New York, NY — As the US Open enters its final week, tennis fans are witnessing a tournament filled with surprises and shifts in the sport’s power dynamics. The first week alone has seen some of the biggest names in tennis fall early, setting the stage for an unpredictable conclusion.
In a surprising turn of events, both Novak Djokovic and defending women’s champion Coco Gauff were ousted in the early rounds. Djokovic, one of the most dominant figures in tennis for over two decades, and Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Wimbledon champion, were both eliminated sooner than expected. ESPN commentator and former top-five player Mary Joe Fernandez noted that the Olympic year’s packed schedule, which included transitions from French Open clay to Wimbledon grass and back to clay for the Olympics, may have taken a toll on these top players.
“Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic were spent; they didn’t have much left in the tank,” Fernandez said. “For Coco Gauff, it was a tough day at the office. She struggled with her serve, committing 19 double faults, which ultimately led to her defeat at the hands of fellow American Emma Navarro, who is having the best season of her career.”
The early exits of these tennis giants signal a potential “Changing of the Guard” in the sport. For the first time since 2002, none of the “Big Three” — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, or Novak Djokovic — will win a major. With top seed Jannik Sinner still in the draw and three Americans remaining, the tournament is now wide open. Sinner, who won the Australian Open earlier this year, is considered the favorite to take the title, but he faces a tough challenge from American Tommy Paul, who has had an impressive season.
Fernandez emphasized the excitement surrounding the emergence of new talent, particularly highlighting the performances of Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe from the United States. “Sinner and Alcaraz are the new guard, the ones winning the majors this season. It’s exciting, and we’ll see if one of the Americans can do something special and break the drought,” she said, referencing Andy Roddick’s victory in 2003, the last time an American male won the US Open.
On the women’s side, American players Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro continue to impress. Pegula advanced after a strong performance, setting up a potential showdown with world number one Iga Świątek. Fernandez believes that Pegula’s powerful game suits the hard courts of the US Open, giving her a real chance to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal.
Navarro, who was ranked outside the top 50 just a year ago, has rapidly climbed the rankings and now finds herself close to breaking into the top 10. “Her game is very complete, and she’s got the belief that she belongs,” Fernandez said, expressing confidence in Navarro’s chances as she prepares to face Paula Badosa in the next round.
As the tournament progresses, fans are eager to see whether the new generation of tennis stars will seize their moment or if veteran players will defy expectations and reclaim their dominance. With so much at stake, the final week of the US Open promises to be as thrilling as it is unpredictable.