Jannik Sinner during a training session in New York. © APA / SARAH STIER

US Open: Sinner's worries and much more

The favorites for the US Open in New York, with prize money of 75 million dollars, are quickly named: Olympic champion and defending champion Novak Djokovic will once again face his two biggest challengers.

August 23, 2024

From: apa/sn

Cincinnati winner Jannik Sinner is the top seed, but the South Tyrolean will not have a clear head after his doping scandal, which became known beforehand. And 2022 winner Carlos Alcaraz is aiming for a hat trick after his titles in Paris and Wimbledon.

There is a lot at stake for Djokovic in New York, especially with regard to what may be his last big goal: the 25th Grand Slam title, which would also put him ahead of Margaret Court (24) in the all-time rankings. But things did not go as planned for the "Djoker" in the majors in 2024: At the Australian Open he was defeated in the semifinals by eventual champion Sinner, at the French Open in the quarterfinals by Casper Ruud and in the Wimbledon final he lost relatively easily to Alcaraz.

Djokovic without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017?

The successful Djokovic could end a year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017. For the 37-year-old Serb, who, however, won his missing piece of the puzzle - Olympic gold - with great performances at the Olympic Games, time is running out for the "magic 25".

Novak Djokovic is the defending champion. © APA / SARAH STIER

If Djokovic misses out on the title, the changing of the guard would probably be complete. Since the now retired Roger Federer won his first Wimbledon title in 2003, there has not been a year in which Federer, Rafael Nadal or Djokovic, i.e. one of the "big three", has not won at least one Grand Slam title.

Sinner's doping scandal or not: His record in Flushing Meadows does not make him the top favorite, even as number one. Sinner's best result so far was the quarter-finals two years ago, and this is the sixth time the Pusterer has taken part. At the draw on Thursday Sinner, Alcaraz and last year's finalist Daniil Medvedev, seeded number 5, were drawn into the top half, which begins on Tuesday. An advantage for Djokovic, whose strongest opponents according to the rankings are Alexander Zverev (GER-4) and Andrej Rublew (RUS-6).

Unddie Frauen?

In the women's competition, Aryna Sabalenka is the top favorite this time due to her form. The world number two from Belarus had to bow to Coco Gauff in the final last year, who was struggling with her form. Sabalenka recently won the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati after a clear semi-final victory over the world number one, Iga Swiatek, and in the final against Jessica Pegula, without losing a set.

Aryna Sabalenka is the top favorite among the women. © APA / MATTHEW STOCKMAN

After her strong clay court season with victories in Madrid, Rome and at the French Open, Swiatek has not won a tournament and also had to settle for bronze at the Olympics in Roland Garros. Gauff only won one title at the start of the season in Auckland and has not found her way after her early exit in the round of 16 at Wimbledon.