The 2024 US Open men’s singles draw has turned into an open field, with several top contenders now vying for the title after world No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew due to a knee problem.
The absence of the Italian, combined with the lingering concerns surrounding Carlos Alcaraz’s wrist recovery, has reshaped the tournament’s dynamics and created a genuine opportunity for veteran Novak Djokovic and a host of other hopefuls. Alcaraz, who has been sidelined for more than four months with a wrist injury, made his return to competitive tennis at Flushing Meadows.
Although his physical condition appears improved, questions remain about how quickly he can regain match sharpness after such a lengthy lay‑off. The Spaniard’s return is a major storyline, but his form will likely be tested by the fast hard courts and the unforgiving New York heat. At 39, Novak Djokovic sees perhaps his most favorable window in years to claim a historic 25th Grand Slam singles title. A victory would not only extend his own record but also allow him to surpass Margaret Court’s all‑time tally of 24 major wins, cementing his place at the very top of tennis history.
Djokovic’s recent performance at the Cincinnati Open, where he fell in the second round to Thiago Agustín Tirante, raised concerns about his stamina in the sweltering conditions that often characterize the US Open. Nevertheless, the Serbian remains confident that a fourth seed will protect him from meeting another top‑four player before the semifinals, giving him a clearer path to the final. The draw itself is a tapestry of seasoned champions and emerging talents. In the early rounds, players such as Danilo Safiullin, Brandon Brooksby, and Lorenzo Arnaldi have already secured victories, while the middle rounds feature match‑ups like Bublik versus Paul and Shelton against Fils.
By the quarterfinal stage, the field narrows to a mix of established names—Djokovic, Medvedev, Tiafoe, Nakashima—and rising stars such as Alexander Zverev, who is seeded first after his French Open triumph, and his compatriot Auger‑Aliassime. Zverev’s journey to the US Open is particularly intriguing. The German captured the French Open title earlier in the season and reached his first Wimbledon final, where he was bested by Sinner.
Since then, his results have been mixed: an early exit in Canada and a fourth‑round loss to Tommy Paul in Cincinnati. Yet, with Sinner out, Zverev becomes the first player in ATP history to be the top seed at a Grand Slam without ever having held the world No. 1 ranking. This unique circumstance could motivate him to rediscover the hard‑court form that made him a contender in previous years.
American hopefuls also have a chance to shine. Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Brandon Nakashima, and Frances Tiafoe—all beneficiaries of the Italian’s withdrawal—are positioned to make deep runs. The tournament also showcases the next generation: Spaniard Rafael Jodar, who turned professional only in early 2026, has already vaulted to world No. 11 thanks to a ferocious forehand and aggressive baseline play.
Jodar made history as the first player born in 2006 or later to reach a Masters 1000 semifinal at the Canadian Open, and his rapid ascent from outside the top 500 a year ago to the brink of the top 10 is a testament to his rapid development. France’s own Arthur Fils, returning from a back injury that sidelined him for the latter part of the 2025 season, is another storyline to watch. Since his comeback in February, Fils has displayed a potent serve and solid groundstrokes, earning him a place in the later stages of the draw.
Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft praised his consistency and character, suggesting he could become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Yannick Noah’s 1983 triumph. The tournament’s seedings also highlight strategic considerations. As former player‑turned‑coach Ryan Harrison explained to Sky Sports Tennis, being seeded fourth is crucial for Djokovic because it keeps him out of the top‑four bracket until at least the semifinals, reducing the likelihood of facing another top‑four opponent early on.
"If you’re seeded five through eight, you could draw a higher‑ranked player in the same quarter and be forced to play them in the quarterfinals," Harrison said. "At 39, you want to control your path as much as possible." Historically, defending the US Open has proven difficult.
No male player has successfully defended the title since 2008, and no champion has ever won the event without competing in either the Canadian Open or the Cincinnati Masters beforehand. Alcaraz, currently ranked third in the ATP Race to Turin despite missing several key tournaments, faces the added pressure of living up to his previous US Open successes while still shaking off his injury rust. In summary, the 2024 US Open men’s singles field is a blend of seasoned veterans seeking to add to their legacies, hungry newcomers eager to make a mark, and a few established stars dealing with injuries or form fluctuations.
With Sinner out, Alcaraz returning, and Djokovic positioned as a potential record‑breaker, the tournament promises a compelling narrative of resilience, opportunity, and the ever‑present quest for tennis greatness. The next few weeks at Flushing Meadows will reveal whether the open field truly lives up to its promise, and which player will seize the moment to lift the iconic trophy.