Time once again for the US Open, which kicks off Saturday, Aug. 23 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with “Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day.” And a wide open field it is, particularly on the men’s side.
The big news is that Rafael Nadal’s out due to a wrist injury that has kept him from competing since Wimbledon. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic – who hit the trifecta of Ws (Wimbledon, world No. 1, wedding) in early July – experienced a letdown at the start of the hard court season. And Andy Murray’s still on the comeback trail, having had back surgery late last year.
That means the big four are more like the big two – Djokovic and the resurgent Roger Federer, who just turned 33.
They’ll be seeded in opposite brackets, setting up a showdown in the final. But they could be challenged by any of the young guns who’ve played well of late, including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Grigor Dimitrov andMilos Raonic.
For more on the men, and women, to watch at the Open, visit usopen.org and check out WAG’s interview with coach Nick Bollettieri in the August “Power Play” issue. And look for more tennis musings on my blog at thegamesmenplay.com. – Georgette Gouveia
