The 2025 US Open Preview 

August 18th, 2025 by Carlota

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As the final Grand Slam of the season kicks off at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the 2025 US Open promises a feast of high-octane tennis, bold format changes, and star-studded matchups. From revamped mixed doubles to the battle for hard-court supremacy, here’s what to expect this year in Flushing Meadows.

Format Shakeups & Fan Experience

15-Day Main Draw: For the first time, singles action begins on a Sunday (Aug 24), extending the tournament to match the Australian and French Opens.

Mixed Doubles Goes Prime Time: A compressed, two-day showcase (Aug 19–20) features blockbuster pairings like Alcaraz/Raducanu and Djokovic/Danilovic. Sets are first-to-four games with no-ad scoring—expect fireworks.

Fan Week Upgrades: From Marvel giveaways to Heineken Happy Hours, the grounds are buzzing with sponsor activations, live DJ sets, and player Q&As.

Men’s Singles: Sinner vs. Alcaraz?

Jannik Sinner: The reigning US Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon champion enters as the man to beat—but his sudden retirement from the Cincinnati final due to illness has cast doubt on his readiness. After trailing 5–0 to Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner called it quits, telling fans: “I didn’t feel great… I tried to come out and make it at least a small match, but I couldn’t handle more”.

Carlos Alcaraz: Fresh off that Cincinnati win, the French Open champ looks sharp and emotionally grounded. He’s now 9–5 in head-to-heads with Sinner and could capitalize if the Italian isn’t 100%.

Novak Djokovic: At 38, he’s still a threat—especially if he uses mixed doubles to sharpen his net game.

American Hope: Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Tommy Paul headline a strong home contingent, with Fritz looking to improve on last year’s runner-up finish.

Women’s Singles: Sabalenka’s Defense, Gauff’s Homecoming

Aryna Sabalenka: The defending champ has been dominant all season and thrives under pressure.

Iga Świątek: Fresh off a Wimbledon win, she’s looking to add another US Open title to her résumé (she won the US Open back in 2022).

Coco Gauff: The 2023 champ returns with momentum and crowd support, having won the French Open earlier this year.

Dark Horses: Watch for Mirra Andreeva’s fearless shot-making, Emma Navarro’s athleticism, and Naomi Osaka’s comeback energy. Who else should we be looking at?

Mixed Doubles: Star Power Meets Chaos

This year’s mixed doubles is less about rankings and more about chemistry and charisma:

Favorites: Sara Errani & Andrea Vavassori (doubles specialists), Rybakina & Fritz (power pair), Sinner & Siniakova (if Sinner recovers in time).

Wildcards: Venus Williams & Reilly Opelka, Pegula & Draper, Osaka & Monfils—expect drama, big serves, and viral moments.

Prize Money & Broadcast

Singles Champions: $5 million each

Mixed Doubles Winners: $1 million—unprecedented for the format

Watch Live: ESPN, ABC, and streaming via ESPN app

Final Thoughts

The 2025 US Open isn’t just a tournament—it’s a narrative playground. Whether you're tracking Sinner’s recovery, Alcaraz brilliancy, Gauff’s home-court magic, or the mixed doubles madness, this year’s edition is built for both tennis afficionados and enthusiasts. Expect tennis brilliancy, emotional rollercoasters, outstanding athleticism, and plenty of moments worth clapping for. Who will you be cheering for this year?

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