​Not truly open: on tennis and the US Open

Sport is at its best when there is a clearly established pecking order and intense competition between the hierarchical rungs. The presence of a dominant and diverse set at the top, followed by a capable and efficient mid-card, and an under-card that can upset the apple cart makes for engaging viewing. However, in recent times, the men’s and women’s tennis tours have seen a hollowing out of the middle. It is particularly stark in the men’s game where Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have pocketed the last seven Grand Slam tournaments, talents as effervescent as 2021 US Open winner Daniil Medvedev are threatening to fade away while teenaged phenoms such as Joao Fonseca are rising. At the ongoing US Open, it will be interesting to see if a class that consistently snaps at the heels of the top dogs emerges. The legendary Novak Djokovic, winner of a record 24 men’s Slams, has made three semifinals in as many Majors in 2025. The 38-year-old is still good, but the question is if he is good enough to go all the way. Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton, No. 4 and No. 6 respectively, are out to end the United States of America’s 22-year wait for a male Slam winner even as Alexander Zverev will be desperate to prove that his No. 3 ranking is not an anomaly.

Among women, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff have combined to win 10 of the last 14 Majors. Though the trio’s hold at the top is not as water-tight as the Alcaraz-Sinner duopoly, they are the players to beat. World No. 1 Sabalenka, a finalist this year at both the Australian Open and the French Open and a semifinalist at Wimbledon, will be eager to defend her title at Flushing Meadows and avoid a Major-less season. Swiatek, who resurrected her career at the All England Club in July after a year-long slump, has continued her fine touch, winning a key US Open tune-up event in Cincinnati. Gauff has had a forgettable time since securing the Roland-Garros crown but the home setting in New York should energise her. It will be intriguing to watch who among Jessica Pegula (2024 US Open runner-up), Jasmine Paolini, Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina — the 2022 Wimbledon champion — and Emma Navarro turn out to be the challengers. Also of interest will be 18-year-old sensation Mirra Andreeva. The Russian won Dubai and Indian Wells, broke into the top-10, made back-to-back quarterfinals at the French Open and Wimbledon, and is now World No. 5. The cream has risen to the top. Will it stay there?