The 2024 US Open has kicked off with a mix of anticipation and controversy surrounding its top contenders. Novak Djokovic, fresh from his Olympic gold medal victory in Paris, is set to begin his title defense against Radu Albot. The 37-year-old Serbian, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, remains confident and motivated by his rivalries with younger stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.World number one Jannik Sinner enters the tournament under a cloud of controversy following a recent doping case. Although cleared of wrongdoing by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, Sinner has expressed ‘low expectations’ for the US Open, citing physical issues and mental struggles. ‘I have low expectations because I know what I’ve been through, but I always do my best, try to run on every ball, and fight,’ Sinner told ESPN.Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, aiming for his third consecutive Grand Slam title this year, faces a potentially challenging path to the final. The 21-year-old Spaniard could meet Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, reminiscent of their Roland Garros encounter.The tournament’s first day was marked by unexpected drama as eighth-seeded Maria Sakkari was forced to retire from her opening match against Yafan Wang due to a shoulder injury. This early upset sets the tone for what promises to be an unpredictable and exciting Grand Slam event.As the competition heats up, other top players like Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka are also in action, each facing their own set of challenges and expectations. With a mix of established stars and emerging talents, the 2024 US Open is shaping up to be a thrilling showcase of world-class tennis.
Key points
- Novak Djokovic aims to defend his US Open title and set new Grand Slam records.
- World number one Jannik Sinner enters the tournament with low expectations following a doping controversy.
- Carlos Alcaraz faces a challenging path in his quest for a third consecutive Grand Slam title.
- Maria Sakkari’s injury-forced retirement marks a dramatic start to the tournament.
Contradictions👾While Jannik Sinner has been cleared of wrongdoing in his doping case, he still expresses low confidence and expectations for the tournament, which seems at odds with his world number one ranking.
