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The top tennis players in the world will have to transition from the soft, grassy surfaces at Wimbledon to the hard courts at the US Open. It’s the fourth and final Grand Slam event of the season, and it should be very entertaining.
Novac Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are the obvious stars of the competition. Both veterans have a strong claim for the tennis GOAT throne, but many other players deserve your attention.
In this post, I share my list of the best US Open 2022 players to watch. I cover the men’s and women’s singles tournaments, and there are no clear criteria besides my belief the players in question will entertain us. Some are rising youngsters, others are already established, but all will deliver exciting matches.
Carlos Alcaraz
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Age: 19
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ATP Ranking: 4th
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Last Year’s Result: Quarterfinal
Many believe Alcaraz is waiting in the wings to become the next great tennis player. Although he’s yet to win a Grand Slam title, his prospects are extremely high at the tender age of 19. In 2022, Alcaraz has a singles record of 38-5, which is simply phenomenal.
It’s very probable that Alcaraz could go on a successful run at the 2022 US Open. In fact, he announced himself to the tennis world in the same tournament last year. He defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas and Peter Gojowczyk to reach the quarterfinals.
At only 19 years old, Alcaraz already has the physical tools and skills to compete for a major title. His drop shot, power strokes, and incredible court vision set him apart from the rest of the competition.
Elena Rybakina
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Age: 23
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WTA Ranking: 25th
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Last Year’s Result: Third Round
Fresh off a championship at Wimbledon, Rybakina will now try to parlay her success into another major victory. She’s currently in peak form, entering the US Open after becoming the first player from Kazakhstan to win a Grand Slam title.
Rybakina thrives when she plays strong groundstrokes and serves the ball well. She possesses all the tools to set herself up for another Grand Slam victory. However, she has a tough challenge ahead of her.
If the youngster wins another major here, she might develop into the next big champion in female tennis.
Jannik Sinner
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Age: 21
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ATP Ranking: 13th
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Last Year’s Result: Fourth Round
Like Alcaraz, Sinner burst onto the scene at a very young age. When he was only 20 years old, he went on a Cinderella run by battling his way to the fourth round of the 2021 French Open. He lost to Rafael Nadal, but not without a spectacular display of talent.
The young Italian star is also quickly climbing the ranks and establishing himself as a legitimate contender. He’s yet to win a Grand Slam title, but he’s got what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
Sinner’s an expert on clay, but he’s dangerous on hard courts too. The prodigy has the tools to upset the best in the world, so I’d definitely keep an eye on him.
Coco Gauff
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Age: 18
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WTA Ranking: 12th
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Last Year’s Result: Second Round
Gauff became a young phenom in women’s tennis when she advanced to the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2019. She was only 15 years old at the time, which is a testament to her natural abilities.
Gauff recently showcased her skills at the 2022 French Open. She made quick work of the competition and became the youngest player to reach the finals since Maria Sharapova in 2004.
After a poor showing at last year’s tournament, Gauff will try to deliver a much better performance on home soil. She’s one of the best players to watch at the US Open 2022 because she’s still young but quickly developing into a dominant player.
Daniil Medvedev
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Age: 26
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ATP Ranking: 1st
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Last Year’s Result: Champion
Medvedev is the defending champion at the US Open, and he’ll attempt to retain his title. The Russian player also currently holds the No. 1 world ranking. He defeated tennis legend Novak Djokovic in the final last year to win his first ever Grand Slam tournament.
At the 2022 Australian Open, Medvedev advanced to the final, ultimately losing to Rafael Nadal. It was the second consecutive year that Medvedev fought for the Australian Open Championship, but he was again on the losing end.
In terms of recent form, Medvedev has been a little shaky even though he sits at the top of the ATP rankings. He struggled at both the Canada Open and the Cincinnati Masters in 2022. However, defending his US Open title should provide Medvedev with extra motivation.
Taylor Fritz
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Age: 24
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ATP Ranking: 12th
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Last Year’s Result: Second Round
Fritz is on the verge of becoming an elite player, and many believe that he’s due for a major victory. The young American competitor never makes it easy for players like Nadal or Djokovic, which is a testament to his mentality.
For example, Fritz forced Nadal to play a tiebreaker in the fifth set during the quarterfinals of last month’s Wimbledon tournament. It would have been one of the biggest upsets of the year, and Fritz was within reach of pulling it off.
With plenty of natural talent, Fritz can make a successful run in any tournament. He’s one of the most underrated players to watch at the US Open. He’s capable of incredible power strokes on both his forehand and backhand. You could also argue that he’s peaking at the right time.
Nick Kyrgios
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Age: 27
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ATP Ranking: 26th
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Last Year’s Result: First Round
Kyrgios is an exciting player to watch, but he’s also unpredictable at times. He’s coming off a stellar performance at Wimbledon, advancing to the final but losing to Djokovic in four sets. It was the closest he’s ever been to winning a Grand Slam title.
Is this a sign that Kyrgios is about to fulfill his potential? We all know he’s extremely talented, but his controversial behavior has been holding him back.
The US Open 2022 will show us whether Wimbledon was a fluke or the Australian has finally matured.
Betting on the 2022 US Open
If you want to not just watch but also bet on the US Open 2022, I recommend visiting the best online betting sites.
The opportunities to earn some extra money are numerous, so make sure you’re exploring all of your options. High odds and generous promotions help maximize your profits.
