The US Open has witnessed some shocking winners, and perhaps this year’s Grand Slam finale may not be any exception. After the Olympics have just closed three weeks ago, players arrive in New York with less time on hard courts than usual and with a lot of miles on their bodies.
Former New York Times tennis writer, and BBC Radio 5 Live interviewee, Christopher Clarey, said: “I don’t think anybody is coming to the US Open in top gear. For someone who may not normally be considered a top contender, this is their year and their opportunity.”
US Open Awaits
With the US Open now upon us, tennis fans are all agog with excitement at what may be one of the most unpredictable tournaments in memory. Given no clear frontrunner being in view, the 2024 US Open is slowly but surely building up to become one very wide-open contest.
There were many dominant champions at the US Open through the years, but this year is more uncertain and full of expectation. “No one is playing their best,” claims tennis analyst Mark Reynolds. “The traditional favorites have shown vulnerabilities, and new contenders are emerging. It’s going to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable tournaments in recent history.”
In the men’s draw, there isn’t really a dominant figure, leaving everything wide open. Though very strong, the defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz, has had his share of troubles this season. So did the other top players Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Other emerging players Jannik Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassime are also waiting to burst onto the scene. “It’s anyone’s game,” says Reynolds. “Overall, with such a variety of players who might go through, we might find some truly unexpected results here.”
“There’s never really been as wide an open men’s draw as this year,” declared British player Naomi Broady talking to BBC 5 Live.
“This year, specifically with the addition of the Olympics and the fact that these players are perhaps that fraction more tired than usual it’s going to be seriously interesting.”
He is drawn against world number one Jannik Sinner, who beat him in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January, and French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.z.
The form player is Sinner, who won the Cincinatti Open leading up to New York.
Earlier this week, it emerged that the Italian had been cleared of any wrongdoing after testing positive twice for a banned substance in March.
For women, it’s just as volatile. The top seeds— Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka have done well but struggled in matches and have been on their own injury list. And then there’s Naomi Osaka. After months of uncertainty in her personal life, Naomi has flashed some of the glimpses of her former self. She could make some real noise. “The women’s draw is ridiculously open,” says tennis commentator Laura Bennett. “We could see breakout performance from a young player or perhaps comeback from a seasoned veteran.”
It will be very thrilling for both fans and the players participating in the US Open this year, because not having stronger favorites has every match filled with potential for surprise and some great competition. Hype for this tournament is really great since fans want to know which one will really perform when it matters, and rise up to seize the prize title.
This should be a fascinating US Open as players begin to adjust and prepare, and indeed, it could be very memorable. Considering most players are not playing at their best and that the draw is wide open, it is promising an excitingly played drama and, perhaps a birth of new tennis personality in the 2024 edition. Whether he is an established veteran trying to reclaim that glory or a young gun on a quest to establish himself for the future, this year’s US Open will be an eventful journey for all present.
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