With the Rio Olympics finished, many athletes head home after competing at the pinnacle of their respective sports for their countries.
Four years of sweat, early mornings, and juggling jobs with training must pass before they get a second chance at glory in front of the world.
Yet for tennis players, it couldn’t be more different.
Barely one week will elapse before the year’s final grand slam gets underway at Flushing Meadows. The Olympics were the warm-up, a fun distraction from the regular tour grind.
Grand slams are the gold medals of tennis.
More money. More people. More prestige.
With Federer the only big name absent, here are the contenders for the men’s draw.
The favourite
It might be controversial, but favourite Andy Murray comes into this year’s tournament with more confidence than ever. Having rekindled his relationship with coach Ivan Lendl, Murray has regained the form that won him both this slam and the last Olympic gold back in 2012. His run to the final in Cincinnati last week has him breathing down Djokovic’s neck in the rankings too, which had seemed impossible back in May. If Murray takes the title here, he will lead the ATP race for the end of year world number one ranking.
Defending champ
Novak Djokovic has dabbled in a new hobby of late; losing. A third-round defeat against Sam Querrey at Wimbledon was a shock, and an opening-round loss at the Olympics was his first since 2009. Nevertheless, Djokovic will draw upon his 12 grand slam titles and vast experience to deliver a clear path to the second week, where he will look to build momentum for a third tilt at the title, a meagre total if you consider that he has made the semi-finals or better in his last nine runs. Anything short of the final will still be a surprise despite recent habits.
A fighting legend
Rafael Nadal may be down but he’s never out. It’s been more than two years since he won the 2014 French Open, and hard courts aren’t his best surface. Yet Nadal thrives on the underdog mentality. The ageing legend will have the New York crowd’s support, as they realise his tournaments here are numbered, having hit 30 this year. One of the greatest to pick up a racquet, he’s made a career out of defying the odds. He will need his forehand firing down-the-line to go deep.
Young gun
Nick Kyrgios. The name brings with it many tags; brat, disgrace, talent, entertainer. Whatever your thoughts, there’s no arguing he is a real player with the power and confidence to beat anyone, as he has already proven several times on the big stage. A kind draw and clear headspace may be all he needs to break through with the big boys. Breathe, Nick, breathe.
The quiet achiever
Milos Raonic has quietly gone about his journey to grand slam glory, letting his racquet do the talking in the hands of his 6’6” inch frame. The ‘Maple Leaf Missile’ has the serve and is developing the shots to back it up. Fresh off a run to the Wimbledon final, he will carry the aspirations of Canada and will be hard to stop before the semi-finals.
The other Swiss
Stan Wawrinka may have played most of his career in the shadows of Swiss great Roger Federer, but he has made a name for himself in recent years with two grand slams in Australia and Paris. Wawrinka has the heaviest game in men’s tennis when his backhand fires. Will need early round success to get rolling. Quarter-finals should be made.
Japan’s hope
When Kei Nishikori steps on court, he does so with the weight of a nation willing him to grand slam glory. His run to the finals here two years ago included a win over Novak Djokovic, but he fell one hurdle short to Marin Cilic. He comes into this year’s event with more experience and confidence after winning bronze in Rio.
The mercurial Croat
When Marin Cilic won here two years ago, the result was a total surprise given he had come from nowhere. The way he won though, couldn’t have been any more convincing. He smashed Federer in straight sets in the semis, and gave Nishikori similar treatment in the final. Fresh off the back of his first Masters 1000 win last week, defeating Murray in the final, he will be looking to recapture the form and confidence that delivered him the title.
The forgotten champ
Juan Martin Del Potro hasn’t enjoyed the luck with injuries his fellow top players have. After winning here in 2009 with a five-set comeback against a primed Federer, the tennis world was at the feet of the 21-year-old Argentinian. Repeated surgeries on both wrists have perhaps fanned some of the heat on his shots, but the blistering forehand and serve are still working well enough to beat Wawrinka at Wimbledon, and Djokovic at the Olympics. A favourite among fans and players alike.
Hometown hopes
John Isner has the experience and game to trouble anyone, a second week showing is on the cards.
Steve Johnson has climbed the rankings steadily since his college tennis days in 2012, now the top-ranked American, he may make the deepest run among them.
Sam Querrey has proven to everyone he has the game to beat the best, having upset Djokovic in the third round of Wimbledon. It’s not a question of talent, but consistency for the big man.
While Jack Sock can be trouble if he gets his heavy forehand hitting the mark.
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