The US Open is now less than three weeks away, beginning on August 28th. It is a tournament that promises much. Carlos Alcaraz will defend the Grand Slam that he won nearly a year ago. But Novak Djokovic will be seeking to prove he is still the best player in the world after his Wimbledon final loss to the Spaniard. There are also many excellent players looking to win their maiden Grand Slam title.
Unfortunately there have already been four withdrawals from the last Grand Slam of the year. All four men are notable names as well, and will be missed at the event.
The Players Who Have Withdrawn from the US Open
Last year’s US Open quarterfinalist Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn. This means he will miss all four Grand Slams this season. It has been a very difficult year for the Australian, who has only played one match all year on the grass courts of Stuttgart. Kyrgios has been plagued by knee and more recently wrist problems. His timeline for returning is unclear at the moment.
Flushing Meadows will also be without one of its former winners. 2014 champion Marin Cilic announced he cannot play in New York either. The Croat has been struggling with a knee injury throughout 2023. He made his return a couple of weeks ago on the clay courts of Umag, but sadly he has had another setback since. Cilic never officially entered the US Open due to his injury, hence no player ever officially replaced him in the draw.
Jan-Lennard struff is the third player to withdraw. It is a great shame for the German, who has played the best tennis of his career this season at the age of 33. He reached the final of the Madrid Masters and again in his home tournament in Stuttgart. Struff picked up a hip injury in the earlier rounds in Stuttgart, despite eventually reaching the final. This has taken longer to heal than expected, leading to Struff’s withdrawal. Hopefully he can re-capture the form he had when he returns.
Mikael Ymer is also officially counted as a withdrawal. Last month it was announced that Ymer had been suspended for 18 months after not being present for three drugs tests in an 18-month period. It will be a long time until we see the Swede on the courts again. The road to resurrecting his career will be tough for the former ATP finalist.
Which Players now Enter US Open Main Draw?
Marco Cecchinato replaced Ymer after he had to withdraw. The 2018 French Open semifinalist has been a clay court specialist throughout his career, and has failed to reach the second round at Flushing Meadows in his previous five appearances. The Italian is still talented, and will hope to seize the opportunity to improve on his past results.
22-year-old Facundo Diaz Acosta benefited from Struff’s withdrawal. The Argentine’s only previous Grand Slam appearance was at this year’s French Open, where he fell in the first round. Diaz Acosta is another clay court specialist, with all six of his finals on the Challenger circuit coming on clay. Hence a first Grand Slam match win would be a slight surprise, but that is the potential prize for Diaz Acosta.
A more experienced Argentine competitor has taken the place of Kyrgios. Diego Schwartzman is now in the main draw. It has been a very difficult year for the 14-time ATP finalist, and he is close to dropping out of the Top 100 at his current ranking of #98. The 30-year-old is still a very gritty competitor though, and will work as hard as he can to turn his fortunes around in New York.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
