Author: Barkha Roy
Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek are set to top the men’s and women’s singles entry lists for the highly anticipated US Open 2023, according to the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Three-time champion Novak Djokovic will make his return to the tournament, while Rafael Nadal and Emma Raducanu will be absent.
Defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz leads the entry list, with Novak Djokovic close behind. Djokovic missed last year’s US Open due to vaccination requirements for international travelers, which led him to miss several other important tournaments. However, with the suspension of the vaccine requirement by the US government, Djokovic’s participation in this year’s event is confirmed.
In the women’s singles category, defending champion Iga Swiatek leads the entry list, along with Simona Halep, who is currently ranked 55th in the world. Halep was provisionally suspended for doping, which resulted in her missing the first three Grand Slam tournaments of the year.
Meanwhile, two notable players will not be taking part in the US Open this year. Rafael Nadal is still recovering from a hip injury suffered during the Australian Open, while Emma Raducanu has undergone surgeries on her hands and ankles since her incredible victory at the tournament last year.
The entry lists have a cut-off score of 96 for men and 100 for women, indicating the level of elite competitiveness expected at the US Open.
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In addition, the USTA revealed that the United States has the highest number of players directly qualified for the tournament, with 25 players making the cut. Among them, 14 American women and 11 men qualified based on their rankings, including top names such as Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe.
The US Open is scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 10 at the famous USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. Tennis enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the exciting matches that will take place on the hard courts of North America during this prestigious Grand Slam event.