US Open 2023, the last Grand Slam in tennis
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The last Grand Slams in tennis is the US Open, a reflection of what tennis turned out to be in 2023 and who is who. It concluded last Sunday in Flushing Meadows, New York. Most successful in recent years free of restrictions to spectators and players. A relief gave aura of freedom.
Noticeable tactical variant
US Open is a draw of 128 in each gender players have to come through six grueling rounds to win. Additionally men have to play best of five sets. A three-hour match was the order of the day for men. Some players clocked 15 hours of court time by the quarterfinals. Unable to cope, big names under performed.
During a rally, to gain time, players’ position way behind the baseline. In Casper Ruud, this is easily noticeable with Alexander Zverev coming close to him. Women who played well behind the baseline players could not find a slot in the last eight. This means half-volley drive from the base line or inside the court has turned out to be the most innovative tactical stroke in the game in 2023.
The two players who initiated this model in women’s tennis over a decade ago were Agnieska Radwadanska and profoundly Serena Williams. This difficult but tactical play takes away up to six metres of ball movement time from opponents comfort zone. This works as a ‘choke’. A good while ago, Canadians Eugene Bouchard, Bianca Andreescu and Leylah Fernandez and Raducanu used this with Italian Camila Giorgi French Alize Cornet and Caroline Garcia effectively.
In men’s tennis, maestro Roger Federer who had all of tennis executed this complicated shot with grace and venom. His repeated victories over Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal came with this.
All of US Open men quarter-finalist positioned in-court to rally effectively. This turned out to be surprisingly in the comfort zone of US men’s teenage novice semi-finalist Peyton Shelton. The version of tennis Shelton used was very refined, indicating player developments have incorporated many innovations. The uniform bounce of the concrete asphalt with rubberised surface is the best to accommodate this. All hard courts will accommodate half-volley-drive well. Ever evolving tennis.
Coco Gauff is US Open winner
The four women’s semi-finalists were, Karolina Muchova, Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys. As exponents of the game Muchova and Keys had most complete in strokes and game making. When they appeared to play the semi-finals, they were physically very low. Keys won the first five games against Sabalenka at 6/0 in their semi-final. Suddenly Keys’ game dropped off. She did not take injury time out until end of the second set, played the third with strapped thigh. Sabalenka out lasted her.
In right-handed players, upper thigh of the left leg and in left handed, the opposite takes tremendous stress while serving. Nearly 50 percent of all players had their thigh strapped in the US Open this year. In Muchova’s calm-storm match play approach is her label. She played with her arm and shoulder strapped. Muchova lost to Coco Gauff.
Coco Gauff is the sole survivor of the teenage parade of women tennis. In past years, she has developed well. Her first Grand Slam title and an eternal fame in US tennis. At 19 now, she has the height, necessary build and experience to take on the best. She played regular doubles and became an all court player. Her all court comfort zone matched Muchova in the semi-final and was way ahead of Sabalenka in the final. Sabalenka creditably reached semi-finals of all four Grand Slams this year.
Djokovic’s 24th Grand Slam title
Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Djokovic were seeded to reach the semi-finals, and Ben Shelton of USA was a surprise. With him, USA had a player in men’s semi-finals. Shelton’s game was solid and it took Djokovic to tame him.
Eventually Djokovic prevailed and took his 24th Grand Slam title. His present coach is compatriot Goran Ivesevich, former Top 10 and multiple Grand Slam winner, respected by Djokovic. As a player, Djokovic is emotional. The advantage he had was that he spent less time on the court to reach the finals than the other three.
Earlier Djokovic beat Alcaraz in the US Open series. On hard courts, Djokovic has the edge over the rest of the men’s field on hard courts. Medvedev is a proven player. Unfortunately, for him he arrived into the final after spending most amount of time on court. He looked very tired. The men played their matches serving at 140mph and second at 120mph, surprisingly all were returned. In the US Open 2023, AI did the lineman job, no disputes.
Another from Billie Jean King
Equal pay achieved by Billie Jean King 50 years ago. Now I saw another plaque with her name, it read ‘Pressure is a Previlage’. Players will have to ‘live with it’.
–George Paldano, European and Asian competition player; Coach German Tennis Federation; National coach Brunei and Sri Lanka; Davis Cup, Federation Cup coach, coached ATP, WTA and ITF ranked players in Europe and Asia; WhatsApp +94775448880–