Excitement Looms for 2014 US Open

The eyes of the tennis world turn to New York as the final Grand Slam event of the year is about to get underway.

“I’m a huge fan of the US Open,” New Yorker Dahlia Loeb says. “This is a really special time of year in New York,” Loeb adds.

Last year’s champion on the men’s side, Rafael Nadal, is unable to defend his title after withdrawing due to a wrist injury but two-time defending female champion Serena Williams is present. Williams is looking to win a sixth US Open which would tie her with Chris Evert.

“I think Victoria Azarenka can go one better than last year after losing in the final,” says Parisian Mary Jackson. “It was such a great final and a tremendous effort by Azarenka.”

Competition will be tough with second-seed Simona Halep, third-seed Petra Kvitova, and fifth-seed Maria Sharapova bound to put up a fight. The likes of Flavia Pennetta, Ekaterina Makarova, and Venus Williams could also go far.

“I’m really upset that Rafa won’t be here,” says Bostoner Chris Jones. “I come down every year to see him and it won’t be the same without him.”

On the men’s side, Novak Djokovic is top seed with the Swiss pair of Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka just behind. Andy Murray, Marin Cilic, Gael Monfils and Kei Nishikori may find the hard courts of Arthur Ashe to their liking. Djokovic won his lone US Open title in 2011 and lost last year’s final to Nadal in four sets.

It’s hard to go past the popularity of Federer who won five previous US Opens (2004-2008), but not a single one since then.

“I’m a huge fan of Federer and would love to see him win another title,” says Keith Williams of Miami. “He’s such a great tennis player and he always does well here in New York.” This is sure to be another wonderful US Open and two weeks of tennis. The New York energy makes it one of the most special sporting events of the year and one that is anticipated by all the tennis players and tennis fans alike.