The US Open is rapidly approaching, with the ATP and WTA stars preparing for the tournament at the Cincinnati Open.
Iga Swiatek says the schedule is ‘crazy’, with many women’s players having just competed at the Toronto Open.
Many men’s players meanwhile took part in the Montreal Open, with several players across both the ATP and WTA having played at the Olympics.
The US Open is implementing a new rule, with the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year set to start at Flushing Meadows later this month.
Novak Djokovic will be aiming to defend his US Open title in New York, with Coco Gauff looking to do the same.
US Open make Naomi Osaka wild card decision
But there will be a long list of players looking to cause a shock, one of which is two-time winner Naomi Osaka.
She won two of her four Grand Slam titles at the US Open, clinching the prestigious trophy in 2018 and 2020.
And having returned to the WTA Tour in January following the birth of her first child, the former world number one has been handed a wild card into the US Open, as per the US Open website.
Osaka says she doesn’t feel like herself lately, with the 26-year-old having failed to make it through qualifying at the Cincinnati Open.
Can Naomi Osaka cause a stir at the US Open?
Osaka certainly knows what it takes to cause an upset, having won her first US Open title and first Grand Slam against Serena Williams in 2018.
That was quickly followed by a second against Victoria Azarenka in 2020, with Osaka also winning the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021.
But she has been struggling with form lately, having failed to make it past the quarter-finals of any tournament this season.
That is, however, very understandable given her emotional state, and indeed her recent return to the sport.
It is certain to be an emotional return to Flushing Meadows for Osaka, who will perhaps be focusing more on enjoying the event rather than mounting a serious title challenge.
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