The fuss surrounding Jannik Sinner’s positive tests is dominating the headlines ahead of the start of the US Open. In sporting terms, he is one of Alexander Zverev’s top competitors. There is a change for TV viewers.
The organizers of the US Open present Jannik Sinner in a celebratory pose. The South Tyrolean, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are advertised as “three for the show” in the list of title favorites on the official website. But the mood shortly before the start of the last Grand Slam tournament of the season is by no means as carefree as the pictures might suggest. The acquittal of the world number one after two positive doping tests is dominating the headlines in the tennis world. The most important things about the US Open, which begins on Monday, at a glance:
What impact does the fuss surrounding Sinner have on the tournament?
In sporting terms, none at first, the 23-year-old leads the field as the top seed. After two positive tests in March for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol and a provisional suspension, Sinner was acquitted by an independent court, according to the responsible tennis agency Itia. The Australian Open winner’s explanation that the banned substance accidentally entered his body during a massage was considered conclusive.
Shortly before the US Open, Sinner secured the title at the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati – and is also considered one of the top favorites in New York. Now, however, the sought-after advertising medium with the clean-cut image must deal with being the focus of even more attention. The matter is not yet over for Sinner: The World Anti-Doping Agency WADA reserves the right to investigate the case.
What are Alexander Zverev’s chances of winning his first Grand Slam title?
The 2021 Olympic champion is at least one of the extended group of favorites. In the semifinals in Cincinnati, the world number four was only narrowly defeated by Sinner in three sets. Last year, Zverev defeated his Italian opponent at the US Open in a spectacular five-set thriller, but was then clearly defeated by the Spaniard Alcaraz. None of the hottest candidates for the men’s title starts in New York without question marks: Last year’s winner Djokovic has not yet played a hard court match after his long-awaited Olympic triumph in Paris, and Alcaraz failed in the opening match in Cincinnati.
What are the further prospects for Germany?
Especially for German tennis players, and not just since Angelique Kerber’s retirement from the Olympic Games, things are hardly promising. Tatjana Maria is currently the best-ranked player and is ranked 87th in the world. For former Wimbledon quarterfinalist Jule Niemeier, it would also be considered a success if she survived the first round after apparently overcoming the low point in her career. German women’s tennis is currently worlds apart from favorites such as Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus, world number one Iga Swiatek from Poland and 2023 champion Coco Gauff from the USA.
Where can fans watch the US Open?
The US Open is not free for German viewers. The tournament will be shown on both the pay-TV channel Sky and Sportdeutschland.TV. The internet broadcaster has owned the broadcasting rights since 2023 and has granted a sublicense to Sky for the first time. The pass for the entire tournament on Sportdeutschland.TV costs 20 euros, a single match costs 5 euros. Boris Becker is one of the experts; the German legend will comment on games together with Matthias Stach from the studio in Germany.
What’s new at the US Open?
The debate about video evidence in tennis has recently been reignited by controversial referee decisions. It is “embarrassing” that this technical assistance does not exist, complained superstar Djokovic a few days ago. The US Open was the first Grand Slam tournament to introduce video evidence a year ago. With this version, players can already request a check on eight courts to see whether, for example, a ball has bounced twice. In addition, the aim is to prevent night session matches from ending almost at dawn: if a game has not started by 11:15 p.m. local time, it can now be moved to another court.
Source: Stern
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