5 promising ATP players to watch at US Open

• The 2023 US Open shape the dreams of many ATP Tour players due to its prestige and prize money
• It remains among the most competitive of all the other major slams not to mention that it has the highest cash prize
• There is $65 million at stake in this year’s tournament in the legendary city

The 2023 US Open, just like many other Grand Slam tournaments held here, shape the dreams of many ATP Tour players from oblivion to stardom.

It remains among the most competitive of all the other major slams not to mention that it has the highest prize money. There is a $65 million at stake in this year’s tournament in the legendary New York City that never sleeps. This is a special one this year as Novak Djokovic makes an appearance after missing in action for two years.

Still, the slam presents yet another opportunity for budding ATP players to flex their muscles. Here are some of the most promising male tennis players to keep an eye on at the 2023 US Open.

CHRISTOPHER EUBANKS

Christopher Eubanks at Wimbledon. Photo/CNN

Christopher Eubanks, 27, spent most of his career competing on the ATP Challenger Tour with a few tour-level events up until his 2023 Wimbledon run quarterfinal. It is the finest Grand Slam result, launched his career.

Despite defeating Britain’s Cameron Norrie, who advanced to the semi-finals in 2022, in the first round, his dramatic five-set victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas garnered him a legion of fans. And on home soil, he may well aim higher than his greatest performance from the second round in 2022.

BEN SHELTON

Ben Shelton only ever played in US Futures and Challenger tournaments until the ATP Tour season started in 2023. He recalls never leaving the US before the 2023 season. However, his first flight out of the US took him to Adelaide as is the norm before the start of the Australian Open where he advanced to the quarterfinals. His tennis star continues to shine bright since then and the 2023 US Open is another platform to illuminate his wit accordingly.

He has had almost a full year on the tour following his victory at the Australian Open, and he has a debut at the ATP Next Gen finals in mind.  In front of a boisterous home crowd, he will be confident of beating his Flushing Meadows best of a first-round exit from the previous year.

SEBASTIAN KORDA

Sebastian Korda reacts. Photo/ USTA.

Sebastian Korda is another American hopeful in this year’s run especially because he comes from a family of athletes. His father, Petr Korda, won the Australian Open in 1998 before emigrating to the US.

His sisters Nelly and Jessica Korda are popular golfers, and Sebastian who is the youngest in the family started the year strong by making it to the finals in Adelaide and the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. However, he was forced to withdraw due to an elbow injury that kept him out for three months.

If he can regain his rhythm, his comeback from injury originally appeared promising with a run to the Queen’s Club semi-finals and his run to back-to-back finals in the indoor hard-court season at the close of last season.

HENRY SEARLE

Henry Searle won the boys’ singles title at Wimbledon this year which made him popular. However, only a small number of people may be aware that he also advanced to the quarterfinals of the French Open.

We may have to wait a few years to see left-handed giant server Searle in the main draw of a Grand Slam, but after making his junior Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon last year, he has already made an impression there.

According to the ITF Junior rankings, Searle is presently rated No. 5 in the world, thus we can expect him to be one among the contenders for the US Open junior championship. In the next years, he will be a very fascinating British talent to watch if he can avoid injuries.

HOLGER RUNE

Holger Rune is expected to add Grand Slams to his collection of championships very soon, despite having already won the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Paris last year and advanced to the quarterfinals of two Grand Slam tournaments.

He stamped his tennis skills at the 2023 French Open and Wimbledon which is quite amazing. It is only a matter of time under Patrick Mouratoglou’s direction before the tenacious Dane is vying for tennis’ top honors.