Entrance is closed for Novak Djokovic due to vaccine status in the United States, while Daniel Medvedev and Rafael Nadal open as the top favorites for the US Open, both pursuing a claim to world No. 1.
Medvedev and Nadal faced questions about Djokovic’s absence, with both players acknowledging the Serb’s loss of the crown at stake in New York. They noted that without Djokovic the field shifts, and the 2,000 points from last year’s Australian Open, plus wins in Miami, Indian Wells, Canada, Cincinnati, and Wimbledon, may not count in this atypical season shaped by broader circumstances. Even with Djokovic sidelined, a return to the top remains a possibility for the Serb who sat atop the rankings for a record stretch of 310 weeks.
multiple combinations
The Russian defending champion faces the task of holding his position at No. 1 while fending off challengers who could climb past him. Nadal could claim a fifth title in New York on September 11 and stretch his career Grand Slam total to 23, potentially overtaking Medvedev, who would be seeking his first championship in New York since 2021. Medvedev did not reach the final last year, leaving room for other contenders to seize the moment.
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If Nadal edges ahead to claim the title in New York, he would be only 1,255 points behind the leader from Russia and would still be in position to finish as runner-up if the scenario plays out that way. Medvedev is not the favorite to win this year, and if the remaining contenders fail to reach the final, the race could tighten with players such as Tsitsipas, Alcaraz, or Ruud advancing to the semi finals or beyond.
In Djokovic’s absence the field appears strong, with competitors including Kyrgios, Auger-Aliassime, Carreño, and Berrettini among the hopefuls for a breakthrough. Medvedev voiced confidence that he can achieve something great in New York again, though the test begins with a tough match this Monday against rising American Stefan Kozlov.
Spain semi-final?
For Nadal the path to the final looks less congested on the lower half of the draw, where a potential route could intersect Schwartzman, Rublev, or Alcaraz in the quarter or semi finals. The young Murcian talent expressed excitement about the prospect of sharing the stage with Nadal in New York, following his quarterfinal run last year when Tsitsipas was knocked out before retirement due to injury.
The expectations for Alcaraz remain high, though form in the lead-up has been inconsistent. The Argentine Sebastian Baez, ranked 37 in the world, will test him in his Arthur Ashe debut on Tuesday evening.
one game in 50 days
Nadal is slated to begin the night session late, facing an unfamiliar Australian contestant who has climbed only a little in the rankings. Nadal has taken a cautious approach as he awaits options for the tournament, including personal matters away from the court.
Nadal’s schedule includes a match that followed a long layoff since Wimbledon, where a recent quarterfinal loss to Fritz in Cincinnati left him searching for rhythm. He stressed the need to manage health and serve responsibility through the Grand Slam journey.
Serena, big attraction
The focus in the women’s draw will center on Serena Williams as she approaches retirement. The five-time New York champion, once ranked world No. 1, closes out a storied career that has yielded 23 Grand Slams and two decades of dominance.
Before the first round, Serena Williams shared updates via social channels about her US Open participation.
Raising the trophy again at Arthur Ashe Park could be a storybook ending for the American icon, even though many wonder if the feat is within reach. Since Williams last won in Melbourne in 2017, the field at Grand Slams has felt open and unpredictable. Emma Raducanu, who surprised the previous year, made a deep run but has not added another title since, highlighting the evolving landscape of the women’s game.
Badosa and Muguruza, at low hours
The women’s race sees Iga Swiatek as the current world No. 1 and top seed, though she ceded some dominance after a stretch of multiple championships. The field remains wide, with Paula Badosa and Garbine Muguruza among the contenders, yet both have not displayed peak form lately. Securing a title would help both players qualify for the WTA Finals; Badosa sits around eighth in the year standings while Muguruza is further back in the rankings. They remain credible threats, though not the strongest favorites in this cycle.
With Djokovic unavailable, Medvedev, Nadal, and the rest of the field gather momentum as the season intensifies, offering multiple pathways to the crown for both men and women in New York. The atmosphere promises thrilling matchups and dramatic finishes as the Open enters its decisive stretch.