The always exciting and dramatic US Open Tennis Championships began on August 19th. Many recurring stars were big favorites this year, including defending champions Novak Djokovic, who is approaching his 33rd year playing tennis, and Coco Gauff, a 20-year old recent star with a lot of talent. Another new success story is Jannik Sinner, who is the current #1 in the ATP rankings, having recently edged Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz out of the top spot.
Despite the big expectations, both defending champions were knocked out of the tournament by lower ranked players in early rounds. Djokovic lost to Alexis Popyrin in the third round, while Emma Navarro beat Gauff in the Round of 16. Sinner and Daniil Medvedev played on the 4th, with Sinner moving forward into the semi-finals. Next in the semifinals, two fiery Americans, Frances Tiafoe, and Taylor Fritz played an extensive match, and Fritz edged into the finals. Finally, Jack Draper and Sinner played, a match full of lots of drama and close rallies, with Draper vomiting twice on the court and Sinner injuring his wrist. Sinner met Fritz in the finals, and it was clear who the champion was, with Sinner winning in straight sets. The championship went to Sinner for the first time in his career.
In other news, the Eagle Rock girls tennis players Whitney (she/her), Maxine (she/her), and Payton (she/he) gave me their thoughts on the US Open, and tennis passions overall.
For Whitney, the US Open was an exciting experience for her, especially watching defending champion Coco Gauff and Emma Navarro playing, as well as her favorite men’s match, between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe. In the third set of Coco and Navrro, she was rooting for Guaff, however, like many disappointed fans, she was simply happy that another American made it through.
Her three top players are Ben Shelton, a 21-year old superstar, Jannik Sinner, world number one, Carlos Alcaraz, and Coco Gauff. In terms of her idea of Ben Shelton, she thinks that he is an inspirational young player, who, while is only 21, works hard despite not having been in the game for very long. Coco is another one of her favorites, who has played professionally since she was 15. Since she saw her beat Venus Williams, she has always been one of her greatest inspirations.
From Maxine’s point of view, the Tiafoe-Dimitrov match, which went four sets, including a tiebreaker in the second, was the most exciting part of the tournament for her.
On the men’s side, Alcaaraz and Sinner are her number ones, because of how they hustle to every ball, how there’s never a dull moment, always playing their hardest, and Swiatek and Sabalenka, the world number one and two are her top two. Swiatek, putting her all in the court, being focused and precise are just a couple of things Maxine loves about her.
Tennis clips with all of the exciting highlights were Payton’s go-to for US Open insights. For Payton, Coco Gauff is the favorite, especially one of her first matches, controversial due to constant arguments between Gauff and her opponent. Despite this, Payton loved how young yet great and experienced Coco was, with a great personality and sportsmanship.
Whitney prefers to watch and play singles, however she loves to watch doubles, especially top ranked players. To Whitney, with singles, it’s very intense and there is lots of tension, which makes it exciting and crazy. Doubles, on the other hand, is laid back, and at ease.
Maxine also loves to play singles, as well as watch it. The tennis teams’ trip to Indian Wells changed her view on doubles, as she began to realize how much she loves how the doubles partners connect and work well together. She enjoys the constant volleying, and how much faster it is than singles playing.
For Payton, doubles is her forte. Payton loves to watch volleying, due to her intense obsession with it, and Payton believes that more people on the court leads to more happening, which then also makes it more up close and intense.
From professional superstars to local icons, ERHS tennis and US Open champions all have big things to say.
Bibliography:
Augustyn, A. (2024, August 28). Novak Djokovic | Biography, grand slams, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Novak-Djokovic
Grant, T. (2024, August 28). Coco Gauff | Biography, Championships, Family, Inspirations, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Coco-Gauff
ATP Rankings. (n.d.). ATP Tour. https://www.atptour.com/en/rankings/singles
Wikipedia contributors. (2024b, September 8). Ben Shelton. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Shelton
Jannik Sinner. (n.d.). ATP Tour. https://www.atptour.com/en/players/jannik-sinner/s0ag/overview
Coco Gauff | Player stats & more – WTA Official. (n.d.). Women’s Tennis Association. https://www.wtatennis.com/players/328560/coco-gauff#bio
Comments