Is it a three-horse race for the U.S. Open men’s singles trophy? Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are certainly the three best players in the world right now and they have shared all of the biggest trophies in 2024.
Sinner triumphed at the Australian Open; Alcaraz captured back-to-back Grand Slam titles at the French Open and Wimbledon; Djokovic won Olympic gold for the first time in his career. Will everyone else get left out of the New York party, or is there a surprise in the cards?
Let's take a look at the best bets to be made on the men’s side at the U.S. Open before play gets underway on Monday.
- NOVAK DJOKOVIC
- ALEXANDER ZVEREV
- DANIIL MEDVEDEV
- TAYLOR FRITZ
- TOMMY PAUL
Djokovic Carrying Olympic Momentum
Djokovic could not have asked for a more ideal situation heading into the season's fourth and final major. The 37-year-old is more than two months removed from the torn meniscus that he suffered at Roland Garros, so he should be 100 percent physically.
That was already obvious, in fact, at the Paris Olympics – where he beat Alcaraz in the gold-medal match. Additionally, Djokovic is well-rested after skipping the two recent Masters 1000 tournaments and he also has a great draw in New York. Both Sinner and Alcaraz are in the top half of the bracket, so the Serb has to beat only one of those two en route to the title.
Djokovic has won 24 slams in his illustrious career, four of which have come at Flushing Meadows. A fifth U.S. Open title and 25th overall may be in the cards.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Zverev Knocking On Slam Door
Zverev is the undisputed best player in the world to have never won a major. The German has come close – multiple times, in fact. He was one set away from winning the 2020 U.S. Open but ended up losing to Dominic Thiem in a five-set thriller in front of an empty stadium during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Zverev reached a second Grand Slam final at the French Open just a couple of months ago, again losing in five sets – this time to Alcaraz. Although the competition level is steep with Sinner, Djokovic and Alcaraz dominating the tour, you have to think Zverev has at least a decent chance of finally getting over the hump.
The 27-year-old is consistently giving himself chances and his impressive 52-16 match record this season has him solidly at No. 4 in the rankings. Zverev is in the weaker bottom half of the U.S. Open draw with Djokovic, so he has every reason to make a deep run.
ALEXANDER ZVEREV
Medvedev Flying Under The Radar
Considering the relative dominance of Sinner, Djokovic and Alcaraz, Medvedev has flown under the radar this season. It’s time for him to emerge back on the scene, and the U.S. Open is exactly the place for him to do it.
This has been the Russian’s best tournament throughout his career, having captured the title in 2021 (upset Djokovic in the final) before finishing runner-up last summer (lost to Djokovic). Medvedev also advanced to the final in 2019 and lost to Rafael Nadal in a five-set marathon.
The world No. 5 should be in line for more success at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in 2024. Although he has not won a title this season, it’s not like he is playing poorly. Medvedev recently made it to the Wimbledon semis, taking out Sinner along the way. Given that he is at his best on hard courts, it would not be shocking if Medvedev went two rounds farther at the U.S. Open.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV
Fritz Has A Great Draw
Fritz’s Grand Slam history is not quite on par with that of Zverev, but the American is also knocking on the door. The world No. 12 has reached four Grand Slam quarterfinals in his career, all within the last 25 months – including at the U.S. Open last summer.
He is coming off a quarterfinal performance at Wimbledon, where his run included an upset of Zverev. Also encouraging is that Fritz has a good draw in New York… well, for the most part. He could have to play Matteo Berrettini in the second round, and the Italian is the most dangerous unseeded entrant in the entire field.
If Fritz can get past that test, however, he could be off to the races. The 26-year-old is the softest quarter of the bracket along with Zverev, crucially on the opposite side from Sinner and Alcaraz. There are plenty of legitimate American hopefuls right now (also Paul, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Sebastian Korda); Fritz could be the best hope of the bunch.
TAYLOR FRITZ
Paul A Loingshot Punt
It's generally a good idea to back some longshots at the U.S. Open. The annual final major of the season always comes at the end of a long year on tour, when not many players remain at their physical best.
That is the case to an even greater extent in 2024 since the Olympics have made for an even more grueling summer schedule. Moreover, all three of the top favorites come with at least some question marks. Sinner has been struggling with a hip injury and is now dealing with a steroid controversy. Alcaraz lost the gold-medal match and then looked worn out both mentally and physically in Cincinnati.
Djokovic is playing well but has not yet won a slam title this season. If the door is open, Paul could be the one to walk through it. The American has been outstanding in 2024, boasting a 35-14 record that has him up to 14th in the rankings.
Recent Grand Slam results include an Australian Open semifinal showing and U.S. Open fourth-round appearance in 2023 followed by a Wimbledon quarterfinal effort earlier this summer. Paul loves the big stage, so don’t be surprised if he shines in New York City.
TOMMY PAUL
