The US Open 2024, set to begin on August 26 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, is shaping up to be a tournament filled with compelling storylines. Defending champion Novak Djokovic enters the competition on a high note, having recently secured his first Olympic gold medal in Paris. The 37-year-old Serbian is aiming for a record-tying fifth US Open title, which would further cement his status as one of the greatest players in tennis history.However, the tournament is not without controversy. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner arrives in New York under scrutiny following two positive drug tests for clostebol, an anabolic steroid. Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing due to unintentional use, the incident has sparked debate in the tennis community. Sinner, who had his first training session on Arthur Ashe court on Thursday, received a warm welcome from the crowd, suggesting that fans may be willing to move past the controversy.In a significant blow to the women’s draw, 2022 finalist Ons Jabeur has withdrawn from the tournament due to persistent shoulder and knee injuries. Jabeur, who was seeded 17th, will be replaced by Belgian player Elise Mertens as the 33rd seed. This continues a challenging season for Jabeur, who has been forced to withdraw from several major events due to injuries.The draw has set up potential blockbuster matchups, with Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz positioned on opposite sides of the bracket, potentially setting up a final showdown. Alcaraz, coming off what he described as the ‘worst match’ of his career at the Cincinnati Open, will be looking to rediscover his form.As the tennis world mourns the loss of Peter Lundgren, a former coach of Roger Federer who passed away at 59, the stage is set for two weeks of intense competition and compelling narratives at Flushing Meadows.
Key points
- Novak Djokovic enters US Open 2024 as the defending champion and recent Olympic gold medalist, aiming for a record-tying fifth title.
- World No.
- Ons Jabeur withdraws from the tournament due to persistent shoulder and knee injuries.
- The draw sets up a potential final showdown between Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
1 Jannik Sinner faces scrutiny over recent positive drug tests, despite being cleared of wrongdoing.
Contradictions👾While most sources report on Sinner’s warm reception at his first training session, there are conflicting views on how the doping scandal might affect public perception, with some suggesting it could be a contentious issue.
