All Set For The 2022 US Open

This is an article ‘All Set For The 2022 US Open’ by Marc Pulisci

With the year's final Grand Slam just a few days away, many unanswered concerns are still up in the air during the event run-up. From who will be the top pick among experts to win the U.S. Open title to which players are currently coping with injuries, upcoming events at Flushing Meadows keep tennis fans and players alike on the edge of their seats.

All the favorites are anticipated based on this year's betting odds for men's tennis. ATP number six Novak Djokovic of Serbia leads everyone with a +150 score, followed by Russia's Daniil Medvedev (+250); Spain's Carlos Alcaraz (+330) and Rafael Nadal (+600); American Taylor Fritz (+2000); Australian Nikolai Kyrgios (+2500); and returning Swiss legend Roger Federer (+3500).

Of course, it's unwise to discount big-name players such as Norway's Casper Ruud, Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas, or Russia's Andrey Rublev, who are all in the ATP top ten. The same goes for the women's roster, with Poland's Iga Swiatek emerging as the top favorite among bettors with a +200 score, followed by Japan's Naomi Osaka (+500); Romania's Simona Halep (+1200); Britain's Emma Raducanu (+1200); Canada's Bianca Andreescu (+1400); and Americans Coco Gauff (+1600) and Serena Williams (+1800).

Given the odds, here are more issues to ponder as the U.S. Open prepares to give the green light from August 29 to September 11:

Injury and participation concerns

Fans following Spanish champion Rafael Nadal know he has been in excellent form before his shocking retirement from the Wimbledon semifinals. The culprit: a torn abdominal muscle. Most tennis fans had anticipated a match-up pitting Nadal and Djokovic in another classic final.

Unfortunately, the Spaniard had to bow out from the tournament after wrapping up this year's first two Grand Slams in his trophy case. The big question now is whether Nadal will be fit to be a contender in the U.S. Open, given his continuing battle with Mueller-Weiss syndrome– a rare condition that causes severe arch pain on the inside of one's mid and hindfoot. The good news is that the Spaniard has already returned to training, but the bad news is that no one can tell if he is in enough shape to win his 23rd Grand Slam title on the U.S. Open hard court.

Meanwhile, Nadal's co-legend (who is also hounded by chronic injuries for years), Roger Federer, continues to keep things about his future career plans uncertain. At 41, many are wondering if the champion would decide to be back this summer after losing his quarterfinal match at Wimbledon 2021. The Swiss star has also been dealing with persistent knee injuries over the years. Given his years of active play, concerns about his ability to perform competitively have been on the minds of many tennis fans.

However, we're sure that we haven't seen the last of Federer yet, as he has confirmed his participation in September's Laver Cup with Nadal. What keeps his fans hoping for his Grand Slam return is his continued rehabilitation and updates via Instagram, where we can see the desire to get back on the competitive court. But, given Federer's current condition, it's improbable that we'll see him at the U.S. Open this year.

Will Djokovic win this time?

If oddsmakers have their way, Djokovic will edge out defending champion and world number one Daniil Medvedev in this year's U.S. Open. In the most recent Wimbledon final, it was also evident how Nick Kyrigos came up short against Djokovic, who won his 21st grand slam in four sets.

However, Medvedev and a few more great players on the men's roster seem adamant about spoiling Djokovic's 22nd Grand Slam title run. That is, if he is permitted to participate.

Like his ordeal at the start of the year for the Australian Open, U.S. Open officials have imposed similar vaccination rules that might prevent the Serbian champion from competing. Previously, the 35-year-old also withdrew from several U.S. events this year, as well as the National Bank Open in Montreal recently, due to Canada's vaccine requirements.

Even though Djokovic's fate in the 2022 U.S. Open is still up in the air, days away from opening day, fans still see a silver lining from the champion's Instagram, where he shows how he is still preparing for the tournament and how he is still on its entrance list.

Is this the year the U.S. reclaims its tennis might?

Taylor Fritz, who currently holds the number 12 spot on the ATP list, may have the best chance of winning at the U.S. Open among American players who are now on the list to play this year. Many fans know that the U.S. has experienced nearly a 20-year drought for a title in the same tournament, the last being Andy Roddick's win at the 2003 championships. Aside from another American, Reilly Opelka, who is also slated to play at the U.S. Open, Fritz has a more substantial chance to advance further even after only reaching Wimbledon's quarterfinals.

U.S. fans will also look forward to the return of 23 grand slam title winner Serena Williams. Serena Williams hasn't participated in such a high-stakes tournament as the U.S. Open for far too long (if we count her first-round Wimbledon elimination). Fans know it would be incredible to watch her on the same court where she won her maiden grand slam.

However, observers had noted that Serena still lacked the level of competitiveness on the grass court. Her recent participation at the two tune-up competitions she played this August will undoubtedly aid her preparation for the U.S. Open.

Jessica Pegula and Danielle Collins, rated number seven and eight by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), expect to face formidable foes before they can reach the finals. Even though 13 men and 15 women from the U.S. have direct entry into the competition, it will be difficult for them to pull upsets against a more dominant European roster that mainly comprise the top ten lists.