Something new for fans of the US Open
Zverev just an outsider in the duel of generations
08/27/2023 2:04 p.m
Alexander Zverev starts the US Open in a promising form. But in order to be at the top in the end, he has to stretch himself properly. Because the top favorites for the final are two other stars. For the German fans there is a fundamental innovation.
Alexander Zverev used the time before the first serve at the US Open for some culture. With his friend Sophia Thomalla, the tennis Olympic champion visited the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and both looked at the metropolis from above together. In the coming days, the 26-year-old should aim high again.
In Flushing Meadows, Zverev reached his only Grand Slam final three years ago – and continues to chase his dream of triumphing in one of the four major tournaments. “That has been the goal for a few years,” said the Hamburger recently. “In 2020 I was very close. Who knows, maybe it will be something at some point, maybe this year.” The most important thing about the US Open starting on Monday at a glance.
What are Zverev’s chances?
In his comeback season after the serious ankle injury in July 2022, the German number one is not one of the top favorites, but is getting in better shape. After the first tournament victory in his hometown of Hamburg on sand, Zverev narrowly failed in Cincinnati in the dress rehearsal for the last Grand Slam tournament of the year in the semifinals at three-time winner Novak Djokovic from Serbia. However, the draw gave the former world number two a tricky opening task against Aleksandar Vukic from Australia for Tuesday (local time), and the strong Italian Jannik Sinner could already be in the round of 16.
And the other Germans?
The German number two, Jan-Lennard Struff, continues to have hip problems. The teammates Dominik Koepfer against the world number one Carlos Alcaraz from Spain and Yannick Hanfmann against Sinner are facing spectacular first round duels as big outsiders. Without Angelique Kerber, who was still missing after the birth of daughter Liana, every lap completed by the German women around Tatjana Maria is a success. Jule Niemeier is still in a form crisis and failed at the beginning of the qualification.
Which duel are many tennis fans looking forward to?
In an epic final in Cincinnati, the 23-time Grand Slam tournament Djokovic (36) fended off the attack of 16 years younger Alcaraz for the time being. A new edition of the generational duel in the final of the US Open should promise immense spectacle. In the previous year, the Serb was not allowed to enter the USA due to a lack of corona vaccination, when Alcaraz secured the title against the Norwegian Casper Ruud.
What is there to earn?
The total prize money rises to a record value of 65 million US dollars (almost 60 million euros). The individual winners will each receive $3 million. An anniversary is also being celebrated this year: half a century ago, the US Open was the first Grand Slam tournament to introduce women with the same bonuses as men. Pioneer Billie Jean King is featured in bright colors on posters from the 2023 edition.
Where can tennis fans watch the US Open?
The German viewers have to get used to it – and pay. Instead of the free-to-air Eurosport, the US Open runs on the sports streaming platform Sportdeutschland.TV. Users can follow every match live, a small part of it like the doubles up to the semifinals for free. There will be a four-hour free conference each day. The complete tournament package costs 25 euros, a day ticket 10 euros, individual matches 5 euros. One thing remains the same for Eurosport viewers: Expert is Boris Becker, like last time at the French Open.