Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff will commence their title defences at the US Open on Monday, marking the beginning of their 2024 Grand Slam campaigns.
According to details, Djokovic, seeded second behind world number one Jannik Sinner, aims to build on his emotional Paris Olympics victory and secure his first Grand Slam title of the year.
Djokovic is looking to become the first man to repeat at the US Open since Roger Federer’s five consecutive wins from 2004 to 2008.
"Hopefully that changes this year," Djokovic said about his aspirations. The 37-year-old, whose 24 Grand Slam titles tie him with Margaret Court for the most of all time, is determined to end a year plagued by injury and potential Grand Slam absence. He will be under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium to face Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot.
Coco Gauff, who has experienced a dip in form since winning her first major last year, will close the afternoon session against France’s 66th-ranked Varvara Gracheva.
Austrian Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, will compete against 13th-seeded American Ben Shelton, who is looking to build on his impressive semi-final run from the previous year. Thiem, who plans to retire at the end of 2024, might be making his final Grand Slam appearance if Shelton prevails. The US Open title drought for American men extends over two decades, dating back to Andy Roddick's win in 2003.
US players Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe were also in action on Monday. Fritz, the 12th seed, faced Camilo Ugo Carabelli, while 20th seed Tiafoe, coming off a runner-up finish at the Cincinnati Masters, competed against Aleksandar Kovacevic. Shelton expressed optimism about ending the US Open title drought: “I think it’s inevitable that we will have a Grand Slam champion from our country.”
Other notable matches included Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, seeded second behind Iga Swiatek, taking on Australian qualifier Priscilla Hon, and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova facing Spain’s Marina Bassols Ribera. In early action, Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekic advanced to the second round with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Australian qualifier Kimberly Birrell.
There was disappointment for ninth-seeded Maria Sakkari, who retired due to a shoulder injury after dropping the first set to China’s Wang Yafan. Sakkari has not reached the second week of a major since the 2022 Australian Open.
