The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens is quiet much of the year, but for two weeks late in summer, Flushing Meadows turns into the center of the world’s tennis universe as the US Open takes place. This year, prize money at the tournament will be a record $90 million, with each winner receiving $5 million.
Qualifying matches begin Aug. 18 and run through Aug. 22, with the main draw of the singles competition beginning on Aug. 24. The tournament wraps up Sept. 7.
In the women’s opening round, 2021 champion Emma Raducanu faces qualifier Shibahara in a match that should go her way as long as she can stay focused and maintain her level of play. Raducanu, who lost in the second round at the US Open last year, is a good bet to get to the quarterfinals again this time around.
On the men’s side, top seed Ben Shelton meets qualifier Buse in a match that will test his nerve. Shelton, who won his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Toronto in August, will look to take that success to the next rung and win a Grand Slam.
The men’s day 13 match should be a real stunner, with veteran Novak Djokovic taking on 19-year-old Tien, who has beaten four top-10 players this season with his parabolic serves and forehands and delicate mastery of ball control. If Djokovic, 38, can get his game in order against the younger player, he could notch his first US Open championship since winning the final at Wimbledon this year.