Few things have captivated tennis fans quite like the still-emerging but growing rivalry between the two best men’s players in the world: Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. They have played four times; each has won twice. Alcaraz came out on top after their five-set thriller in this year’s Wimbledon final, though Djokovic retaliated in Cincinnati a few weeks ago, winning what many call the greatest non-major match in ages in three brutally tight sets .
The number one ranking in the world, currently held by Alcaraz, is not really at stake here: assuming Djokovic wins his first match, due to the complicated way tennis determines rankings, he will revert to number one. This is pure bragging. It should be noted, however, that while one of Djokovic’s many virtues is his total imperturbability and consistency, Alcaraz has been somewhat erratic lately – and here faces a much more difficult path to the final, with 2021 Open champion Danil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner (whose career record against Alcaraz is a healthy 3-3), and Alexander Zverev are all on his side of the draw. (For the record: Djokovic is playing tonight, Alcaraz tomorrow night.)
There are of course other very talented men competing for the title; The fact is, however, that Alcaraz and Djokovic are in a league of their own – at least when they’re both perfectly healthy and playing – and their past matches have been so brilliant that virtually anyone is willing to meet them in what could be a final. for the ages. Just because of their respective draws here, the stars seem to be aligned for Djokovic to capture a fourth Open title and his record of 24th Grand Slam.
An exciting game tonight
First round match to watch tonight: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Milos Raonic. Tsitsipas is placed 7th but inconsistent; Raonic is plagued with injuries, but is dangerous when he gets healthy, as he appears to be now.
A relatively open women’s field
On the women’s side, the playing field is much more open than on the men’s side. Iga Swiatek, the world number one and defending Open champion, is about to repeat this – and a month or so ago may have been seen as a lock to do so. A number of significant setbacks since then – especially at the hands of Americans Jessie Pegula (seeded third) and Coco Gauff (seeded sixth), who are currently both riding rockets – make this tournament almost wide open, especially when you look at this year’s numbers. adds up. Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka, seeded second, in that elite field. If Swiatek wants to make it to the final, she will have to go through fourth seed Elena Rybakina, last year’s Wimbledon champion. As fifth placed Ons Jabeur, the eternal bridesmaid so far, she will also want to qualify for a final. So yes: it is one of the above. I’m going to go out and mention this one for Sabalenka: Sure, she already has one Slam, but she’s been this close a number of times and is still hungry and still swinging at the fences.
First Round Matches to Watch: Rybakina played the formidable Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the first round, today at 2:15 PM ET in the stands. If she hopes to go deep, Rybakina has to watch out for an early disturbance here. Many eyes will also be on wild card (and former number one and Grand Slam champion) Caroline Wozniacki, who faces Tatiana Prozorova in the first Slam match of her comeback on Monday night.
Important anniversaries
Let’s also acknowledge two major anniversaries that mark this year’s Open: In 1970, a group of female players, soon to be known as the Original 9, led by Billie Jean King, frustrated by both the sexism and lack of financial opportunity for female pros, their own tour; three years later, the Women’s Tennis Association was formed, with King as president, and thanks to both King and the power of the WTA, the US Open that year awarded women equal prize money to men for the first time. Fifty years later, both King’s work and the collective strength of the brave female players who put their careers on the line are gone. recognized around the world.
