Interesting stat as reigning champions return to defend US Open for first time since 2019 as top seeds
Tennis NewsFriday, 25 August 2023 at 20:30
The return
of Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek to the US Open has brought forth an
interesting statistic that hadn't been seen since 2019.
Just days
before the start of the tournament at Flushing Meadows, the Spanish and Polish
players arrive with the goal of defending their 2022 crowns. Swiatek showcased
her favoritism and secured her third Grand Slam to cap off a remarkable season,
defeating Ons Jabeur in the final with a score of 6-2, 7-6.
In Alcaraz's
case, he made an impressive journey, winning three of his matches in the fifth
set and ultimately defeating Casper Ruud in the final by 6-4, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3.
The Spaniard entered the main draw as the third seed and with the title, he
reached the world No. 1 ranking for the first time.
Interestingly,
both reigning champions from the previous edition now arrive as the first
seeds, a situation that hadn't occurred since 2019. While Swiatek held onto the
top spot continuously, Alcaraz totaled 34 weeks at the top, alternating with
Novak Djokovic during the past year.
The last
time both reigning champions arrived as the first seeds to defend their US Open
titles was in 2019, with Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka as the main favorites.
However,
both of them had their hopes of winning the title two times in a row dashed
that year, as the men's champion was the second seed Rafael Nadal, while the
women's champion was the 15th seed Bianca Andreescu.
The US Open
remains a tournament that few have managed to successfully defend. The last
time a male player achieved consecutive titles was Roger Federer, who secured
the remarkable feat of winning 5 titles in a row between 2004 and 2008.
On the
women's side, the last player to do so was Serena Williams, who claimed the title
three times in a row between 2012 and 2014.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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