Today marks the beginning of the first round of the US Open, where the world’s best players are battling it out in New York for Grand Slam glory. Novak Djokovič will kick off his quest for a fifth crown at Flushing Meadows as he faces Moldovan Radu Albot. Coco Gauff will start her title defense against Frenchwoman Varvara Gračeva.
In the men’s draw, all eyes will be on the match between Djokovič and Albot. Djokovič, who recently won a gold medal at the Olympics in Paris, is aiming to secure his 25th major title and surpass Margaret Court’s record. The 37-year-old tennis star is determined to break the trend of no man successfully defending their title in New York since 2008.
Djokovič expressed his motivation and competitive spirit, stating, „People ask me: ‚You’ve basically won everything with the gold medal, what else can you win?‘ I still feel that desire. I still have a competitive spirit. I still want to further engrave myself in history and enjoy myself on the tour. I still hope to inspire many young people to watch tennis and play it.“
On the other side of the net, Albot, ranked 138th in the world, earned his spot in the main draw through the qualifiers for the tenth time in his career. Although Djokovič and Albot have never faced each other on the ATP Tour, Albot is relishing the opportunity to compete against one of the greatest players of all time.
In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff will be looking to rediscover her form after early exits in Paris, Toronto, and Cincinnati. As the defending champion, Gauff acknowledges the pressure but sees it as a privilege. She is excited to be back and hopes to enjoy a successful two weeks at the tournament.
Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion, will face Priscilla Hon in her quest to become the first woman since Angelique Kerber in 2016 to win two major titles in a single year on hard courts.
The schedule for the first day of the US Open features exciting matchups on the main courts. From Ben Shelton vs. Dominic Thiem to Varvara Gracheva vs. Coco Gauff, tennis fans can expect thrilling action throughout the day. With a mix of established stars and rising talents, the tournament promises to deliver high-quality tennis and memorable moments for fans around the world.
