Five bold predictions for this year's US Open! Sinner withdraws, Djokovic wins, and a new women's singles champion emerges

The 2025 US Open is set to begin in New York, where the elite players of tennis have assembled. While the main singles matches begin on August 24th, the revamped mixed doubles competition finished early. This two-day event wrapped up on Wednesday, with Errani and Vavassori emerging as champions.

In singles, Sinner and Sabalenka hold the defending champion titles. They must protect their crowns and keep their positions as world No. 1. Sinner faces a challenge from Alcaraz, while Swiatek and Gauff pose the biggest threats to Sabalenka.

Over the next two weeks, countless storylines will unfold. As the final Grand Slam of the season, here are five daring predictions that might come true—or not.

1. Sinner might withdraw from the US Open at the last moment

Sinner won the Australian Open earlier this year but was suspended for three months due to a positive doping test from a year ago. After returning, he lost to Alcaraz in both the Italian Open and French Open finals but avenged those losses by beating him in the Wimbledon final.

A few days ago at the Cincinnati Open final, Sinner competed as the defending champion but felt unwell the day before. Despite playing, his form was clearly off, and he retired when trailing 0-5.

He later withdrew from the US Open mixed doubles to focus on recovery. It remains unclear how serious his condition is; if he cannot fully recover, his title defense could end abruptly. Although there is still time to recuperate, if his health isn't restored by the tournament's start, a last-minute withdrawal would not be surprising.

2. Swiatek could face an early exit

Despite a strong first half of the season, Swiatek did not win any titles until she lifted her sixth Grand Slam trophy at Wimbledon and then won again at the Cincinnati Open.

Besides Wimbledon, she reached the semifinals of both the Australian Open and French Open this year. Since 2021, she has always made it to at least the fourth round at the US Open, winning it in 2022.

Given her current form, Swiatek is fully capable of going deep again. However, she has never reached the second week of all four Grand Slams in the same season. If this pattern continues, after strong runs in the first three majors this year, she might surprisingly exit early at the US Open.

3. Djokovic is poised to claim his 25th Grand Slam, while the women's singles may see a surprise champion

When Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam at the 2023 US Open, it seemed he could add several more titles. That year he won three majors, and even winning one per year afterward would have allowed him to break records.

However, since then, he has reached just one Grand Slam final, losing to Alcaraz at Wimbledon 2024; this season, he has been stopped at the semifinals in all three majors. While he holds the men's record with 24 majors, he remains tied with Margaret Court on the all-time list.

This might be Djokovic’s perfect chance. After finally winning the Olympic gold in Paris, he could also make history in New York. Drawn in the same half as Alcaraz, Djokovic has consistently had the upper hand on hard courts. With Sinner’s uncertain condition, this could be his best opportunity to secure his 25th Grand Slam.

On the women's side, Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Gauff are the top favorites. Yet, it has been a long time since a surprise winner emerged in women’s singles. Although Keys claimed her first Grand Slam at the Australian Open, she has long been considered capable of winning. This year’s US Open might finally break the norm with a new champion.

4. 45-year-old Venus Williams may stage a surprising breakthrough

At 45, Venus Williams remains active on the tour. She returned to competition in Washington this July and even defeated world No. 40 Stearns. After a 30-year career, her competitive spirit still burns brightly.

In the first round, she will face 11th seed Muchova. Although her opponent is strong, Venus’s experience and determination should not be underestimated. She might be chasing one last moment of glory, and that drive could inspire an impressive performance on home soil. A deep run would be a remarkable achievement late in her career.

5. Shelton could cause an upset by defeating Alcaraz in the quarterfinals

According to the draw, Shelton and Alcaraz could meet in the US Open quarterfinals. Alcaraz currently holds a 3-0 head-to-head record against Shelton, including a win at this year’s French Open.

However, Shelton has made significant progress this year, recently winning his first Masters 1000 title in Canada. With home crowd support, he has a real chance to upset Alcaraz. This could be his shining moment, and it might happen very soon.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)