The tennis world is gearing up for the US Open, taking place over the next two weeks in Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York. This event, the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, promises exciting competition and drama as Coco Gauff defends her title and Novak Djokovic aims for his historic 25th Grand Slam victory. Sports Illustrated’s senior writer Jon Wertheim provided insights into the tournament dynamics.
Djokovic is on a path to achieve a record 25th Grand Slam, positioned in the opposite bracket from 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, whom Djokovic recently defeated at the Paris Olympics. Each player must win six matches to meet in the finals, and despite being 37, Djokovic is seen as a strong contender.
On the men’s side, another storyline involves Jannik Sinner, the top seed and Italy’s No. 1 player, who recently faced a doping scandal after testing positive twice for a banned substance. Sinner has been cleared of any penalties and is allowed to compete, but the ongoing controversy may impact his performance.
On the women’s side, Coco Gauff enters the tournament as the defending champion but comes off a rough stint, having lost three out of her last four matches, including a disappointing third-round exit at the Olympics where she clashed with the chair umpire. While Gauff retains support as an American player, the diminished hype surrounding her could be a blessing in disguise.
Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian player and Australian Open champion, emerges as a strong favorite, with Iga Swiatek, the world’s No. 1 player, also being a potential threat despite recent underperformance. The women’s draw remains wide open, promising its own form of excitement.
If Djokovic secures his 25th Grand Slam title, he would break the tie with Margaret Court, solidifying his status as the greatest of all time in tennis. Wertheim confidently asserts that even if Djokovic were to lose, his achievements still place him at the top. At 37, Djokovic’s time to reach this milestone is now, as he continues to compete against a new generation of players.