The US Open 2024 concluded over the weekend with Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner being crowned as the victors in singles. The two also won the Australian Open at the start of the season. Both were overwhelming favorites to win the title in New York and lived up to the expectations placed upon them.
Americans Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz were the losing finalists. Both gave a good account of themselves over the past two weeks, even though they ultimately faltered at the final hurdle. The two of them contested their first Grand Slam final, and given their form, it’s unlikely to be their last.
Quite a few big names made a deep run at the season’s final Major. However, a handful of the sport’s big guns were shown the door earlier than expected this time, especially given their history here. On that note, here’s a look at three players who underperformed at this year’s US Open:
“Steffi Graf did not have to give up her family… I had no friends and no mom”: When Andre Agassi clarified misconceptions about his wife’s childhood
Jannik Sinner & Carlos Alcaraz help Nike make first Grand Slam sweep since Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal’s incredible 2017 dominance
Jannik Sinner still tormented by controversial doping saga despite US Open title win
#3 – Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Alcaraz’s second-round exit from the US Open sent shockwaves across the world. He was beaten 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 by Botic van de Zandschulp. The Spaniard had won the French Open and Wimbledon this year and captured his maiden Grand Slam title in New York two years ago as well.
However, the writing was on the wall in hindsight. Following his loss to Novak Djokovic in the final of the Paris Olympics, he skipped the Canadian Open. He made a swift exit from the Cincinnati Open as he left the tournament without a win. The 21-year-old needed four sets to down qualifier Tu Li in the first round of the season’s final Major.
Given his last couple of results, Alcaraz wasn’t pegged as the leading favorite to go all the way here. However, no one anticipated him to leave the tournament so soon, that too against an opponent who hadn’t secured back-to-back wins until he defeated the Spaniard.
With the US Open in the rearview mirror, Alcaraz will lead the Davis Cup charge for Spain in front of his home crowd. The Spanish contingent is part of Group B alongside Australia, France and the Czech Republic. The group stage will take place from September 10-15 across four cities.
#2 – Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic at the US Open. (Photo: Getty)
Djokovic arrived in New York on a high after securing the elusive gold medal at the Paris Olympics. He didn’t contest any matches on hardcourts in the lead-up to the year’s final Grand Slam. This was also his last opportunity to win a Major this year, and he was the defending champion as well.
Djokovic kicked off his title defense with wins over Radu Albot and Laslo Djere. He took on Alexei Popyrin in the third round, who he had beaten at this year’s Wimbledon and Australian Open in four sets.
However, Popyrin was a different player now, and his triumph at last month’s Canadian Open bestowed him with renewed confidence. The Australian beat the former World No. 1 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to earn one of the most memorable wins of his career.
As for Djokovic, he concluded the season without winning a Major title for the first time since 2017. This also marked the first time no member of the Big 3 won a Major since 2002, ushering in a long-awaited change of guard in tennis. The Serb will return to the tour in Tokyo for the Japan Open, which will begin on September 23.
#1 – Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff at the US Open 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Gauff was the hottest player on the women’s tour during last year’s summer hardcourt swing. She won the Citi Open and the Cincinnati Open and concluded her time in North America with a maiden Major crown at the US Open.
Things could not have gone differently for Gauff this time. She was eliminated in the third round of the Canadian Open, and she didn’t win a single match during her title defense at the Cincinnati Open.
Gauff commenced her US Open run with dominant wins over Varvara Gracheva and Tatjana Maria. Elina Svitolina challenged her in the third round but she rallied from a set down to beat her 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Gauff faced Emma Navarro in the fourth round and lost to her 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. This marked the second time the former lost to the latter at a Major this year, going down to her at Wimbledon a few weeks ago as well.
From a career-high of No. 2 before the US Open, Gauff has now fallen to No. 6. She will next be seen in action at the China Open in Beijing, which will begin on September 23.
Leave a Reply