One of the year’s most anticipated tennis tournaments of the year is just around the corner. The 143rd edition of the US Open, set to take place at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, will be held from August 28 through September 10. Tennis enthusiasts and fans are eagerly awaiting the start of this prestigious event, which marks the climax of the tennis calendar.
Currently, the tennis world’s attention is focused on the French Open, set to conclude on June 12, followed by Wimbledon, scheduled for late June through mid-July. While most tennis fans are engrossed in these two Grand Slam tournaments, it’s never too early to take a preliminary look at the early favorites for the US Open in August.
Last year’s US Open witnessed an impressive turnout, with more than seven thousand spectators attending the matches over the course of two exciting weeks. It was an unforgettable tournament, highlighted by memorable moments. One such moment was when Serena Williams played her last game against Ajla Tomljanovic. Serena’s match and her final speech, in which she expressed gratitude to her fans, are widely regarded as some of the most indelible moments of the tournament.
Another intriguing occurrence in the previous edition of the US Open was the decision of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic to withdraw from the tournament due to his lack of vaccination against Covid-19. However, this year brings a different scenario, as Novak will participate without any controversy. The US government has lifted the ban on travel barriers for all non-US citizens, including those who are unvaccinated.
Notably, last year’s final match took spectators by surprise as 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz emerged as the champion. The Spanish tennis prodigy became one of the youngest players ever to win the US Open Tournament, joining the ranks of the legendary Pete Sampras. Alcaraz’s exceptional performance has established him as an emerging star and a formidable contender in the Tennis ranking, making him a player to watch in this year’s US Open.
Looking ahead to this year’s event, the favorites to win the U.S. Open based on this site include renowned names such as Novak Djokovic (+150), Daniil Medvedev (+300), Carlos Alcaraz (+300), Nick Kyrgios (+900), Rafael Nadal (+1000), and Jannik Skinner (+1100). The inclusion of these top-ranked players should come as no surprise to avid tennis followers. As of now, the best sports betting apps in tennis predict a potential final showdown between Alcaraz and Djokovic.
Djokovic, currently ranked as the world’s third-best men’s tennis player, boasts an impressive record at the US Open, having secured the title three times in the past. However, he has not claimed the championship since 2018. His victories came in 2011 and 2015. In the 2021 edition, Djokovic reached the final but fell short, losing to Daniil Medvedev in three sets.
Medvedev, the current world No. 2, will be aiming for his second US Open title and his second Grand Slam singles title overall. The 2021 triumph against Djokovic remains his only major title to date. While he has been the runner-up at the Australian Open in 2021 and 2022, Medvedev has yet to reach the finals of the French Open or Wimbledon.
Carlos Alcaraz, the defending U.S Open Champion, currently holds the third-best odds of winning the tournament. The 20-year-old Spaniard has been the world’s top-ranked player since September 12 and boasts an impressive tally of 10 career titles. While he has yet to clinch another Grand Slam title, Alcaraz has displayed remarkable performances at the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon over the past year and a half. With players like Djokovic and Nadal nearing the twilight of their careers in the coming years, Alcaraz appears poised to assume the mantle of the next generation’s tennis star.
Despite being currently ranked 26th in the world rankings, 28-year-old Australian Nick Kyrgios has garnered attention with notable achievements. Having reached the Wimbledon finals in 2022 and the US Open quarterfinals last year, Kyrgios is a popular underdog pick for this year’s edition.
While Rafael Nadal may not be at the peak of his game these days, currently holding the world No. 15 spot, it is difficult to discount the achievements of the all-time great. With four US Open titles under his belt, Nadal once again emerges as one of the favorites to claim the championship. Although he hasn’t reached the US Open finals since defeating Daniil Medvedev in 2019, Nadal has won each of his last five Grand Slam finals appearances, including the Australian Open and French Open in 2022.
Finally, Italian 21-year-old Jannik Sinner finds himself within the top 10 in the world rankings at No. 8. Sinner has shown tremendous promise early in his career, clinching seven titles. However, he has yet to progress beyond the quarterfinals in any of the Grand Slam tournaments. In the previous year, he reached the quarterfinals in the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open.
Other players to keep an eye on as potential US Open winners include Casper Rudd, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Holger Rune, Taylor Fritz, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Frances Tiafoe.
The US Open is not limited to singles and doubles matches for men and women. The tournament also features wheelchair tennis, both singles, and doubles, as well as matches involving tennis legends. The entire event will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, which has provided coverage for the US Open since 2015. This year, organizers hope to surpass the record-breaking attendance of 776,120 set in the previous edition.
While it is still too early to determine the true favorites for the US Open in August, the aforementioned players are certainly strong contenders. Whether you wish to capitalize on favorable early betting odds or embark on your research for the forthcoming tennis-packed months, these names serve as an excellent starting point. As the US Open draws closer, fans and experts alike eagerly await the exciting battles that await on the grand stage of tennis.
