The Former World No. 1 Breaks Down the US Open

Former US Open Winner Andy Roddick Analyzes the 2024 US Open

Former US Open winner Andy Roddick returns with his latest preview for the 2024 US Open for Betway.

Roddick, who is the last American man to win the US Open in 2023, has remained one of the most informative analysts in world of tennis.

The Men’s Draw

Sinner’s draw looks manageable, but he will face many questions

According to Roddick, Jannik Sinner should navigate the first few rounds without too much trouble, provided he can settle into the tournament. There’s no reason to believe he’ll suddenly forget how to play tennis. However, the real test may be whether the cumulative pressure gets to him. The attention he’s receiving is justified due to significant mistakes by either him or his team, and he’ll need to answer every question that comes his way.

As Sinner advances to the Round of 16 or quarter-finals, the repetitive questioning from the press will only increase. At that point, the focus will be less on his tennis and more on maintaining his composure, staying calm, and finding a rhythm that feels somewhat normal as he reaches the later stages of the competition.

Djokovic is Roddick’s pick to win the men’s title

Regarding Novak Djokovic, Roddick believes that it’s uncertain whether his summer exertions will catch up with him, but he played exceptionally well at Wimbledon and the Olympics.

While cliches like “he willed himself to victory” or “he turns it on when it counts” are often overused, in Djokovic’s case, they ring true. He called the shot months ago, despite not having won a title or beaten a top-10 player this year. It’s a testament to his greatness, and Roddick believe he’ll carry that momentum forward. Djokovic is the favorite in the betting odds, and he’s the American’s choice to win the tournament.

Alcaraz is past his Olympic setback

Carlos Alcaraz had a fantastic summer, winning both the French Open and Wimbledon. Although he experienced a minor setback after losing in the Olympic final and then in the first round at Cincinnati, it was likely beneficial for him to shake off that loss. After Roland Garros, he also lost quickly to Jack Draper at Queen’s, which may have served as a needed jolt.

Roddick recently spoke with his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and he’s confident that Alcaraz won’t suffer from a lingering Olympic hangover. Despite his young age, he’s a seasoned professional and has faced numerous challenging situations. The longer format of Grand Slam matches, which are best of five sets, reduces the likelihood of surprises.

Is it Finally Time for An American to go Deep in New York?

Roddick believes that when the draw was released, no one wanted to face Matteo Berrettini, so his upcoming match with Taylor Fritz in the second round is one to watch. It’s the kind of match where the winner could potentially go on to reach the semi-finals.

It feels like an American player is due for a strong run. The top American men are closely grouped in the rankings, with players like Tommy Paul, Fritz, and Ben Shelton performing well in the first half of the year. Though Paul took a few early losses this summer, others like Sebastian Korda and Francis Tiafoe have found their form. It’s exciting to see them push each other, and the competition among them should be great to watch in the tournament.

The Women’s Preview

Sabalenka is the favorite in the women’s singles

Aryna Sabalenka is Roddick’s top pick on this surface. Roddick predicted her to win at Wimbledon, though she had to withdraw shortly after he made that prediction. Sabalenka and Sinner, who both skipped the Olympics, benefitted from the extra time to focus and prepare. This gives Sabalenka a significant advantage heading into this tournament.

Gauff needs to approach the tournament in two phases

Although Roddick hasn’t spoken with Coco Gauff’s coach, Brad Gilbert, it would make sense that they are realistic about their expectations. They’re likely searching for the right strategy, but they don’t need to win the tournament in the first week. The goal should be to find her form, grind through the early rounds, and see if that momentum carries into the second week.

Gauff, who Roddick consider among the great players, often faces comparisons to past champions. She’s been searching for her best form over the past few months, but even when not at her best, she has an incredible ability to find a way to win. The challenge will be surviving the first week and then reassessing her strategy for the second half of the tournament.

Pegula is poised for a big performance

Jessica Pegula has had an unpredictable year, filled with challenges and tough decisions. It’s been like navigating a road full of speed bumps—there’s been forward progress, but it’s been interrupted. However, Pegula seems to have found her stride post-Olympics and is in top form now.

Despite never advancing past the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam, her career achievements outside of that are impressive. On a fast hardcourt where she can use her flat shots effectively, Pegula will be a formidable opponent.

Raducanu’s potential remains uncertain

Emma Raducanu faces a tough challenge, with a possible second-round match against Pegula after playing another former Grand Slam winner, Sofia Kenin. Roddick admires Raducanu and believes some of the criticism she’s received has been unfair—her success should be celebrated, not criticized.

At Roland-Garros, she had to play qualifiers but didn’t compete. The same happened at other WTA 1000s, which suggests a pattern that Roddick is not comfortable with. However, she played well in Washington and Wimbledon, winning some good matches.

If someone like Naomi Osaka is willing to enter qualifiers in Cincinnati, I think there’s value in those matches. Although Roddick might have advised differently, Raducanu has taken her own path and has already had an impressive career.

Hoping for a strong final run from Collins at the US Open

Danielle Collins has been a trailblazer, showing that college players can reach the highest levels of tennis. When Roddick was playing, college players weren’t seen as serious threats, but now they can win Masters 1000s and make Grand Slam finals.

Roddick is a big fan of Collins. Her intense competitive spirit resonates with the former US Open winner. Roddick would love to see her make a deep run at her final US Open, as it would be a fantastic story. It’s rare for someone to announce their retirement and then play the best tennis of their career, but it would be thrilling if she could do just that in her last Open.