The US Open is just around the corner, and with it, the tennis world eagerly awaits the return of the sport's biggest stars. But for some players, Wimbledon was a disappointment, leaving them with questions about their form and ability to bounce back. Among the top 10 seeds who struggled at Wimbledon, five players stand out as potential contenders for the US Open title. These players have the talent and the experience to challenge for the final Grand Slam of the year, but can they rediscover their form on the hard courts of New York? Let's take a closer look at each of these players and their prospects for the US Open.
Elena Rybakina: The Hard-Court Specialist
Elena Rybakina is a fascinating case study in tennis. The Kazakhstani player won the Australian Open in January, and many expected her to win another Grand Slam shortly after. However, her performance at the French Open and Wimbledon was underwhelming, with just three wins across the two events. Rybakina's third-round exit at Wimbledon was particularly disappointing, given her previous success at the tournament. But the good news for Rybakina is that the US Open is on hard courts, the surface on which she won a major title six months ago. If she can rediscover her form on hard courts, there's no reason why she can't challenge for the US Open title. Personally, I think Rybakina's ability to adapt to different surfaces and her strong hard-court game make her a serious contender for the US Open title. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between her success on hard courts and her struggles on other surfaces. If she can maintain her form, she could be a dark horse for the title.
Ben Shelton: The Young American
Ben Shelton is a young American player who made waves at Wimbledon by becoming the only top 10 seed to lose in the first round. Shelton was traveling to London in good form, having won the Stuttgart Open, and looked primed to make a deep run at SW19. However, he lost a five-set thriller to Finland's Otto Virtanen. Shelton will return to Grand Slam action on home soil at the US Open, where he wasn't able to produce his best tennis last year due to an injury. With the crowd cheering him on, a fit Shelton could be worth keeping an eye on this time around. In my opinion, Shelton's young age and potential make him a player to watch at the US Open. What many people don't realize is that his loss at Wimbledon was a close one, and he has the talent to bounce back and make a deep run at the US Open. If he can stay healthy and maintain his form, he could be a surprise contender for the title.
Aryna Sabalenka: The Two-Time Defender
Aryna Sabalenka is the world number one and clearly the best player in the women's game, but heading into the US Open, she hasn't won any of the year's first three Grand Slam events. Sabalenka lost to Rybakina in the Australian Open final, to Diana Shnaider in the French Open quarter-finals, and to Naomi Osaka in the fourth round of Wimbledon. However, the good news for the Belarusian is that she did win the US Open from this position a year ago. And she will return to Flushing Meadows in 2026 as the two-time defending champion and tournament favourite. It's far from a foregone conclusion that she will win the title, but there's certainly reason to believe that Sabalenka will become a three-time US Open winner in September. Personally, I think Sabalenka's experience and her strong hard-court game make her a strong contender for the US Open title. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between her success at the US Open and her struggles at other Grand Slam events. If she can maintain her form, she could be a strong favorite for the title.
Daniil Medvedev: The Hard-Court Specialist
Daniil Medvedev is in better form now than he was last year, but unfortunately for Medvedev, that form hasn't translated to the Grand Slam events. The Russian hasn't reached the quarter-finals of a major since the 2024 US Open, as he continues to falter on the biggest of stages. However, Medvedev was excellent on hard courts earlier this year, winning two titles (Brisbane International, Dubai Tennis Championships), and stunned Carlos Alcaraz at Indian Wells on his way to the final. If he plays his best tennis in New York, don't be surprised if Medvedev finds himself in the latter stages of the US Open. From my perspective, Medvedev's strong hard-court game and his experience make him a serious contender for the US Open title. What many people don't realize is that his struggles at Grand Slam events are not a reflection of his overall talent. If he can maintain his form on hard courts, he could be a strong contender for the title.
Iga Swiatek: The Former World Number One
Poland's Iga Swiatek is a six-time Grand Slam champion and a former world number one, but the glory days seem a distant memory right now. She lost in the fourth round of the French Open and the third round of Wimbledon, and currently sits eighth in the WTA rankings. However, as they say, form is temporary, class is permanent. When her game clicks, Swiatek is one of the best players in the world and can beat anyone on tour. If that happens at the US Open, who knows, she might win her seventh Grand Slam title. Personally, I think Swiatek's experience and her strong all-around game make her a serious contender for the US Open title. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between her struggles at Wimbledon and her previous success at Grand Slam events. If she can maintain her form, she could be a surprise contender for the title.
In conclusion, the US Open is just around the corner, and these five players have the talent and the experience to challenge for the title. While Wimbledon may have been a disappointment for some, the hard courts of New York offer a fresh start and a chance to rediscover form. These players have the ability to bounce back and make a deep run at the US Open, and their prospects for the title are certainly worth watching. As the tennis world eagerly awaits the return of the sport's biggest stars, these five players stand out as potential contenders for the final Grand Slam of the year.
