Writer: Sofi Dawalibi
Editor: Mare Lara
The US Open Tennis has always been an extraordinary event with the gathering of the best Tennis players in the world in Queens, New York. Since 1978, the grounds of USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows have been graced by exciting players and passionate viewers. Amongst great gastronomy, incredible drinks, – such as the Honey Deuce – celebrity sightings, and exhilarating matches, this particular year is a promising smash hit amongst the others.
Just like many viewers, there are particular players that I always tune in to according to their programmed matches, and I always find myself elated to watch women’s Tennis. So here are my top three of this year!
Aryna Sabalenka
Better late than never, Aryna Sabalenka had the latest start in tournament history, but it might be the best yet. A win in a game past midnight, she scored 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 against Ekaterina Alexandrova (the Russian No. 29 seed). The Belarusian player is the former world number one in both singles and doubles by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) as well as winning two Grand Slams at the 2023 and 2024 Australian Opens, along with two major double titles at the 2019 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open – partnering with Elise Mertens. – Despite being only 26, Aryna has gathered over twenty career titles and was aiming for more had it not been for her shoulder injury, causing her to miss the past Wimbledon. Though unfortunate for her, it is most certainly covetous for a win which has translated to her games in this current US Open.
Donna Vekić
Though Donna Vekić was undermining herself in her press conference with the US Open, being nervous about the fast pace of the competition, she is killing it on the court. Her winning streak is strong as she follows a great year of career accomplishments – being a semi-finalist in Wimbledon as well as winning a silver medal at the Olympics in Paris this year. –With her advent to the Australian Open quarterfinal in 2023, losing to the prior Aryna Sabalenka, she moved up 30 places in the rankings. Subsequently, Vekić re-entered the top 40 at world No. 33 at the beginning of last year. Donna’s approach to spin rather than laying it flat and low drives an incredibly fun game for the audience to follow. With her current energy, the Croatian player is certainly promising herself a good future in this tournament.
Emma Navarro
Emma Navarro just reached her first career Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open Tennis. The up-and-coming player has just defeated Coco Gauff – who only had appraisals for her competitor – to advance in the tournament. Emma has a career-high singles ranking of No. 12 by the WTA, and a doubles ranking of No. 93, just recently achieved in August. At 19, she had already made her debut, finishing runner-up in the junior 2019 French Open singles draw, and won the junior 2019 French Open in doubles with partner Chloe Beck. This year alone she reached her third semifinal at the Auckland Classic, defeating Petra Martić in straight sets, winning her a maiden title. Currently, she’s achieved a new career-high ranking of being world No. 17 in June. Her loss at Wimbledon brought her out with a new force in the US Open.Â
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