Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\nNEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 23: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain walks off court after a practice session ahead of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 23, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
ALCARAZ SEEKING TO BOUNCE BACK IN THE BIG APPLE<\/p>\n
After a booming run as brilliant as it was bewildering three years ago in New York, Carlos Alcaraz created history by becoming the youngest ever world No.1 when winning a maiden major title at the US Open.<\/p>\n
Somehow the smiling teenager from Spain survived a series of late night epics in succession to reach the decider against Casper Ruud, a clash in which he also found himself in a tricky position, to secure the title and the world\u2019s top ranking.<\/p>\n
The right-hander arrives at Flushing Meadows this week within range of securing top spot again, with incumbent No.1 and reigning US Open champion Jannik Sinner having to better the efforts of his chief rival over the next fortnight to hold the position.<\/p>\n
But Alcaraz also arrives in a new position, for this will be the first grand slam he has played after losing in the decider of a major after his perfect record in deciders was ended at Wimbledon by Sinner.<\/p>\n
How he responds from that loss, and whether it will sharpen his competitive instincts, will be fascinating. Could a major loss spark another surge for the Spaniard?<\/p>\n
So far, so good, with Alcaraz clinching the Cincinnati Masters last Monday when the Italian withdrew citing illness while trailing 0-5. He said that his rivalry with Sinner, which he leads 9-5, was pushing him to play \u201cbeautiful tennis\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks to him, I bring my best tennis in the match,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think for the people, too, it\u2019s great watching our matches. As we\u2019ve said many, many times, we raise our level to the top and bring really beautiful tennis in these matches.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alcaraz also has something to prove in New York after a relatively meek exit in a semifinal to Daniil Medvedev when defending the crown followed by the shocker of a loss to Botic van de Zandschulp last year.<\/p>\n
The weight of the world seemed on his shoulders last summer in America, with the smile that seemed permanently fixed to his face instead replaced by a furious frown. <\/p>\n
He had completed the \u201cChannel Double\u201d by winning at Roland Garros and Wimbledon but was devastated to lose the Olympic final to Novak Djokovic, sobbing when interviewed by Alex Corretja not long after a 7-6 7-6 defeat in the gold medal playoff.<\/p>\n
He snapped soon after in Cincinnati, smashing his racquet into the ground four times, which was the first real flash of temper from him at the top tier.<\/p>\n
After the loss to van de Zandschulp, he also raised complaints all out scheduling that have subsequently been followed by peers including Aussie Alex de Minaur when stating; \u201cThey are going to kill us in some way.\u201d<\/p>\n
A superb new book on the five-time major champion from English journalist Mark Hodgkinson, who has previously delved into the dynamics driving Djokovic, sheds light on Alcaraz and his internal struggle between wanting to be the best ever while also trying to enjoy as normal a life as possible.<\/p>\n
Titled Being Carlos Alcaraz: The Man Behind The Smile, it traces his roots from Murcia to arriving on the scene as the heir apparent to the golden generation of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic and his rise to fame and fortune.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz is big business. Forbes lists his as the highest-earning active player and estimates that he takes in about A$1.33 million a week in earnings.<\/p>\n
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 23: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero as he takes a break during a practice session ahead of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 23, 2025 in New York City. Clive Brunskill\/Getty Images\/AFP (Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL \/ GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA \/ Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP<\/p>\n
As a boy his favourite doona cover carried an imprint of the map of the world on it. Sitting by the entrance to Flushing Meadows is a giant Unisphere built for the 1964 World Fair in New York. Once atop the world of tennis, Alcaraz is desperate to conquer it again.<\/p>\n
But he is also striving to find the right balance in his life.<\/p>\n
While Alcaraz has a kaleidoscope of weapons in his arsenal and has worked hard on every aspect of his craft from his arrival at an academy run by his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero seven years ago, he also has a lust for life away from tennis.<\/p>\n
He enjoys a drop when the occasion warrants it. After winning Roland Garros for the first time, he headed to Ibiza to \u201cget wasted\u201d.<\/p>\n
Yet when he is back in Spain he is happy to curl up in a small bed in the family home and often craves the simplicity of life in Murcia.<\/p>\n
Will he continue on a trajectory that has him ahead of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic at the same age? Or will his broader appetite for life, as portrayed in the book by Hodgkinson, ultimately lead to a shorter career than the legends who preceded him?<\/p>\n
These are themes considered in the book. And another chapter awaits Alcaraz in New York over the next fortnight.<\/p>\n
A GREAT RIVALRY BLOSSOMS<\/p>\n
Alcaraz and Sinner delivered one of the greatest grand slam finals played in Roland Garros in June. <\/p>\n
The next decider between the pair was at Wimbledon and, although it fell short of being an epic, the All England Club final still had moments of magnificence that had the world marvelling at the monumental talents.<\/p>\n
It was in New York back in 2022 where Alcaraz and Sinner thrust swords at each other in a classic that demonstrated tennis would be fine once the golden generation of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic had traipsed from the baselines to the bar.<\/p>\n
Despite the Cincinnati result, Sinner is the man to beat given his remarkable record on hard court dating back to his Masters success in the Canadian Open over de Minaur just over two years ago. <\/p>\n
Djokovic won the US Open that year. But Sinner has won every hard court major since and bar for Alcaraz\u2019s remarkable escape in Paris in June, would be vying to complete a calendar year Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows.<\/p>\n
Should the duo play against each in New York, it will mark the first time since Federer and Nadal clashed in three major finals over the space of four majors in 2008 and 2009 that the same combination has played each other. And the Italian has a theory on what makes their matches compelling.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are two different players. We have different game styles, but also how we are off the court. It makes it very interesting. The only thing we have in common is that we practice very hard,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Sinner, who shapes as a probable rival for Australia\u2019s second-ranked man Alexei Popyrin in the second round, said on Friday he did not necessarily believe he and Alcaraz will continue to dominate the tour for years to come, saying there is always the prospect of a disrupter.<\/p>\n
\u201cMe and Carlos, we\u2019re sharing big trophies, but at the same time, things can change,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good for the sport, but if we don\u2019t continue to improve, players will catch us. It\u2019s just a question of time. We have certain areas of the game that we can certainly work on. From my point of view, that\u2019s a positive. It only makes me a better tennis player in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 22: Jannik Sinner of Italy fields questions during Media Day ahead of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 20, 2025 in New York City. Matthew Stockman\/Getty Images\/AFP (Photo by MATTHEW STOCKMAN \/ GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA \/ Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP<\/p>\n
DJOKOVIC THE DISRUPTER<\/p>\n
It seems incredible that, 20 years after he emerged on to the circuit as the disrupter to the fledgling rivalry between Federer and Nadal, Djokovic remains the man most likely to challenge the forces who now dominate the sport.<\/p>\n
The legend has not played since Wimbledon and said in New York the majors are his primary reason for playing. He no longer enjoys the Masters tier events and was scathing in his assessment of the longer-form 1000 point tournaments that have drawn criticism this year.<\/p>\n
Djokovic, it must be said, has not won an extended Masters event for several years, but his point about his peers failing to react when events through the European, US summer swing and in Shanghai expanded their timelines was biting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve noticed that a lot of players, top players, have been quite opposed to the new change of the almost two-week events at the Masters level,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI supported the players, but in the end of the day, when the players needed to be active, and when there was time of negotiations and decision making, players weren\u2019t participating enough. And this is an ongoing story. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe players, particularly top players … they express their feelings, but then when you really need to put in the time and the energy into conversations, meetings, which I know it\u2019s very difficult, (they did not put the effort in).<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been there, trust me, many times, but it\u2019s necessary, because then you know you\u2019re doing something, not only for yourself, but future generations, and then you\u2019re making the right moves, right steps, and contributing. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s see what happens. I just doubt anything will change in a foreseeable future when it comes to these contracts that are quite solid and bring a lot of revenue to the tournaments.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tennis player Novak Djokovic throws a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo\/Pamela Smith)Source: AP<\/p>\n
The 38-year-old, who has reached the semifinals at all three grand slams this year and continued to break records despite a 25th major title remaining elusive, said he was happier now to spend time with his family rather than chasing titles outside the grand slams.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, I didn\u2019t have any matches since Wimbledon … but I\u2019ve put in a lot of training in the last three, four weeks, and I decided not to play because I wanted to spend more time with my family,\u201d Djokovic said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd to be honest … I think I have earned my right and have the luxury of choosing where I want to go and what I want to play. And to be quite frank with you, I don\u2019t enjoy the two-week Masters events anymore.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me it\u2019s really about, \u2018Where do I find motivation and joy? Where will I be inspired to play the best tennis? And where do I care to be, really, and play\u2019. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe slams are obviously the four main tournaments where I always feel the most motivation. And then … other tournaments here and there. I don\u2019t actually have any schedule other than slams.\u201d<\/p>\n
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 22: Novak Djokovic of Serbia fields questions during Media Day ahead of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 20, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
THE SWIATEK RESURGENCE<\/p>\n
Iga Swiatek had good reason to check out this week as she focused on trying to win the US Open for the second time.<\/p>\n
After winning in Cincinnati, which followed a remarkable return to form at Wimbledon, she could have used what has proven to be a delightful week in terms of the weather in the Big Apple to finetune her preparations for Flushing Meadows.<\/p>\n
Instead she cracked in to the revamped and polarising US Open mixed doubles spectacular, with the intensity with which she and partner Casper Ruud participated noted by fellow stars in the event as they reached the final.<\/p>\n
After an extended period where she fell short of her championship-winning best following a positive doping test last year triggered by contaminated sleeping medication, Swiatek has regained her best and is the woman to beat over the next fortnight.<\/p>\n
At stake at the US Open, aside from the title and a whopping $7.78 million for the winner, is player of the year honours.<\/p>\n
Madison Keys broke through for a long-awaited major at the Australian Open. Coco Gauff was crafty as can be when winning at Roland Garros. And Swiatek proved herself capable of winning on all surfaces when clinching her sixth major title at Wimbledon.<\/p>\n
Throughout this period world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion in New York, has been within range of adding to her major tally as runner-up in the first two majors before a semifinal appearance in London. <\/p>\n
The quartet shape as the leading contenders again and the dynamics at play are fascinating.<\/p>\n
Iga Swiatek, right, of Poland, and Casper Ruud, left, of Norway, react during the mixed doubles final at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo\/Yuki Iwamura)Source: AP<\/p>\n
Will Swiatek dominate the circuit once again after finally clicking with renowned coach Wim Fissette? <\/p>\n
Have the narrow losses Sabalenka has experienced in majors across 2025 dented her confidence she can prevail under pressure?<\/p>\n
Will Gauff reboot after a let-down at Wimbledon? Can Keys, a former finalist in New York who has always been a superb player on hard court, deliver at home?<\/p>\n
Mats Wilander, a former world No.1, told Eurosport the greater control with which Swiatek played with at Wimbledon was a factor in her reclaiming her major-winning best.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like the way that she played at Wimbledon to begin with. I think that she played a little less aggressively,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think you have to be super aggressive all the time to win on either the men\u2019s tour or the women\u2019s tour. I think Iga has found her way again.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s, to me, playing a little bit more on the other surfaces the way that she plays on clay. She\u2019s using the forehand, and sometimes plays it with a lot of top spin. I think she has taken a step backward on the court (and is) understanding her game on other surfaces.\u201d<\/p>\n
Outside the quartet, Amanda Anisimova is a superb striker of the ball but it will be fascinating to see how she rebounds after a hellish experience in the Wimbledon final where she failed to win a game.<\/p>\n
Jasmine Paolini looks to have regained her best form as well, while former champion Naomi Osaka was really good in Montreal recently until a meltdown from a strong position against Canadian newcomer Victoria Mboko in the final.<\/p>\n
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 22: Aryna Sabalenka fields questions during Media Day ahead of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 20, 2025 in New York City. Matthew Stockman\/Getty Images\/AFP (Photo by MATTHEW STOCKMAN \/ GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA \/ Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP<\/p>\n
V. Williams handed wildcard to US Open | 00:42<\/p>\n
WHAT ABOUT THE AUSSIES?<\/p>\n
Seeded stars Alex de Minaur and Daria Kasatkina head the 15-strong Australian contingent who will be in action at Flushing Meadows over the next fortnight, with qualifiers Destanee Aiava and Priscilla Hon, along with lucky loser James Duckworth, late inclusions.<\/p>\n
De Minaur, who will open his campaign against compatriot Chris O\u2019Connell, managed to make a quarterfinal in New York last year effectively on one leg when returning from the serious hip injury he suffered at Wimbledon.<\/p>\n
A winner in Washington D.C in July, he has a potentially tricky draw given dual-major finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and Hugo Gaston sit in his section, but on current form the Aussie would be strongly favoured against either man should he progress through the draw.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year there was a lot of uncertainty where I was even going to step on court,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t really sure and it ended up being a pretty surreal week. Now this year I feel in a really good spot mentally, physically and ready to get going. I\u2019d much rather be a top-eight seed than just outside. It\u2019s definitely a different mindset.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not surprisingly, the Aussie has no doubt who the players to beat are given the dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz in majors.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, right now, they are the two players to beat, right? They\u2019ve shown it. That\u2019s the challenge for us. We\u2019ve got to do our best to rise up to the challenge and take it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, for me, it\u2019s about putting myself in the right positions, giving myself those opportunities, those chances, and if I\u2019m playing either Carlos or Jannik, it means I\u2019m in a good spot in the tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexei Popyrin was a big hit last year in New York when ending Djokovic\u2019s defence in the third round and will have the chance to upset another defending champion in Sinner should both men progress to the second round.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously I have great feelings coming in here after the great summer I had last year, winning in Montreal and then coming in here and making the second week for the first time. I have good vibes here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not seeded this week, which is a bit of a change after the past 12 months. You have less privileges on the practice courts and things like that, which I kind of forgot about … but I feel the most mentally fresh and mentally happy that I have over the past year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Sydneysider, who returned to form after a horror Wimbledon outing when reaching the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open earlier in August, revealed in New York he has been disconnecting from tennis by reading George Orwell\u2019s novel 1984, a timely read in the US.<\/p>\n
\u201cI stopped completely (after Wimbledon). I spoke to my team and said, \u2018Let\u2019s take a minimum two weeks off and see how you feel after those two weeks\u2019,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy fiancee and I went to Bermuda and I started reading and have read five books in the last month, so I have definitely reset. I am definitely coming in feeling really, really happy with where I am and I feel like I will be back to where I am quite soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
And as for the potential challenge of tackling Sinner?<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not too worried about it, honestly. If you want to win one of these tournaments, you have to beat one of these players at some point,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust because I don\u2019t have a number (a seeding) in front of my name, it is a round earlier than what it could have been. It is what it is. I know my game. I know how I can play. I know the trouble I can cause those players.\u201d<\/p>\n
He will play Emil Ruusuvuori, who is returning to tennis after a lengthy break. The Finnish player has spoken about his extended battle with mental health and Popyrin said he has \u201ca lot of respect\u201d for the honesty his rival has shown when talking about the issue.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The US Open begins on Sunday with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner locked in a battle for the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4284,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[2353,443,2338,1340,447,458,2346,2348,2361,137,2356,425,2318,897,2324,2352,883,2355,617,1297,2360,834,545,2331,114,2325,2362,2336,115,2328,2333,554,2329,2335,366,2319,2350,259,833,435,450,2349,782,2332,2339,2321,2341,1239,2364,270,84,2323,2326,411,427,836,913,139,912,2359,254,2343,2351,2317,907,2365,736,2330,2340,1462,120,2363,2334,118,2354,2357,893,2345,434,456,2322,552,2342,2327,2344,2347,1738,2337,2320,566,547,463,747,423,2358],"class_list":["post-4283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-us-open","tag-academy-run","tag-agence-france-presse","tag-alex-corretja","tag-all-england-club","tag-america","tag-asia","tag-australian-contingent","tag-baseball-game","tag-beautiful-tennis","tag-billie-jean-king","tag-boston-red-sox","tag-canada","tag-canadian-newcomer","tag-casper-ruud","tag-chief-rival","tag-china","tag-cincinnati","tag-contaminated-sleeping-medication","tag-courtney-walsh","tag-defending-champion","tag-dual-major-finalist","tag-eastern-asia","tag-eastern-europe","tag-english-journalist","tag-europe","tag-family-home","tag-favourite-doona-cover","tag-fledgling-rivalry","tag-france","tag-game-styles","tag-george-orwell","tag-getty-images-inc","tag-gold-medal-playoff","tag-golden-generation","tag-grand-slam","tag-heir-apparent","tag-highest-earning-active-player","tag-hugo-gaston","tag-incredible-around-the-net-shot","tag-italy","tag-james-duckworth","tag-juan-carlos-ferraro","tag-juan-carlos-ferrero","tag-leading-contenders","tag-london","tag-mark-hodgkinson","tag-matches-compelling","tag-mats-wilander","tag-montreal","tag-naomi-osaka","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-yankees","tag-night-epics","tag-north-america","tag-northern-america","tag-northern-europe","tag-norway","tag-novak-djokovic","tag-ohio","tag-pamela-smith","tag-paris","tag-peers-failing","tag-period-world","tag-point-tournaments","tag-poland","tag-practice-courts","tag-practice-session","tag-pretty-surreal","tag-probable-rival","tag-quebec","tag-rafael-nadal","tag-real-flash","tag-rivalry-blossoms","tag-roger-federer","tag-semifinal-appearance","tag-shanghai","tag-singles-draw","tag-smiling-teenager","tag-southern-europe","tag-spain","tag-talking-points","tag-tennis-championships","tag-tennis-player","tag-thrust-swords","tag-tier-events","tag-titled-being-carlos-alcaraz","tag-top-players","tag-top-ranking","tag-top-eight-seed","tag-united-kingdom","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-us-open","tag-venus-williams","tag-western-europe","tag-wim-fissette"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4283","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4283"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4283\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4283"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4283"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}