The main contenders for the 2021 US Open

The US Open has been one of the more unpredictable Grand Slam events on the annual tennis circuit over recent years. Unsurprisingly, the world number one Novak Djokovic looks to be the man to beat, but there are others who will fancy their chances of causing an upset in New York City.

Djokovic Going For Clean Sweep
Having already won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles this year, it's hardly surprising to see Djokovic as the favourite in the US Open 2021 odds. The Serbian star has pulled level with his rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on 20 Grand Slam titles and looks more than capable of pulling clear of the pair. Djokovic has spoken of his confidence after backing up a French Open title to win at Wimbledon, in what was a short space of time between the Grand Slam events.



After a disappointing Olympic Games in Tokyo, that confidence might well have taken a slight knock, as Djokovic failed to win a medal in Japan. Defeats to Alexander Zverev and Pablo Carreño Busta meant Djokovic's efforts to get out to Asia for the event were for nothing, and now some are questioning whether the excursion was necessary before this highly-anticipated US Open. Djokovic has made a habit out of proving his doubters wrong, and the 34-year-old will take some stopping to be denied a clean sweep of the Grand Slam titles this year.

Nadal Facing Fitness Race
With two titles in the last four US Opens, Rafael Nadal will be earning plenty of backers to spoil Djokovic's party in New York. The Spaniard has won the major event on four occasions and decided to withdraw from both Wimbledon and the Olympic Games in a bid to be ready for the competition at Flushing Meadows.

However, Nadal has confirmed he's been struggling with a foot injury that has been plaguing him for the past couple of months. Having pulled out of the Canada Open and the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Nadal has returned to Mallorca to continue his recovery before flying out to New York. The 35-year-old will be desperate to get back to somewhere near full fitness and, if he can, he should prove a serious contender to win what would be his fifth US Open crown.

Medvedev Looking to Go Under Radar
Daniil Medvedev will be happy to try and go about his business under the radar as he looks to land a maiden Grand Slam title. The Russian has reached the finals at both the Australian Open and US Open but is yet to get his hands on majors



A finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2019, Medvedev has been playing well this year to get himself up to second place in the world rankings. While much of the focus will be on the likes of Djokovic and Nadal, the Russian might well be quietly confident he can cause a real upset in what is set to be an enthralling final Grand Slam event of the year.