Anticipation Builds for the 2024 US Open

The tennis world is set to focus on Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York, for the upcoming US Open, the final Grand Slam tournament of the year. Beginning today, the tournament features several noteworthy storylines, including Coco Gauff‘s title defense and Novak Djokovic‘s pursuit of a historic 25th Grand Slam victory.

Djokovic, at 37 years old, is seen as a strong contender for the championship despite the emergence of younger players like Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic recently defeated Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics, putting him in a favorable position as they are on opposite sides of the tournament bracket.

Jon Wertheim, a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, mentioned that both players will need to win six matches to reach the final. Djokovic’s experience and current form, especially after his recent win at the Olympics, are factors that could influence the tournament’s outcome.

On the men’s side, another compelling narrative involves Jannik Sinner, the top seed currently dealing with a recent scandal regarding testing positive for a banned substance. Though Sinner has been exonerated and faces no penalties, the ongoing controversy raises questions about how it may affect his performance during the tournament.

Meanwhile, on the women’s side, Coco Gauff enters the tournament as the defending champion but has experienced some recent struggles, including a disappointing early exit at the Olympics. Gauff remains a popular player who could benefit from home-crowd support, but the expectations surrounding her have shifted.

Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, is considered a favorite to win the women’s title, while Iga Swiatek, currently ranked No. 1, is always a formidable competitor despite some inconsistent performances leading up to the event.

The first matches will set the tone for the tournament as fans anticipate which players will step up and which will falter on the grand stage of the US Open.