NEW YORK: The anticipation is palpable as Novak Djokovic, the eminent Serbian tennis sensation, embarks on his journey to secure a remarkable 24th Grand Slam singles title in the opening matches of the US Open. Set against the backdrop of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Djokovic’s return to this grand stage is particularly noteworthy, given his absence from the 2022 tournament due to his decision not to be vaccinated.
At 36 years of age, Djokovic’s enduring prowess shines anew as he takes centre stage as the second seed. The Arthur Ashe Stadium, with its impressive capacity of 23,000, is ready to host Djokovic’s much-anticipated evening match. His opponent, France’s world number 84 Alexandre Muller, sets the stage for what should be a relatively straightforward opening encounter.
A captivating twist adds to the excitement: a triumph in the first round will promptly reinstate Djokovic as the world’s number-one-ranked player. This feat will be accomplished irrespective of his subsequent performance throughout the course of the US Open.
Remarkably, Djokovic’s ascent to the summit requires a mere 20 points to reclaim the coveted No. 1 ranking. This achievement follows his recent victory over the reigning No. 1 and defending US Open champion, Carlos Alcaraz, in the Cincinnati Open earlier this month. Alcaraz remembered for his five-set triumph over Djokovic in the classic Wimbledon final of July, is scheduled to embark on his own US Open campaign on Tuesday.
While fervent tennis enthusiasts hope for a resurgence of the Djokovic-Alcaraz rivalry culminating in a thrilling men’s final on September 10, Djokovic remains steadfastly focused on the task at hand. In the lead-up to the tournament, he emphasized his concentration on his immediate opening match, dismissing the notion of prematurely dwelling on potential future matchups.
“It’s also in a way disrespectful to your next opponent if you’re already thinking about your finals matchup…that kind of mindset never really resonated with me,” remarked Djokovic on the eve of the tournament.
Examining history provides ample assurance that Djokovic’s inaugural match on Monday should be a formality, given his track record of not succumbing in the first round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.
As the tournament unfurls, other notable contenders in the men’s division emerge. American 10th seed Frances Tiafoe and ninth seed Taylor Fritz carry the dreams of a nation that hungers to break a two-decade-long spell without a Grand Slam title. Since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open victory, no American male has clinched a Grand Slam singles championship. Tiafoe and Fritz open their campaigns with palpable determination, each entering all-American matchups against Learner Tien and Steve Johnson, respectively.
In the women’s arena, defending champion and world number one Iga Swiatek sets her sights on yet another Grand Slam title. Her opener on Arthur Ashe against Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson marks the commencement of her bid for a fifth career Grand Slam victory. Despite her semifinal exits in the lead-in tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati, Swiatek approaches the US Open with a sense of improved readiness compared to the preceding year.
Reflecting on her mindset, Swiatek stated, I get more positive vibes, for sure than before last year’s tournament. But being the defending champion is not easy, so I’m kind of taking it easy, trying to do everything step by step.
Meanwhile, the women’s draw promises further exhilarating matchups. US teenage prodigy Coco Gauff seizes the spotlight as she faces German qualifier Laura Siegemund in a night game. The 19-year-old arrives in New York riding a wave of success after clinching titles in Washington and Cincinnati. Her notable victory in Cincinnati, her first WTA 1000 title, included a significant win over Swiatek, potentially setting the stage for a quarter-final showdown.
Buoyed by her recent resurgence, Gauff exudes newfound confidence, asserting, I think now I’m going in with a lot more confidence… I do feel I’m much more confident in my B or C game.
