Sinner & Alcaraz again? Swiatek or Sabalenka? US Open preview

US Open 2025

Dates: August 24 through September 7 in Flushing Meadows, New York

The US Open has a conundrum that the leading men’s players must solve.

How can Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz avoid capturing a third Grand Slam?

Someone might have to defeat both of the top two seeds, who are in the draw, to win the New York title.

Few people are confident that anyone can stop Italy’s Sinner and Spain’s Alcaraz, who have split their previous seven majors, from sweeping the calendar clean.

According to sixth-seeded American Ben Shelton, “you have to go through that if you want to win a big title these days.”

Recent history suggests that a different winner could emerge from any of the four Slams at the US Open.

Six different champions have been the result of the slightly slower hard courts, humid weather, and the tournament’s title as the final major in a busy season.

Only one other person has won it twice during that time, Novak Djokovic. The Serb, who is now 38, continues to lead the charge to defeat Alcaraz and Sinner, who are both defending champions in 2022.

Despite his pedigree, German third seed Alexander Zverev has not yet won a Grand Slam, giving the impression that he lacks confidence in competing against the best in the majors’ business.

The three-time major winner recently sought the assistance of Toni Nadal, who helped his nephew Rafael win 16 of his 22 Grand Slam victories.

After Zverev’s first-round exit at Wimbledon, where he opened up about receiving psychological help to “get out of the hole” he was in, Zverev made the trip to Nadal’s academy in Majorca.

Nadal told BBC Sport, “He has more chances than most others to defeat Alcaraz and Sinner,” although it is undoubtedly not simple.

Everyone believes Alcaraz and Sinner are difficult to defeat, but I told him that Rafael, [Roger Federer], and Djokovic were all at least as good as Sinner and Alcaraz, and Wawrinka and Murray won three Grand Slams in the process.

He will always have a chance, but he must put in a lot of effort mentally every chance.

Taylor Fritz, the 2023 semi-finalist, and Shelton, the fourth seed, are in charge of the American challenge.

The home fans have been waiting since 2003 when Andy Roddick became the first home men’s champion.

Jack Draper, the reigning British champion, is hoping to advance beyond this year’s semi-finals with his breakout Grand Slam success.

The US Open champion, who won the US Open in 2022, boosted her credentials at Flushing Meadows by winning the Cincinnati Open, which demonstrates her skill on American hard courts.

Second seed Swiatek remarked, “I don’t think it makes sense to refer to anyone as the favorite.”

“There are some girls who consistently lead the field and show that we can play well the entire season,” I wouldn’t say it is unpredictable in women’s tennis.

“But still, there are many players who play really well and can win the tournament. “

Coco Gauff, the third-seeded American, won the 2023 title and added a second major at the French Open in June, fulfilling her long-awaited potential.

Sabalenka credits MacMillan with preventing a similar wave of double faults that has resulted in the Belarusian winning three major titles in succession.

However, the defending US Open champion also enters the hard-court major tournament in questionable form.

At the WTA 1, 000 event in Cincinnati, world number one Sabalenka struggled to hold her own against Elena Rybakina, who had already outshined her.

Sabalenka hasn’t won a major tournament this year, but she wants to become the first woman to defend the title since Serena Williams did in 2014.

In the Grand Slams this season, Sabolenka said, “I have learned a lot of difficult lessons.”

Maybe every defending champion puts so much pressure on themselves.

“I feel confident enough to concentrate on myself and attempt to achieve that result,” I said.