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2019 US Open Tennis Tournament- Day Seven. A smiling Coco Gauff of the United States while hitting balls into the crowd after her victory with partner Catherine McNally of the United States in action Nicole Melichar of the United States and Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic in the Women’s doubles round two match on Louis Armstrong Stadium during the 2019 US Open Tennis Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 1st, 2019 in Flushing, Queens, New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
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2019 US Open Tennis Tournament- Day Seven. A smiling Coco Gauff of the United States while hitting balls into the crowd after her victory with partner Catherine McNally of the United States in action Nicole Melichar of the United States and Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic in the Women’s doubles round two match on Louis Armstrong Stadium during the 2019 US Open Tennis Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 1st, 2019 in Flushing, Queens, New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
The stage is set and the top tennis players are ready for the fourth and final annual Grand Slam tournament. While all eyes are on Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Ashleigh Barty, Naomi Osaka, and such, few others will also share the limelight at the US Open 2021. Chiefly, the youngest and the oldest tennis players in the men’s and women’s main draw will certainly garner some attention.
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Remarkably, both the youngest players in men’s and women’s lot won the USTA Boys’ and Girls’ 18s National Championships last week. As a result, they got a wildcard entry into the US Open 2021 main draw.
Read More: Serena Williams Featured as Wonder Woman With John McEnroe in a TV Campaign
US Open 2021 Men’s Singles: Youngest and Oldest Player
Earning a wildcard, 18-year-old American Zachary Svajda is the youngest male tennis player in the US Open 2021 singles main draw. Subsequently, 18-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz is the second-youngest. Another 18-year-old in the main draw is Denmark’s Holger Rune.
Moreover, only this season, Alcaraz won his maiden ATP title in Umag. Reaching as high as World No.54 in the rankings, the Spaniard is one to watch in New York. Similarly, Rune, who is coming off back-to-back titles on clay, will face Novak Djokovic in the opening round.
Reuters
Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Madrid Open – Caja Magica, Madrid, Spain – May 5, 2021 Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz Garfia in action during his round of 32 match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal REUTERS/Sergio Perez
Moreover, the 42-year-old Ivo Karlovic is the oldest man to compete for the American Grand Slam singles title in Flushing Meadows. It will be his last US Open this year.
Notably, Karlovic had to clear the three qualifying rounds for the main draw. Indeed, he put up an exceptional case to achieve this feat.
42 years old Ivo Karlovic qualifies for the #USOpen main draw.
It's the last tournament of his great career.
Great story!
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 28, 2021
Tragically, both have received tough opening-round opponents. While Alcaraz will take on British talent Cameron Norrie, Karlovic will face fifth seed Andrey Rublev in his first match.
Read More: Andy Murray vs Stefanos Tsitsipas and Other Exciting Match Ups at US Open 2021 R1
Women’s Singles: Youngest and Oldest Player
Surprisingly, Coco Gauff is not the youngest female tennis player in the singles competition. In fact, 17-year-old wildcard entrant Ashlyn Krueger is the youngest ace on the court. Other notable youngsters are Marta Kostyuk, Amanda Anisimova, Hailey Baptiste, Katie Volynets, Leylah Fernandez, Osorio Serrano, and Caty McNally.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 24: Cori Gauff of the United States practices with her coach and father, Corey Gauff, and coach before the start of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 24, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
On the veteran side, 2011 champion Samantha Stosur will lead the women’s singles group. Interestingly, she is fresh of winning the Cincinnati doubles title. It will be interesting to see if she can find some success in the singles category too.
Sam Stosur and Zhang Shuai reunited for the 1st time since February and won their 3rd team title.
The duo radiated positivity all week @CincyTennis.
"I'm so happy because I can play with my best friend every day.”#CincyTennis
Champs Corner: https://t.co/iOAdgPSjgG pic.twitter.com/dkFMmDkGTf
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) August 23, 2021
In the opening round, American Coco Gauff will take the Magda Linette test. Similarly, the 37-year-old Australian will meet Estonian Anett Kontaveit in her campaign opener.
All in all, the four players have the potential to do well in the US Open 2021. But only time will tell who the tennis gods will favor the most.
Who are your favorites for this year’s US Open title?
Also Read: In Serena Williams’ Absence, Which American Player Has the Best Chance at US Open 2021?
