The 2024 US Open men’s singles draw has turned into a genuine open contest, with several top contenders now vying for the title after world number one Jannik Sinner withdrew with a knee injury. The Italian’s absence has reshaped the landscape, giving Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and a host of emerging talents a realistic shot at the trophy. Alcaraz, who has been sidelined for more than four months with a wrist problem, made his return to competitive tennis at Flushing Meadows.
The 23‑year‑old Spaniard’s comeback is highly anticipated, but questions remain about his match fitness after such a long lay‑off. Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft praised his return, noting his ability to electrify crowds with his shot‑making flair, but cautioned that his early‑round performance will be crucial. Meanwhile, 39‑year‑old Novak Djokovic is eyeing a historic 25th Grand Slam victory, which would tie him with Margaret Court for the most singles titles in the Open Era.
Djokovic’s path to the final is now theoretically smoother, as the two players who have most often thwarted him in recent majors – Sinner and Alcaraz – are either out or carrying injury concerns. However, the Serbian’s recent physical struggle at the Cincinnati Open, where he was beaten by Thiago Agustín Tirante, raises doubts about his stamina in the New York heat. Former player‑turned‑coach Ryan Harrison explained that securing the fourth seed is vital for Djokovic because it keeps him away from higher‑ranked opponents until at least the semifinals, giving him a clearer route to the final. Alexander Zverev, the reigning French Open champion, enters the tournament as the top seed – a historic first for a player who has never held the world No.
1 ranking. Zverev’s season has been a roller‑coaster: after a strong showing at Wimbledon, where he reached the final before losing to Sinner, his form dipped with early exits in Canada and a fourth‑round loss in Cincinnati.
Nevertheless, with Sinner out, Zverev now has a unique opportunity to claim his first US Open title and cement his status as a true major contender. Croft highlighted Zverev’s ability to handle pressure, citing his French Open triumph as evidence of his mental resilience. American hopefuls also feature prominently in the conversation. Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Brandon Nakashima, and Frances Tiafoe – the latter a Cincinnati finalist – are all positioned to benefit from the reshuffled draw.
Young Spaniard Rafael Jodar, who turned professional only in early 2026, has surged to world No. 11 thanks to a booming 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 he is now knocking on the door of the top ten.
Frenchman Arthur Fils, back from a back injury that sidelined him for the latter part of the 2025 season, is another dark horse. Fils possesses a powerful serve and solid groundstrokes, and his recent consistency in Masters events has sparked talk of a possible breakthrough at Flushing Meadows. The tournament’s seedings illustrate the depth of the field. In the first round, players such as Safiullin, Brooksby, and Faria will test the mettle of lower‑ranked opponents, while the second round sees match‑ups like Berrettini versus Wawrinka and Etcheverry against Landaluce.
By the quarterfinal stage, the draw could feature a showdown between Djokovic, Medvedev, Tiafoe, and Rinderknech, or a clash of Alcaraz with Shelton, Fils, or Bublik. The semifinals may pit Alcaraz against a fellow Spaniard, while Zverev could meet Auger‑Aliassime, Cobolli, De Minaur, or Fritz in the final.
Historically, defending the US Open has proven elusive; no male champion has successfully retained the title since 2008, and no player has ever won the event without first competing in either the Canada or Cincinnati tournaments. Alcaraz, currently third in the ATP Race to Turin despite missing several key events, will need to navigate a demanding schedule to keep his momentum.
If he can survive the early rounds, the tournament could produce a dramatic narrative of a young star reclaiming his place among the elite. Zverev’s journey is equally compelling. As the first player in ATP history to be seeded No. 1 at a Grand Slam without ever reaching world No.
1, he carries the weight of national expectations. His recent record – two wins since Wimbledon, a disappointing early loss in Canada, and a fourth‑round defeat to Tommy Paul in Cincinnati – suggests he must rediscover his hard‑court best quickly. The German’s powerful serve and aggressive baseline game are well‑suited to the fast New York courts, and the absence of Sinner removes a significant obstacle. The American contingent will also be keen to make a statement.
Players like Shelton, who has been in strong form this season, and the ever‑consistent Fritz, bring depth to the field. Their performances could be pivotal in shaping the latter stages of the draw, especially if they manage to upset higher‑seeded opponents. In summary, the 2024 US Open men’s singles tournament is set to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting editions in recent memory.
With Sinner out, Alcaraz returning from injury, Djokovic seeking a record‑tying 25th title, Zverev breaking new ground as top seed, and a wave of promising youngsters ready to seize their moment, the championship is truly up for grabs. Fans can stream the action contract‑free on NOW, follow live scores and highlights via the Sky Sports app, and enjoy comprehensive coverage of every match as the world’s best compete for the coveted Flushing Meadows trophy.