Djokovic Targets Grand Slam At The US Open; All You Need To Know

  • Posted: Aug 23, 2021

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will arrive at the US Open aiming to create even more history as he bids to become just the second male player in the Open Era alongside Rod Laver in 1969 to capture a Grand Slam in New York.

The Serbian, who last lifted the title at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in 2018, has claimed the first three major championships of the year, drawing level with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on 20 majors after his Wimbledon triumph in July.

A fourth US Open crown would also move the 34-year-old ahead of his rivals onto 21 major championships, but despite Federer and Nadal’s absence, the 85-time tour-level titlist will face stern competition in New York.

Last year’s finalist Alexander Zverev ended Djokovic’s hopes of clinching his first Olympic singles gold medal when the 24-year-old downed the top seed in the semi-finals in Tokyo, before going on to defeat Karen Khachanov in the final. Zverev is currently on an 11-match winning streak as he backed up his triumph in Asia by capturing the Western & Southern Open title in Cincinnati.

Daniil Medvedev will be the second seed and will return to Flushing Meadows with fond memories, having enjoyed a run to his first major final there in 2019. The 25-year-old, who lifted the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers trophy earlier this month, will be targeting a maiden major alongside Zverev at the US Open.

Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas has collected a tour-leading 48 wins this year and will also pose a threat, but he has never advanced past the third round in his three previous main draw appearances in New York.

Here’s all you need to know about the US Open: what is the schedule, where to watch, who has won and more.

Established: 1881

Tournament Dates: 30 August-12 September 2021

Tournament Director: Stacey Allaster

Draw Ceremony: Thursday 26 August at 12:00 p.m.

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View Schedule (View On Official Website)
* Qualifying: Tuesday, 24 August – Friday, 27 August at 11:00 a.m.
* Main Draw: Monday, 22 August – Sunday, 12 September, Monday – (second) Monday 11:00 a.m and 7:00 p.m., (second) Tuesday-Friday, 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Saturday 12:00 p.m., Sunday 4:00 p.m.
* Doubles Final: TBC.
* Singles Final: Sunday, 12 September at 4:00 p.m.

How To Watch
TV 
Schedule

Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
Surface: Hard

Prize Money: Total Financial Commitment: $57,500,000

View Who Is Playing, Past Champions, Seeds, Points & Prize Money Breakdown

Honour Roll (Open Era)
Most Titles, Singles: Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras (5)
Most Titles, Doubles: Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, Daniel Nestor (5)
Oldest Champion: Ken Rosewall, 35, in 1970
Youngest Champion: Pete Sampras, 19, in 1990
Highest-Ranked Champion: No. 1 Jimmy Conners in 1974, 1976, 1978, John McEnroe in 1981, 1984, Ivan Lendl in 1986-87, Pete Sampras in 1996, Roger Federer in 2004-07, Rafael Nadal in 2010, 2017, Novak Djokovic in 2011, 2015
Lowest-Ranked Champion: No. 20 Andre Agassi in 1994
Last Home Champion: Andy Roddick in 2003
Most Match Wins: Jimmy Connors (98)

2020 Finals
Singles: [2] Dominic Thiem (AUT) d [5] Alexander Zverev (GER) 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(6) Read More
Doubles: Mate Pavic (CRO) / Bruno Soares (BRA) d Wesley Koolhof (USA) / Nikola Mektic (CRO) 7-5, 6-3 Read More

Social
Hashtag: #USOpen
Facebook: @usopentennis
Twitter: @usopen
Instagram: @usopen

Did You Know?
The US Open bears little resemblance to the tournament that started in 1881. It has evolved from an exclusive men’s singles and doubles tournament in Newport, R.I., to a two-week sports and entertainment extravaganza held in Flushing, N.Y. It is home to the Arthur Ashe stadium, which with a capacity of 23,771, is the largest tennis-specific stadium in the world.

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