Once again, the U.S. Open from Flushing Meadows is upon us, marking the last grand slam on the tennis calendar.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain hopes to defend his title from last year, while Novak Djokovic has other ideas. American Coco Gauff arrives in New York brimming with confidence, and Canadian Milos Raonic returns to hard-court slam for the first time since 2020.
Here are five plot lines to follow with the action about to begin in New York:
Alcaraz and Djokovic seek revenge in the final. It is the most exciting rivalry in the sport today, made even more fascinating due to their age difference. Alcaraz was only four years old when Djokovic captured his first major Open title of Australia in 2008. Fast forward more than 15 years, and the young Spanish prodigy known as Carlitos is the world number 1 and champion of Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, while Djokovic, at 36, is a legend of the sport and leads men’s tennis with a record 23 major titles. This season alone, they have met in three of the biggest matches of the year. Djokovic beat the Spaniard in the Roland Garros semi-finals in four sets, a win that earned him his 23rd major title and his third Roland Garros title. Alcaraz avenged that loss with an out-of-this-world performance at the All England Club, beating Djokovic 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 to win his first Wimbledon title.
Just a week ago, the pair wowed the crowds in Cincinnati with the best three-setter of the season. Djokovic emerged victorious after an intense three-hour and 49-minute battle to win the Western & Southern Open. It was, in many ways, the most compelling and exciting match of the year.
Carlos Alcaraz. Novak Djokovic. One of the best sets you’ll EVER see.
Enjoy…#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/YGKYUhRm1s — Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 21, 2023
Originally posted 2023-08-25 19:03:08.
