US Open is Fast Approaching

Tennis’ fourth and final Grand Slam of the year begins in just one week’s time, on Monday August 31st. The men’s field is showing the most parity it has in years, with Roger Federer’s age catching up to him, and a group of young, talented individuals who can challenge. Here is a preview of the contenders:


Andy Roddick: #5 Seed

A-Rod is enjoying a wonderful comeback season, in which the highlight so far has been his epic championship match against Roger Federer at Wimbledon. He has been working with a new coach, Larry Stefanki, since December, whose first order of business was ordering Roddick to rid himself of that spare tire he carried around his waist. After those 15 lbs. were banished, he began retooling Roddick’s skillset.

In his favour:

Before Stefanki, Roddick was one dimensional: all power all the time. Unfortunately, against the variety of Nadal, Murray, and Federer, his game had no chance.

At Wimbledon, he showed that his new game can be both unpredictable and very consistent. He should be even better, having a few more months under his belt with the new coach.

Opposing forces:

At the end of the day, one man stands in his way. Roddick, playing the way he did at Wimbledon, can beat anyone right now, except for that one guy who has always had his number…


Novak Djokovic: #4 Seed

Djokovic has to grow up. After losing to hometown favorite, Andy Roddick, in the quarter finals last year, Djokovic turned on the audience for cheering against him. Dumb idea, riling up a group of upset New Yorkers. It will be interesting to see the way they greet him this year.

In his favour:

He did beat Rafa in the semi-final of the Cincinnati Masters last week to reach the final. And he has won a Grand Slam – the 2008 Australian Open.

Opposing forces:

Lots. He’s too quick to make excuses and too quick to blame injuries. Definitely has the skill to be the best in the world, but he needs to get his head straight.


Rafael Nadal: #3 Seed

In his first action of the summer two weeks ago at the Rogers Cup, Nadal was defeated by Juan Martin Del Potro in the quarter-finals. Last week, in Cincinnati, he made it to the semi-final before losing to Novak Djokovic.

In his favour:

He is in Federer’s head: Roger knows that Nadal is the one guy who can stare him down at a Grand Slam event and not be intimidated. In fact, Nadal’s energy and snarl probably scare the hell out of Fed, though he’d never admit it.

Opposing forces:

Knees of a 40 year old. Pundits always predicted that the way he pounds the pavement would catch up to him, and it may have already done so at the age of 23. He’s not yet moving the way he could before. His strokes also show some rust, but hopefully he will be able to shake it off in the long 2 week tournament, before facing the big guns.


Andy Murray: #2 Seed

After Cincinnati, Murray gained the title of world number two. It’s the first time in 3 years that anyone besides Nadal or Federer has been in the top 2.

Murray is definitely the best player to not yet have won a Grand Slam, but he’s still young at 22.

In his favour:

He won the Rogers Cup in Montreal 2 weeks ago. He has a winning record against Federer: 6-3 all-time. And the hard courts of New York are his favorite surface.

Opposing forces:

Himself. He succumbed to the pressure during last year’s US Open final and did not play well, losing in straight sets to Federer. He has a history of negatively imploding when the chips are down, though he has been working extensively to fix this in the last year.


Roger Federer: #1 Seed

The Fed Express is aiming to win a record 16th tennis Grand Slam at the 2009 US Open.

In his favour:

After winning the Cincinnati Masters tournament last week, beating the world’s (then) 3rd ranked player, Andy Murray, in the semi-final, and the 4th ranked player, Novak Djokovic, in the final, he looks to be in good form.

If he does it, we’ll likely see some waterworks and an annoying speech similar to the one he gave after the Cincinnati final:

“That's the special part, especially winning for the first time as a dad," Federer said. "It gets me going emotionally a little bit, because I know it's been a wonderful summer”

Opposing forces:

Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Roddick. Someone! Anyone! Please spare us from this torture!