At the top of the men’s game in 2024, there was a three-way fight, but by the end of the US Open, there’s a good probability that two of those three stars will be falling in the ATP Rankings.
Jannik Sinner had an incredible start to 2024 when he won titles in Rotterdam and Miami after taking home his maiden Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open. Whatever happens in the US Open, the Italian’s recent run of success has propelled him to the top of the world rankings, and it appears that he will remain there for some time.
Over the next two weeks, Djokovic cannot increase his ATP point total since he is defending 2,000 points from his victory at the US Open last year. Failure to successfully defend the title will cause Djokovic to fall in the rankings.
Alexander Zverev can move up to No. 2 in the rankings, which is where the German is now ranked in the live ATP Rankings, thanks to Alcaraz and Djokovic’s struggles to hold onto their positions at the final major of 2024.
Zverev went out of the US Open after a defeat against Alcaraz in the quarter-finals last year, so he has a chance to improve on that in 2024 and he started his campaign in New York on Monday with a 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2 win against fellow Germany Maximilian Marterer.
Zverev is in the opposite half of the draw to Sinner and Alcaraz, so he would not meet either of those until the final.
He does face the prospect of a match-up with Djokovic if both players reach the semi-finals and if that transpires, he will have a chance to seal the No 2 ranking in the ATP list.
Former British No 1 Tim Henman made a bold prediction that Zverev may emerge from a US Open draw that is unpredictable after a hectic few weeks of action that included the Olympic Games.
With Sinner struggling to work through his hip problem and avoid the noise around his failed drug test controversy, there are doubts over the Italian’s focus and fitness at the US Open.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz and Djokovic may be jaded after their Olympic heroics, with tennis legend John McEnroe suggesting that could open the door for a player like Zverev to win his first Grand Slam.
“You have Sinner with all the stuff going on around him, Alcaraz coming back from everything he has achieved and Novak going in after finally winning the Olympics. That’s why I say the door is open for a surprise winner at this US Open,” McEnroe said as he joined the Eurosport team at the US Open.
Having said that, I’d still probably pick one of the three guys (Sinner, Alcaraz or Djokovic) to win the title.”
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