New York, USA – An electric close to the Grand Slam season awaits in New York City at the 2023 US Open. Team Yonex, with its strongest squad ever, looks to make plenty of noise in the city that doesn’t sleep, with the main draw underway on Monday, August 28th.
Hard court Queen Rybakina is back at USO
Although her Wimbledon win from a year ago is the most well-known achievement for Elena Rybakina (KAZ), it is on hard courts where she has been most successful this season. The world No.4 is particularly comfortable on American soil, winning the WTA 1000 at Indian Wells in March and reaching the final of the Miami Open after being runner-up at the Australian Open. Overall, she’s 25-8 this year on hard. With her success, Rybakina’s popularity has grown, too, as she eyes a second major trophy in her career.
Ruud returns a year after inspiring run
Casper Ruud (NOR) is a player who knows how to approach tennis’ majors as well as any of his contemporaries. Last year, he rebounded from an opening-match loss in Cincinnati with an inspiring run to the final here, his second Grand Slam final in just three months. Already a consistent force at 24, he’s reached the impressive milestone of 100 consecutive weeks in the Top 10 earlier this summer. With his explosive forehand, he aims for another deep run at a major, and will be looking for his 30th win of 2023 in the first round.
Can Americans capitalize on home court advantage?
Some of the top heroes at the Open will take to their home court with Yonex racquets in their hands. World No.3 Jessica Pegula just won the WTA 1000 in Montreal, defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinal. She returns to Flushing Meadows with momentum on her side.
Frances Tiafoe, last year's semifinalist, also has momentum having broken into the Top 10 earlier this year. His close friend Tommy Paul also has shown rapid improvement since joining the Yonex team, too: In Toronto this summer, he stunned world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz to make a run to the semifinals and reach a career-high world No.13.
Another promising player American is Ben Shelton. The big serving left-hander has the potential to take down anyone when he plays at his best. Back in the U.S. after his run to the Australian Open quarterfinals, the 20-year-old will have plenty of eyes on him.
Other notable Yonex players include 38-year-old veteran Stan Wawrinka (SUI), a former world No. 3 and three-time Grand Slam champion, including here at the US Open in 2016, who is currently in excellent condition using his new racquet PERCEPT. After recovering from injuries, Wawrinka returned to action last year and has shown his strength as a highly-experienced player, surprising many with his recent victory against Tiafoe in Cincinnati. He’s set to face fellow Yonex family member Yoshihito Nishioka in the first round, a match-up that will feature power vs. court coverage and shot-making that promises to show us the beauty of the sport.
Elena Rybakina (KAZ) | VCORE 100[LINK]/ POLYTOUR FIRE 125[LINK] / New York Collection[LINK]
Casper Ruud (NOR) | EZONE 100[LINK] / POLYTOUR SPIN[LINK] / POLYTOUR PRO 130[LINK] / ECLIPSION[LINK] / New York Collection [LINK]
Jessica Pegula (USA) | EZONE 98[LINK]
Frances Tiafoe (USA) | VCORE PRO 97[LINK] / POLYTOUR PRO 125[LINK]
Tommy Paul (USA) | VCORE 98[LINK]
Ben Shelton (USA) | EZONE 98[LINK] / POLYTOUR PRO 125[LINK]
Stan Wawrinka (SUI) | PERCEPT 97[LINK] / ECLIPSION[LINK] / New York Collection[LINK]
Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) | VCORE 98[LINK] / POLYTOUR PRO [LINK] / New York Collection [LINK] / FUSIONREV [LINK]
