As the 2024 US Open approaches, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation and concern for its top contenders. Novak Djokovic, fresh from his Olympic gold medal victory in Paris, is pursuing a record 25th Grand Slam title. However, his preparation hit a snag when a training session with Holger Rune was cut short due to a possible injury. The nature of Djokovic’s discomfort remains unknown, but it has raised questions about his readiness for the tournament, where he is set to face qualifier Radu Albot in the opening round.Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz also faced a minor setback when he twisted his right ankle during a Saturday practice session. Despite the scare, Alcaraz has downplayed the severity of the injury, stating, ‘It’s nothing serious. I just stopped for precaution’. The 21-year-old Spaniard, who is aiming for his third consecutive Grand Slam title this year, remains confident about his participation and is scheduled to face 188th-ranked Australian Li Tu in the first round on Tuesday.Meanwhile, world number one Jannik Sinner enters the tournament under a cloud of controversy. Sinner, who escaped a ban despite two failed anti-doping tests in March, is seeking redemption amidst the fallout from the Clostebol scandal, which also led to changes in his coaching staff. The Italian player’s situation has sparked debate within the tennis community, with Djokovic expressing concerns about the handling of doping cases and calling for clearer protocols.As the tournament begins, all eyes will be on these top players as they navigate their respective challenges. Djokovic’s potential injury, Alcaraz’s ankle concern, and Sinner’s off-court issues add layers of intrigue to what promises to be a highly competitive US Open.
Key points
- Novak Djokovic’s US Open preparation is potentially compromised by an undisclosed injury during practice.
- Carlos Alcaraz suffered a minor ankle sprain but remains confident about his US Open participation.
- World number one Jannik Sinner enters the tournament amid controversy over past doping test results.
Contradictions👾While most sources report Alcaraz’s injury as minor and not threatening his participation, there are varying levels of concern expressed across different articles about the impact on his performance.
