Emma Raducanu came through three qualifying rounds and seven in the main draw at the 2021 US Open without losing a set. Nobody had done it before.
Novak Djokovic's record is usually explained by flexibility and defence. The numbers point somewhere less romantic — the second-serve return.
Carlos Alcaraz returns from a wrist injury to defend the US Open, and opens against Roman Safiullin. Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper have both withdrawn injured.
The world number one has won the last two US Opens. She arrives at this one having lost from 5-1 up in a tie-break to Sára Bejlek in Cincinnati, and without a final in five months.
The sisters will play a Grand Slam together for the first time since 2022. Stan Wawrinka was given a late singles wildcard for the last major of his career.
Nadal beat Federer 9-7 in the fifth at Wimbledon in 2008, twice interrupted by rain and completed in light too poor to continue much longer.
Djokovic beat Federer 13-12 in the fifth in 2019, the first year a final set tie-break existed at Wimbledon. Federer served for the match at 8-7.
Emma Raducanu came through three qualifying rounds and seven in the main draw at the 2021 US Open without losing a set. Nobody had done it before.
Serena Williams beat Venus 6-4 6-4 in the 2017 Australian Open final. She disclosed months later that she had been pregnant throughout the tournament.
Novak Djokovic's record is usually explained by flexibility and defence. The numbers point somewhere less romantic — the second-serve return.
One plays with variety and improvisation, the other with the flattest ball-striking on tour. What makes the match-up worth watching is that neither style is beating the other.
Shingo Kunieda retired in 2023 as the most successful wheelchair player in the game's history. The attention his career drew has outlasted it.
Video via ATP Tour
Video via ATP Tour
Video via ATP Tour
