After a record-breaking Fan Week—which included a wildly popular new mixed-doubles event—the main draws of the 145th US Open, the year’s final Grand Slam, began yesterday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. There were no major upsets, except for Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi’s stunning five-set win over 13th seed and 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev. The match took a strange turn in the third set when a cameraman wandered onto the court between Bonzi’s first and second serves at match point. The chair umpire gave Bonzi another first serve to make up for the disruption, which sent Medvedev into a rage. He riled up the crowd against the decision, causing a nearly six-minute delay. Bonzi lost that game, the set, and the next one, but eventually pulled off the win in the fifth set—prompting Medvedev to smash his racquet, something he’s been doing a lot lately.

For the top players, the start of the actual tournament is a welcome break. Last week, many were racing around the city for sponsor events: Aryna Sabalenka hosted a tequila party; Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys, and Sloane Stephens played in a pickleball tournament; Vogue hit balls with Wilson-sponsored players Marta Kostyuk and Alex de Minaur at a new tennis club near our offices, and with Jessica Pegula at a Chase Sapphire and Racquet magazine event on a pop-up court at the South Street Seaport. We also caught up with Alcaraz at Babolat’s 150th anniversary party, co-hosted by Racquet, and got tips from Frances Tiafoe’s coach, David Witt, at a Grey Goose event while avoiding Honey Deuce cocktails. It was a tiring week for everyone, including me—but it makes you wonder: Why don’t more players use this pre-Open attention to support their foundations and charity work? (More on that later…)

Now that the tournament is underway, two questions are on tennis fans’ minds: Will we see another epic final between world number one Jannik Sinner and number two Carlos Alcaraz? And if so, who wins? We’ll get to that soon, but first, let’s look at the women’s draw.

Sabalenka, last year’s champion, and Iga Swiatek are the top two seeds, though Swiatek has been on a hotter streak lately, winning both Wimbledon and the Cincinnati warm-up. Surprisingly, they’ve never faced each other in a final. Sabalenka may have the tougher path: she’ll likely need to beat Jasmine Paolini or Elena Rybakina in the quarters, and Jessica Pegula or Mirra Andreeva (returning from an ankle injury) in the semis. Swiatek’s biggest challenges likely come later, against Coco Gauff—who just changed her coaching team hoping to break out of a slump—or Madison Keys. For a potential upset, watch Paolini, who’s been inconsistent but strong lately, or 18-year-old Canadian standout Victoria Mboko, who plays her opener today against Barbora Krejcikova.

While we’re hoping Coco shakes off her late-season struggles and rises to the occasion in New York, the smart money is on a Sabalenka-Swiatek final—a thrilling clash of fire (Sabalenka) and ice (Swiatek). Just for fun, we’ll pick Swiatek to win.

On the men’s side, Alcaraz has a tougher road to the final. He starts tonight against 6’11” serve specialist Reilly Opelka in the first round. Alcaraz should win, but no one wants to face that kind of power right out of the gate.That’s a tough early match in a Grand Slam. If he gets through it, he could meet either Ben Shelton or Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, and possibly Novak Djokovic in the semis. Sinner, meanwhile, might face Alexander Zverev or Alex de Minaur in the semifinals. He has some strong opponents early on, but none who seem likely to stop him from going for a second straight title here.

As for Djokovic, who may have his last great shot at a 25th major title at this tournament: his draw isn’t the worst, but he’ll probably have to get past either Tiafoe or Holger Rune before a likely semifinal against Alcaraz. If his opening match against the promising young player Learner Tien is any indication, though, his fitness might be a concern.

Ultimately, we’re all hoping for the dream final we’ve imagined. In the meantime, enjoy the tennis! If you’re in or near New York and haven’t already secured tickets for the big matches, grab a day pass and spend an afternoon this week wandering the outer courts for the early rounds. (Insider tip: keep an eye on Court 17—it often has the perfect mix of smaller crowds and big-name players.)

This year’s tournament marks the 75th anniversary of Althea Gibson breaking tennis’ color barrier at the 1950 US Open. If Gibson isn’t yet a household name like other trailblazers such as Billie Jean King and Arthur Ashe, she deserves to be—and hopefully will be soon. The Open is doing the right thing by honoring her huge contribution to the sport and to American culture. Look for her image on signs, programs, and official tournament artwork, and help spread the word.

We’ll see you there.

Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About The US Open

Q1 What is the US Open
A The US Open is one of the four major annual tennis tournaments held in late August and early September in New York It features top players competing in singles doubles and mixed doubles

Q2 When and where is the US Open held
A It takes place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows New York usually from late August to early September

Q3 How can I watch the US Open
A In the US its broadcast on ESPN and the Tennis Channel Streaming options include ESPN and international viewers can check local sports networks

Q4 Who are the favorites to win this year
A Top contenders often include players like Novak Djokovic Carlos Alcaraz and Iga witek but form injuries and surprises can always shift predictions

Q5 Whats special about the US Open compared to other Grand Slams
A Its known for its lively atmosphere night matches under lights hard court surface and being the final Grand Slam of the year

Q6 How do players qualify for the US Open
A Players qualify via world rankings wild cards or through a qualifying tournament held just before the main event

Q7 What is a hard court and how does it affect play
A Hard courts are made of acrylic layers on asphalt or concrete They provide a mediumfast pace favoring powerful servers and aggressive baseline players

Q8 Are there any new rules or changes for this years tournament
A Check the official US Open website for updates but common recent changes include electronic line calling and adjusted scheduling formats

Q9 What should I know if Im attending in person
A Arrive early wear comfortable clothing stay hydrated and familiarize yourself with the venue layout and bag policy for a smooth experience

Q10 Who are some past champions or memorable moments
A Legends like Serena Williams Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have won multiple titles Memorable moments include epic matches and breakthrough performances by newcomers