Daijiworld Media Network- New York
New York, Aug 22: The draw for the US Open 2025 has set up intriguing opening matches, with former champions Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic handed potential early tests, while tennis legend Venus Williams returns to Flushing Meadows at the age of 45.
Alcaraz, seeded No. 2, will begin his campaign against big-serving American Reilly Opelka. Standing 6’11”, Opelka once ranked inside the top 20 and reached the US Open fourth round in 2021 before injuries hampered his progress. Alcaraz, winner of the 2022 title and now a five-time Grand Slam champion, is tipped to face strong competition as the tournament unfolds.
Djokovic, holding a men’s record 24 Grand Slam titles, will face 19-year-old American Learner Tien in the first round. Tien stunned Daniil Medvedev earlier this year en route to the Australian Open fourth round. Now 38 and seeded seventh, Djokovic may face a tough road, potentially meeting No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals, Alcaraz in the semifinals, and top seed Jannik Sinner—the defending champion—in the final.
On the women’s side, Venus Williams, granted a wild card entry, makes history as the oldest singles competitor at the US Open since 1981. A two-time US Open champion, she will take on No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova, a French Open finalist and two-time semifinalist in New York.
Defending champion Coco Gauff, seeded No. 3, opens against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic, who famously ended Serena Williams’ career in 2022.
The men’s draw promises blockbuster encounters in the later stages. Possible quarterfinals include Sinner vs. No. 5 Jack Draper and No. 3 Alexander Zverev vs. No. 8 Alex de Minaur in the top half. In the bottom half, Alcaraz could meet No. 6 Ben Shelton, while Fritz may clash with Djokovic.
The 2025 edition begins Sunday, a day earlier than usual, raising the stakes for an electrifying fortnight in New York.