aikidogs.com – Local Reports & Special Coverage

Jannik Sinner commenced his US Open title defense with a dominant victory, while Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff initiated their campaigns strongly. Sinner, aiming to be the first to retain the title since 2008, dismissed concerns about his recent illness. Swiatek and Gauff, former champions, also secured comfortable wins, setting the stage for an exciting tournament.

Iga Swiatek's US Open victory was overshadowed by news of Taylor Swift's engagement to Travis Kelce. The tennis star, a devoted Swiftie, expressed her excitement for Swift, highlighting her long-standing admiration for the singer. Swiatek credited Swift's music with aiding her English learning and personal growth, even attending her 'Eras Tour' and receiving a handwritten note.

Carlos Alcaraz's new haircut stole the show at the US Open, overshadowing his first-round win over Reilly Opelka. Venus Williams inspired with her return, while Madison Keys suffered a shocking defeat. Additionally, Petra Kvitova and Caroline Garcia retired, marking the end of their careers. A lost racket dampener also caused a brief on-court search. That and more on Day 2 at Flushing Meadows.

Venus Williams faced an emotional first-round defeat at the US Open against Karolina Muchova, casting doubt on her future in tennis. Despite a strong showing after a 16-month break, Williams lost in three sets. She expressed gratitude for the wild card entry and highlighted her improved physical condition compared to their previous encounter, emphasising her joy in playing pain-free.

US Open: Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz sported a new look in the first round of the US Open. The new haircut shocked many, including his close friend Frances Tiafoe.

Carlos Alcaraz, aiming for his second US Open title, debuted a shaved head as he began his campaign against Reilly Opelka. Venus Williams is also set to mark her 25th appearance at the tournament. Alcaraz's new look drew reactions, including playful criticism from friend Frances Tiafoe, adding a lighthearted note to the competition's start.

Rafael Nadal's sister Maribel congratulated Alexandra Eala, who scripted history at the US Open by becoming the first Filipino in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam main-draw match, defeating 14th seed Clara Tauson.

Aryna Sabalenka commenced her US Open title defence successfully, while Novak Djokovic progressed towards a potential record 25th Grand Slam. Alexandra Eala made history for the Philippines, and Indonesia's Janice Tjen also secured a notable win. Emma Raducanu marked her return with a victory, while Daniil Medvedev faced an unexpected early exit.

Francesca Jones, a 24-year-old Briton born with Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia, is set for her 2025 US Open main draw debut after a strong run through qualifying.

Alexandra Eala made history at the 2025 US Open, becoming the first Filipino in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam main-draw match. The 19-year-old stunned 14th seed Clara Tauson with a thrilling 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 comeback victory.

Daniil Medvedev's US Open match against Benjamin Bonzi descended into chaos when a photographer's on-court intrusion caused a significant delay. The disruption, lasting over six minutes, occurred at match point for Bonzi, leading to frustration and a prolonged booing from the crowd. Medvedev capitalized on the situation, fueling his comeback after Bonzi's momentum was broken.

Carlos Alcaraz, already a five-time Grand Slam champion, is still chasing consistency on hard courts, with his 2022 US Open triumph remaining his lone major success on the surface. Armed with momentum from a strong 2025 season, he now returns to New York determined to end his drought and reclaim hard-court glory.

Nineteen-year-old Learner Tien, with Vietnamese immigrant roots, faced Novak Djokovic at the U.S. Open, marking a significant milestone. Tien, who turned professional in 2023, had a breakthrough at the 2025 Australian Open. Despite losing to Djokovic, the match provided invaluable experience for the rising tennis star, highlighting his potential and resilience on the Grand Slam stage.

Novak Djokovic, aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title, overcame American teenager Learner Tien in the US Open first round despite a foot blister requiring a medical timeout. The Serbian secured a 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 victory, acknowledging rustiness but praising his resilience.

Ben Shelton defended his sponsor On, questioning its characterization as a small company. Jack Draper joined Vuori, highlighting non-traditional brands disrupting the industry’s status quo. Upstart brands like On and Lululemon are challenging Nike and Adidas' dominance in tennis apparel by signing top players like Iga Swiatek and Frances Tiafoe. Coco Gauff highlighted fashion's role in attracting new fans to tennis.

The US Open never had a Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal meeting but they would hope the newest rivalry in men's tennis - Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner - dubbed "Sincaraz" - would fare differently. On the women's side, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka targets her first major this year, with Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff two of her biggest rivals.

US Open: Novak Djokovic is set to play in the US Open. Before the tournament, Djokovic interacted with a young fan - Emerie - who posed as a lemonade seller.

US Open 2025: Several junior Indian players, led by Maaya Rajeshwaran and Kriish Tyagi, will feature in the upcoming tournament. Four others—Hitesh Chauhan, Arjun Rathi, Rethin Pranav Senthil Kumar, and Arnav Paparkar—will play in the boys' qualifying rounds.

US Open 2025: Thanasi Kokkinakis opened up on the massive competition between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz before the hard-court major gets underway on August 24 at Flushing Meadows.

Jessica Pegula enters the 2025 US Open with a mix of pressure and renewed confidence after a runner-up finish last year, despite recent early exits at the Citi Open, Wimbledon, National Bank Open, and Cincinnati.