Djokovic eyes calendar Grand Slam at U.S. Open as Bencic, Zverev aim to build off Olympic wins

Can Novak Djokovic do something no tennis player has done in over 30 years?

The men's world No.1 from Serbia heads into the final tennis major of the year at the U.S. Open in New York City having won each of the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon in 2021 – meaning he could complete the “calendar Grand Slam” should he win his fourth U.S. Open title.

Germany’s Steffi Graf was the last player to complete such a feat – adding an Olympic gold medal (the “golden Slam”) in 1988. Rod Laver, the Australian, is the only male in the Open Era to win all four majors in one year, back in 1969.

The Djokovic Slam-watch is just one of many compelling storylines for the Open, set to start Monday (30 August) at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens in front of crowds, a year after the event was held without spectators.

Both Tokyo 2020 singles gold medallists Alexander Zverev of Germany and Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic will look to carry their Olympic momentum to NYC and try and capture a first major in their respective careers.

Olympic cauldron lighter Naomi Osaka is the defending champion on the women’s side, while 2020 men’s winner Dominic Thiem is out of the event with a season-ending wrist injury.

Also on the sidelines? Roger Federer (knee), Rafael Nadal (foot) and both Serena Williams (hamstring) and sister Venus (leg), who have won 17 U.S. Open titles among them. Federer and Nadal have shut down their seasons in hopes of being ready for 2022, and their absence means Djokovic could take control of the men's major title race, with each of the “Big Three” currently tied at 20 Slams won.

Also featured in the women’s draw at Flushing Meadows? That would be world No.1 Ashleigh Barty, fresh off a big win in Cincinnati.

Here are five things to watch for during the coming fortnight of tennis, plus the schedule of play and how to follow the action.

Djokovic: Calendar Slam beckons

Deep into the Tokyo Olympics, it was all systems go for Djokovic, who had appeared untouchable at the sport’s biggest events this year, beating youngsters Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Matteo Berrettini, respectively, to win his three majors – along with Nadal in a memorable French Open semi-final.

But it was in the semis that Djokovic was halted in Tokyo, losing to Germany's Zverev across three sets. The Serbian would go on to place fourth, losing in the bronze medal match to Spain’s Pablo Carreño Busta.

But Djokovic’s strengths are highlighted by the best-of-five-set format: He plays a lethal brand of physical, unrelenting tennis with little for his opponents to capitalise on. A three-time champion in New York (2011, 2015, 2018), he’s also been to the final another five times.

Djokovic has also arrived for the U.S. Open well rested: He has not played at ATP events in Toronto or Cincinnati, meaning he’ll be fresh for a deep run amid usually hot and humid conditions.

Reigning champ Osaka back – in much different setting

A year after Osaka charged to seven wins in an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium, the world No.3 will be on centre stage again having taken a stand for athletes’ mental health at the French Open – openly discussing the pressures and expectations she’s faced as the world’s highest-paid female athlete.

Osaka’s Tokyo run was ended in the third round by eventual silver medallist Marketa Vondrousova, and in Cincinnati she lost another stunner to an in-form player, Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann, who went on to the final.

The defending champion, who won her fourth major earlier this year at the Australian Open, is keeping her eyes squarely on what’s in front of her.

“For me, if I want to keep looking forward and if I want to keep being more positive with myself, I need to think about the things that I could improve on,” she told reporters after her loss in Cincinnati.

Tokyo-mentum? Zverev, Bencic good as gold

While Djokovic and Osaka could garner most of the headlines, the two Olympic singles champions will look to continue their momentum from Tokyo – namely Zverev, who is on an 11-match winning streak upon arrival in the city that doesn’t sleep.

Zverev won the warm-up event in Cincinnati, beating Tsitsipas in a dramatic semi-final, then childhood friend Andrey Rublev of Russia in the final.

“It's definitely going to be an interesting U.S. Open,” said Zverev, who still tipped Djokovic as the favourite. “But I'm also looking forward to it, because, yeah, I know where I stand, I know how I'm playing, and I hope I can continue the work and hopefully play even better in New York.”

Bencic won three high-quality matches (including a gold-medal rematch against Vondrousova) in Cincinnati before bowing out to countrywoman Teichmann.

Also looking to emulate their Tokyo successes? Doubles champs Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic as well as Croatia’s Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic.

Ones to watch: Barty, Medvedev and more

While the Australian Barty crashed out of Tokyo in the first round, she won a tour-leading fifth title of the year in Cincinnati, backing up her second major title at Wimbledon last month.

She’ll anchor the top of the women’s draw, while newly minted No.2 Aryna Sabalenka will sit on the bottom half.

While the depth in the women’s draw is endless, other names to watch include No.4 Karolina Pliskova, No.6 Elina Svitolina (the Tokyo bronze medallist), No.7 Bianca Andreescu (2019 U.S. Open champ) and Iga Swiatek, the world No.8, who is the 2020 French Open champ.

It’ll be Djokovic and Medvedev on either side of the men’s draw, with Tsitsipas and Zverev seeded No. 3 and 4. Rublev and Berrettini will be factored into the title-run conversation, while Canada’s Denis Shapovalov and Casper Ruud of Norway will land top-eight seeds with Nadal, Thiem and Federer absent.

Also in the field is two-time Olympic gold medallist in singles, Andy Murray.

DRAWS: See the full men's singles draw here | Women's singles draw

Missing in action: Williams sisters, Federer, Nadal, Thiem

For the first time since the 1997 U.S. Open, none of Serena Williams, Federer, or Nadal will feature at a major event. While the trio did not make the trip to Tokyo, Nadal appeared ready for a North American run, signing up for lead-up events across the U.S. Open Series.

But after two matches in Washington, D.C., he withdrew from Toronto and headed back home, days later announcing that he would not only miss the U.S. Open, but also the remainder of the season.

It’s much the same for Federer – due for another knee surgery – and Thiem, who re-injured his wrist readying for the Open, the three men all shutting down their season ahead of 2022.

Williams, who turns 40 next month, announced her withdrawal on Wednesday (25 Aug.), saying she "will miss seeing the fans but will be cheering everyone on from afar." Also out is her older sister Venus, a two-time champ, who said - a few hours after Serena's announcement - that she was experiencing difficulty in her leg.

Could that mean New York fans won’t see Serena, Federer or Nadal play again in person? It’s impossible to say, though each have expressed desire to return on their own terms.

2021 U.S. Open tennis – Schedule of play

Play begins at 11:00 local time each day, with evening sessions underway at 19:00 local through the first eight days of the event. See a daily schedule here.

Starting Tues., 7 Sept., matches will begin from 12:00 local.

Mon. and Tues., 30 and 31 Aug.

• Singles first round

Weds. and Thurs., 1 and 2 Sept.

• Singles second round
• Doubles first round

Fri. and Sat., 3 and 4 Sept.

• Singles third round
• Doubles second round

Sun. and Mon., 5 and 6 Sept.

• Singles fourth round
• Doubles third round

Tues., 7 Sept.

• Singles quarter-finals
• Men’s doubles quarter-finals

Weds., 8 Sept.

• Singles quarter-finals
• Women’s doubles quarter-finals

Thurs., 9 Sept.

• Women’s singles semi-finals (19:00 local)
• Doubles semi-finals
• Wheelchair and quad wheelchair events underway

Fri., 10 Sept.

• Men’s singles semifinals (15:00 local)
• Men’s or mixed doubles final
• Wheelchair and quad wheelchair singles semi-finals

Sat., 11 Sept.

• Women’s singles final (16:00 local)
• Men’s or mixed doubles final
• Men’s and women’s wheelchair and quad wheelchair doubles finals

Sun., 12 Sept.

• Men’s singles final (16:00 local)
• Women’s doubles final
• Men’s, women’s and quad wheelchair singles finals

TV: How to watch and stream the action live

Need to find out how to watch the U.S. Open from wherever you are in the world? Here’s a list of official TV broadcasters.

Those at the event in America can watch coverage on ESPN, with nightly encores on Tennis Channel.