In the best of times, the tennis draw is a slate of possibility. But all the more so of this U.S. Open, the final major of 2024. And all the more so given the events of this week. The top seed is embroiled in a doping controversy. The second seed is 37 years old and hasn’t won a sanctioned event in 2024. The third seed and winner of the previous two majors comes in on a two-match losing streak.
Still, the new Big Three of men’s tennis have won nine straight majors. And it will take an extraordinary effort to crack their hold at the top. Is Daniil Medvedev ready to get in the winner’s circle? Is Alexander Zverev ready to break his close-but-not-quite habit? Are any of the five seeded Americans ready to end Andy Roddick’s status as a trivia answer? (Name the last American male to win this—or any—major?)
