to the recent Olympics, the stage is set for potential surprises in the final Grand Slam of the year.
Reported By BBC Sports.
