By Victor Kanayo
The season’s final Grand Slam, the US Open, is set to begin on Monday August 29, 2022.
In 2022, Emma Raducanu had a historic run to the title as she became the first qualifier to win a Major title. Daniil Medvedev claimed his maiden Grand Slam title by denying Novak Djokovic the chance to complete a Calendar Year Grand Slam.
The defending champions return to New York, but face stiff competition if they want to make it two in a row. Serena Williams’ retirement is the talk of the town at the moment as the tennis legend is set to compete in the final tournament of her decorated career.
While most of the big names will be playing, a few won’t be in action this year.
According to organisers, here are the seven top players who won’t be competing in the 2022 US Open.
7. Elina Svitolina
The Ukrainian star revealed in May that she and husband Gael Monfils are expecting their first child, thus she will miss the rest of the season. Svitolina reached the semifinals in 2019, and made it to the quarterfinals last year.
6. Gael Monfils
After being sidelined by injury in May, the Frenchman was stricken with another injury that forced him to retire mid-match at the Canadian Open. Now the same injury has ruled him out of the US Open, where he has fond memories of making the semifinals in 2016.
The Ukrainian star revealed in May that she and husband Gael Monfils are expecting their first child, thus she will miss the rest of the season. Svitolina reached the semifinals in 2019, and made it to the quarterfinals last year.
5. Reilly Opelka
The American hasn’t competed much in the lead-up to the US Open, withdrawing from the Atlanta Open due to a neck injury. After losing in the third round at the Citi Open, he skipped the Canadian Open and Cincinnati, and has now pulled out of the US Open citing a heel injury.
4. Alexander Zverev
The German sustained an ankle injury at the French Open, causing him to undergo surgery from which he still hasn’t recovered. Zverev is a former runner-up at the US Open, having lost to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 final.
3. Angelique Kerber
The three-time Grand Slam champion didn’t compete at all in the lead-up to the US Open. On August 24, she finally spilled the beans regarding her prolonged absence. The German is currently expecting her first child with boyfriend Franco Bianco2. Roger Federer
The 20-time Grand Slam champion will miss yet another tournament as he continues his rehabilitation from knee surgery. He hasn’t competed for more than a year now, but is set to return at next month’s Laver Cup.
1. Novak Djokovic
The vaccine mandate has cost Novak Djokovic another opportunity to compete in a Grand Slam as he has been ruled out of the US Open. While there were hopes of a miraculous last-minute exemption, nothing of the sort came to be. Djokovic confirmed his withdrawal shortly before the draw ceremony more than a year now, but is set to return at next month’s Laver Cup.
