+ The super duel
The Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz is world number one and reigning champion in the US Open. He is also the most recent grand slam winner after beating world number two Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final. But the Serb beat Alcaraz in the final of the Cincinnati ATP tournament just over a week ago and now has the chance to take over the tennis throne from the Spaniard.
+ Djokovic welcome again
Novak Djokovic has not played the US Open since 2021 when he lost the final to Daniil Medvedev. The reason is that for the past two years, the United States did not allow entry to those who were not vaccinated against covid-19. Earlier this year, the vaccination requirement was lifted.
+ New video rating system
The US Open will be the first grand slam tournament to use a video judging system that umpires can use when players challenge a decision. There will be multiple camera angles for the referee to watch and make decisions from. The players are allowed to challenge the decision three times per set and once more in tiebreaks.
Referees can also use video to review situations involving player behavior.
The men’s tour ATP has used the system at several competitions, the women’s tour WTA, on the other hand, has never used the video judging system. The system will be on five courses at Flushing Meadows.
+ The commentary that changed tennis
51 years ago, tennis icon Billie Jean King made a significant comment after her US Open victory. She protested that she was paid $10,000 for the victory while the male winner received $15,000.
— I said then that it stinks, says the 79-year-old American now, according to AP, who also threatened to never come back to Flushing Meadows.
It ended up that from 1973, the same amount of prize money has been paid out to the ladies as to the men in the US Open. It will be recognized during the tournament now 50 years later, when the winners in the respective singles class will each receive 3 million dollars.
Coco Gauff, 19, is the big home hope in the women’s tournament. Archive image.
+ The super talent ready to succeed Williams
A year ago, tennis icon Serena Williams said goodbye to tennis after the US Open exit. Now 19-year-old Coco Gauff says she’s ready to shoulder the mantle of stardom of her U.S. compatriot, having learned how to win without playing her best.
“That’s what makes you a champion – how you do on the days when you don’t feel so good,” she says according to AFP.
Gauff has won two tournaments in August, most recently the major competition in Cincinnati where she among other things knocked out the world number one, and reigning US Open champion Iga Swiatek, Poland.
Caroline Wozniacki in a tournament in Montreal in early August. Archive image.
+ Wozniacki back
Danish star Caroline Wozniacki will play her first grand slam tournament in over three years. The former world number one, double US Open finalist, recently made a comeback after having two children.
— I am proud that we are some mothers on the tour who I believe are paving the way for future generations – it is possible to have a break, give birth and then come back, says Wozniacki.
33-year-old Wozniacki has received a wild card to the US Open and faces a qualifier in the first round.
+ The Swedish Cup
Rebecca Peterson meets Polish world number one Iga Swiatek in the first round. That match will be played at 6 p.m., Swedish time, on Monday. Mirjam Björklund, who qualified for the tournament, faces Elise Mertens, Belgium. That match will also be played on Monday.
No Swedish gentlemen participate. Mikael Ymer, Sweden’s best men’s player in recent years, announced on Friday that he is retiring after being suspended for violating doping rules.