The 2024 U.S. Open has showcased a variety of up-and-coming players who have defeated long-standing players. From Novak Djokovic being defeated by Botic van de Zandschulp to Coco Gauff being defeated by Emma Navarro, newer names are rising to the top of the ranks, leaving fans excited to see fresh athletes claiming the U.S. Open title.
In the men’s singles tournament, the two top-leading athletes in the series were defeated in early rounds. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, the winner of the 2024 Wimbledon Championship, was defeated by Botic van de Zandschulp of Netherlands in the second round. Zandschulp was heavy on attacking at the net and had been successful at all eight of his approaches when Alcaraz started serving. Alcaraz, on the other hand, continued to miss drop shots and made forehand errors, losing 1-6, 5-7 and 4-6.
“It was a fight against myself, you know, in my mind during the match,” Alcaraz said in a post-match interview. “In tennis, you are playing against someone that wants the same as you, to win the match, and you have to be as calm as you can just to think better in the match and try to do good things.”
Novak Djokovic of Serbia, the previous winner of the 2023 U.S. Open men’s singles tournament, lost in the third round to Alexei Popyrin, marking his quickest loss since 2006. With 14 double faults, Djokovic lost to Alexei Popyrin of Australia with a score of 4-6, 4-6, 6-2 and 4-6. This was an upsetting defeat for Djokovic considering that he was only one win away from achieving his goal of being the first player with 25 Grand Slams.
“It was just an awful match for me,” Djokovic said to the Associated Press. “I wasn’t playing even close to my best. It’s not good to be in that kind of state where you feel OK physically, and of course you’re motivated because it’s a Grand Slam, but you just are not able to find your game.”
For women’s singles, American Emma Navarro defeated fellow countrywoman Coco Gauff in the fourth round of the U.S. Open with a score of 6-3, 4-6 and 6-3. Gauff totaled 19 double faults, 11 of which were from the final set alone. Still, Gauff refused to beat herself up over the loss and instead focused on how she was grateful for the various experiences gained throughout the year.
In an interview with the WTA, Gauff commented that “[s]o many people want to be in the fourth round. So many people want to make the Olympics. So many people want to be flag bearer. It’s perspective. Yeah, I expect better, but at the end of the day it happened, and I know I can turn it around.”
Many NHP fans showcase their shock in seeing their childhood tennis stars face defeat, yet are excited at the prospect of new and upcoming players taking the lead.
“It wasn’t expected by any for Alcaraz and Djokovic to be defeated, especially before the semi-finals. Watching them both be defeated was certainly shocking, but it brings a good sense of excitement to the sport,” senior tennis co-captain Anna Goldhirsh said. “It left many wondering about who would be claiming the US Open title, drawing much more attention to this year’s event. It’s not as predictable as you’d think, and I think that adds new excitement to tennis.”
“I love these three players, but it is always fun to see new and exciting players come about. I am particularly excited about the Americans,” varsity tennis coach Mr. Basil said. “Both on the women’s side and on the men’s side, players like Navarro Tiafoe are making a big difference. Just the fact that we had Americans in each of the finals says a lot about tennis coming back in this country.”
As the U.S. Open has come to a close with Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka claiming the title for men and women’s singles, respectively, fans are left in awe at the turnout. For the first time in years, none of the top names won the championship, demonstrating that anything is possible in the realm of competitive tennis.
“I think it’s exciting that untitled players were able to defeat champions like Djokovic, Alcaraz and Gauff. It proves that anything can happen in the tennis world that keeps fans on their toes,” senior tennis co-captain Jashlene Layug said.