Brooksby Wins Marathon Over Ymer To Reach Round 2

Fast-rising American Jenson Brooksby is set to move to a new career-high FedEx ATP Ranking after surviving a draining four-set battle with Swede Mikael Ymer Tuesday night to reach the second round of the US Open. The 20-year-old fought off bouts of cramps before channelling the energy of American fans to tough out a 7-5, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 win in a match featuring 19 breaks of serve and lasting three hours and 59 minutes.

Both players littered the stats sheet, with Brooksby hitting 37 winners to 59 unforced errors and Ymer, last week’s Winston-Salem finalist, hitting 33 winners to 63 unforced errors. Brooksby will next play the winner of Taylor Fritz and 14th seed Alex de Minaur.

Brooksby made a fast start to the US Open Series, reaching the Newport final on grass and the Washington D.C. semi-finals on hard court. But he had not won a match since, falling in the first round in Toronto and not playing in Cincinnati.

Fellow American Zachary Svajda, 18, claimed his first tour-level win when he upset Italy's former Roland Garros semi-finalist Marco Cecchinato 7-6(6), 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. The World No. 716 and 2019 USTA boys' national champion had played just two ATP Challengers and two ITF Men's World Tour events this year before arriving at Flushing Meadows.

Countryman Ernesto Escobedo advanced to the second round for the third time in his career with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 win over Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas. It was just the fourth win of the year for the 25-year-old Californian.

Steve Johnson clawed past German qualifier Maximilian Marterer 5-7, 7-6(8), 7-6(8), 6-3 after three hours and five minutes. The American saved two set points in the second-set tie-break and four set points in the third-set tie-break to seize control and earn a second-round clash against 17th seed Gael Monfils, who eliminated Federico Coria 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

“I felt good today. I felt great,” Monfils said. “I had a good match, good performance. Quick. 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Good start, so I feel good.”

Like Johnson, countryman Jack Sock also advanced in four sets. The wild card claimed his third win of the year against Japanese lefty Yoshihito Nishioka 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.

Next up for the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals singles qualifier will be shotmaking Kazakhstani Alexander Bublik, the 31st seed, who eliminated German Yannick Hanfmann 6-0, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. Other Americans who advanced were Mackenzie McDonald, who upset 27th seed David Goffin 6-2, 7-5, 6-3, and Denis Kudla, who rallied past Laslo Djere 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-6(4).

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Djokovic Overcomes Hiccup To Beat Rune At US Open

It was not a perfect start to his chase for the Grand Slam, but Novak Djokovic escaped unscathed on Tuesday evening and reached the second round of the US Open.

After a second-set hiccup, the World No. 1 beat #NextGenATP star Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-1 in two hours and 15 minutes in front of a raucous Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd. The Danish teen suffered from cramps in the final two sets.

"It's tough to talk about [the] third and fourth sets because he barely moved. [From] my side, I started great. Played a really, really good first set. After that, I don't know, I was 4-3 serving in the second set. Everything was working well, but then I just lost the first serve," Djokovic said. "Credit to him for fighting. He had the crowd behind him. It was tough to play in my first match, even though I had tonnes of experience playing on this court, for him it was the first one.

"Still, you get nerves. You still are feeling a little bit rusty at the beginning. Obviously I'm pleased with the way I finished the match. Again, it was not a fair battle on the court with his unfortunate injury and cramping."

Djokovic is now six match wins from becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to claim all four major titles in one season. The three-time US Open champion will next face Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.

Entering the match, 18-year-old Rune told ATPTour.com that, “I have a lot of belief in myself even though I’m up against the World No. 1.” The Danish teen showed it by playing courageously in the second set and taking a tense tie-break, during which he rallied the New York fans on his side.

But ultimately, he was unable to sustain his aggressive play long enough to trouble the top seed further. Rune was visited by the trainer on multiple occasions in the final two sets to receive treatment on his upper legs for apparent cramping. Djokovic took advantage by hitting 55 winners to just 30 unforced errors.

"Unfortunately, my fitness let me down. I started cramping already in the beginning of the third set. From there on, it was tough," Rune said. "I knew if I [wanted] to win, I really had to fight for every point. With my body at this point, it was impossible."

After match point the 20-time major winner, who can pass Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for most Slam titles with a trophy at the end of this fortnight, had a lengthy exchange with Rune at the net to give him encouragement.

"I just told him that he handled himself extremely well. He didn't want to stop," Djokovic said. "I thought he was going to stop [at] the end of the third. He just kept going with dignity, finished off the match. He deserved definitely my respect, the respect of a lot of people. He's still very, very young, 18 years old. He's got plenty of time ahead of him. I'm sure we're going to see a lot of him in the future."

Despite the defeat, Rune will never forget the match. The crowd even chanted "Rune!" in support of the teen.

"I never felt anything like this. It was [an] unbelievable feeling staying there. I tried to give the crowd something, fight for every point, be pumped and everything," Rune said. "The crowd was unbelievable. I couldn't have asked for more. I never tried anything like this. It was a pretty sick feeling."

Djokovic's next opponent, Griekspoor, battled past big-hitting German Jan-Lennard Struff 2-6, 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 after three hours and 38 minutes.

Did You Know?
Djokovic is now 16-0 in first-round matches at the US Open. The Serbian has not lost in the opening round at a major since the 2006 Australian Open, when he was No. 76 in the FedEx ATP Rankings.

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Cressy Saves 4 MPs, Seppi Saves 5 In US Open Thrillers

Maxime Cressy cracked a return and rushed the net against Pablo Carreno Busta, forcing a backhand passing shot error from the ninth-seeded Spaniard on the final point of their first-round US Open clash Tuesday. The 24-year-old American put his arms up in jubilation as the fans in the packed stands surrounding Court 4 rose in unison to celebrate their man’s first-round US Open victory. Less than 50 feet away, Carreno Busta smashed his racquet in frustration.

It was a thrilling triumph for Cressy and a heartbreaking defeat for Carreno Busta. After saving four match points in the deciding tie-break, it was the home favorite who advanced 5-7, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(7) in three hours and 35 minutes behind his daring serve-and-volley game. The qualifier saved three of the four match points with impressive volleys under intense pressure.

"I just told myself to focus on holding my serve efficiently. I could tell he was starting to get a little nervous and I kept at it," said Cressy, who hit 44 aces. "In the fifth set he did not give me anything.

"The crowd helped me out big time. It would have been very difficult without them and I was very grateful they were behind me the whole time."

Carreno Busta is a two-time US Open semi-finalist who arrived in New York with momentum after winning the singles bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. But he was unable to hold off Cressy, the No. 151 player in the FedEx ATP Rankings, who is through to the second round at Flushing Meadows for the second consecutive year. The American will next play Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili, who advanced when #NextGenATP American Sebastian Korda retired in the second set of their match due to a medical reason.

That was not the only thrilling fifth-set tie-break of the early evening at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Andreas Seppi, a 37-year-old Italian playing the US Open for the 18th consecutive year, outlasted Hungarian Marton Fucsovics 2-6, 7-5, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(13) after four hours and four minutes.

Seppi saved five match points in his final-set tie-break and let slip four chances of his own to close out the match. But finally, the World No. 89 completed his victory by putting away an overhead off a lob that lingered in the air for what felt like eternity. The Italian will next play Miami champion Hubert Hurkacz, who eliminated Belarusian Egor Gerasimov 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.

In another five-set thriller, Australian Jordan Thompson battled past Italian Gianluca Mager 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(3) after three hours and 30 minutes to earn a second-round match against 21st seed Aslan Karatsev, this year’s Australian Open semi-finalist, who beat Spaniard Jaume Munar 7-5, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.

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Molcan's Mixed Motivations: Tigers, Buddha and Novak

Slovakian Alex Molcan remembers the moments before this year’s Belgrade Open final vividly. The 23-year-old, then a qualifier who was No. 255 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, was steadily hitting groundstrokes across the net during the warmup when the stadium emcee began to introduce the players.

“[He] said 'Novak Djokovic, World No. 1, 18 Grand Slams',” Molcan remembered. “To be there was amazing. I had goosebumps.”

Molcan lost that championship match against Djokovic in straight sets, but it was an important moment in his career. He proved to himself that he was capable of playing with the very best in the sport. It also showed how far the Slovakian had come.

The Presov-native, who is into the second round of the US Open on his major main draw debut, began playing tennis when he was five. Molcan’s parents took him for lessons, and he also played football and a bit of ice hockey (the 5 a.m. wakeups kept him from continuing with hockey).

At age 10, Molcan’s parents divorced. Two years later, things changed even more. The lefty moved 400 kilometres west to Bratislava, a city on the Austrian border, with his mother Andrea.

“We had to move because it’s not possible to play in other [Slovakian] cities I would say. Only in Bratislava can you become a good player, you have to move there,” Molcan said. “My mother sacrificed a lot. The family was basically broke because of tennis, but now it’s all good because I’m an adult. She changed her life because of me and that’s what I’m most thankful for.”

^{Photo Credit: Pete Staples/USTA}
When Molcan first moved, he was not sad or scared because he had friends who had also moved to Bratislava and were doing well. The family had some help financially, but things were not always easy.

“There were some bad moments of course. We didn’t have money, so she had to start to work. It was crazy. We moved with my little sister, who was two, three, four years old,” Molcan said. “[My mom] was working from 6 until 4 and my sister was at [preschool]. She finished her job, went for my sister or sometimes I had to go because she didn’t have the time. She was working basically all day. I was practising all day, my sister was in school. It was tough for us.

“But somehow we managed to stay there. She worked hard, I worked hard and after that everything was fine.”

When Molcan was 15, his mother moved home, and he stayed with a friend and his family for a year-and-a-half.

“It wasn’t good because we were young and stupid and we did stupid things, classic [teens]. Then she moved back, because it was the best thing possible,” Molcan said. “Then when I was 18, she left again to Presov. Since then I’ve lived there with my brother and my girlfriend.”

Molcan is thankful for the opportunities his mother provided him and their family. When he was 18, he showed it by getting his first tattoo, which depicts her birthday.

“I went one day after my birthday to the tattoo artist and the first thing in my mind was I had to have her birthday,” Molcan said. “It clicked, I knew I would get that one.”

 

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Tattoos have become a big part of Molcan’s life. Among those he has are a tiger, a temple, a lotus flower, Buddha and an image of mythological hero Perseus.

“Every tattoo has some meaning,” Molcan said. “I like many cultures. That’s why I have many cultural tattoos on my arm and also I’m starting on the other arm… Sometimes when I have a hard match, I look at my tiger when I need to fight. Then I look at Buddha because I need to think.

“I find that during the match I look at them and it gives me motivation.”

The Slovakian was a Top 20 junior, but several injuries — including to his wrist, shoulder and back — prevented him from finding consistency. Once, he even suffered an abdominal tear casually kicking a ball off court for fun.

But after beginning 2021 outside the Top 300, it has been a breakthrough season. Molcan qualified for his first two ATP Tour main draws in Antalya and Marseille. And then came his breakthrough in Belgrade, where he defeated Fernando Verdasco and Federico Delbonis en route to his championship clash against Djokovic.

 

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“Since then many things have changed in my confidence. That was the big step up for me. Of course I’m trying to improve and trying to learn. I’m always looking back to Belgrade, because from there I took many lessons, especially from the final against Djokovic,” Molcan said. “It was the opening of a door for me to see how I should play tennis or how big tennis is played.

“I know that I have confidence now in my game. I know that I can play with these guys. I always knew that I can beat good guys. But in the past, sometimes I won a crazy match against a good player and then I lost against a different level player. I was having trouble keeping my level all the time for a tournament.

“Now I’m not jumping from good performance to bad performance. I’m keeping my level in the same line. Sometimes it jumps up and sometimes it goes down, but I’m still fighting because I believe in my game. I believe that I can beat anyone if I play really good.”

After falling short in his first attempt at qualifying for a major at Wimbledon, Molcan lifted his first ATP Challenger Tour trophy in Liberec. The World No. 138 has shown his fighting spirit at the US Open, where he saved two match points in his final-round qualifying clash against Gastao Elias, and then beat Turkey’s Cem Ilkel in the first round of the main draw. Molcan will try to continue his impressive run against #NextGenATP American Brandon Nakashima.

“I am a fighter,” Molcan said. “I will fight on the court. I will try to win every point possible and I hope the fans enjoy my game.”

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Berrettini Blasts Past Chardy At The US Open

Matteo Berrettini faced a difficult first-round foe on Tuesday afternoon at the US Open, but navigated the big points well to beat Jeremy Chardy 7-6(5), 7-6(7), 6-3 after two hours and 31 minutes.

The Italian did well to battle through his opener in straight sets in his first major appearance since advancing to the Wimbledon final two months ago. The sixth seed blasted 37 winners to just 15 unforced errors and will next play countryman Stefano Travaglia or Frenchman Corentin Moutet.

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center has been a good venue for Berrettini, who made his first big breakthrough at Flushing Meadows two years ago by advancing to the semi-finals as the 24th seed.

Now the 25-year-old is a consistent threat at every tournament, and he is currently in sixth place in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin. The Rome-native is pursuing a second appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals, which would be especially meaningful this year as the season finale moves to his home country.

Berrettini had to work hard to move past the dangerous Chardy, who owns three Top 10 wins at majors. However, the Frenchman was unable to capitalise on big opportunities in the first two sets.

Chardy hit a double fault with a 5/3 lead in the first-set tie-break, and lost the set. He then served for the second set, but was unable to convert a set point at 5-4 before again falling short in a tie-break.

In the pair’s only previous ATP Head2Head meeting in Marseille two years ago, Berrettini triumphed 7-6(12), 7-6(0). But they would not go to a fifth consecutive tie-break. Berrettini continued playing his aggressive game as Chardy’s level slipped, and he broke twice to take the third set.

Did You Know?
Berrettini has now won seven consecutive matches against Frenchman dating back to July 2018.

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Shapovalov Soars Past Delbonis At US Open

Seventh seed Denis Shapovalov snapped a four-match losing streak on Tuesday as he cruised past Argentine Federico Delbonis 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 to reach the second round at the US Open.

The Canadian has fond memories in New York, having enjoyed a run to his first major quarter-final last season at Flushing Meadows. The 22-year-old set the wheels in motion for another strong performance this year as he won 87 per cent (39/45) of his first-serve points against Delbonis to advance in one hour and 48 minutes.

“It is always tough to come out in the first match,” Shapovalov said. “It is a place I have always played well, but you don’t know what form you will be in. There were a lot of tough games I was able to win. I am very happy to just capitalise on the chances and I am so happy to be back here with all the fans.”

Shapovalov, who suffered disappointing second-round defeats on home soil in Toronto and in Cincinnati earlier this month, will be eager to regain the form that he showed at Wimbledon in July, when he advanced to his maiden major semi-final.

The World No. 10 has never fallen before the third round in four previous appearances at the US Open. The Geneva finalist will look to maintain this record against Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena or 24-year-old Tommy Paul in the second round.

“There are so many top players in the world, it is super tough,” Shapovalov added. “As soon as the tournament gets started, you get into your little bubble to prepare. It is so great to see so many familiar faces and I really appreciate the support.”

In a dominant performance against Delbonis, Shapovalov looked to step inside the baseline and fire his backhand early down the line to manoeuvre the Argentine around the court. The 22-year-old hammered 24 winners in the first two sets as he pinned Delbonis behind the baseline, before sealing his victory when the 30-year-old found the net with his forehand.

Delbonis was aiming to break a four-match US Open losing streak, having recorded his previous victory in New York in 2016. The World No. 47, who has yet to win a match on hard this season, has reached semi-finals on clay in Santiago, Belgrade and Hamburg this year.

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Emma Raducanu enjoys perfect US Open start with confident win over Stefanie Vogele

The British teenager won 6-2, 6-3 and produced a confident and classy display of tennis to dispatch her far more experienced opponent in 78 minutes.

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Zverev Begins US Open Campaign

Fourth seed Alexander Zverev extended his winning streak to 12 matches on Tuesday as he moved past American Sam Querrey 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 to reach the second round at the US Open.

The German has been in dominant form in recent weeks, defeating World No. 1 Novak Djokovic en route to the Tokyo Olympics singles gold medal, before capturing his fifth ATP Masters 1000 crown in Cincinnati earlier this month.

"It is great to be back,” Zverev said in his on-court interview. “I still remember last year’s final. I still remember the four-hour match that I lost, unfortunately. It is great to be back on Arthur Ashe Stadium and have the fans back, we definitely missed them last year.”

Zverev showcased this confidence against Querrey as he hammered 36 winners and broke four times to advance in one hour and 39 minutes. The 24-year-old will next face either Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas or former World No. 10 Lucas Pouille as he aims to lift his maiden major trophy in New York over the next fortnight.

”I hope in two weeks’ time I will be on an 18-match winning streak,” Zverev said. “Novak [Djokovic] is chasing history to win all four majors for the first time since Rod Laver [1969], but I think the young guys are going to try and get in the way of that. I am looking forward to maybe giving him a challenge as well.”

The 17-time tour-level titlist, who came within two points of clinching his first major title at last year’s US Open (l. to Thiem), has also lifted trophies on hard in Acapulco and clay in Madrid this season, while reaching the semi-finals at Roland Garros in June.

“I have been working extremely hard on a lot of things, like my serve,” Zverev added. “But when I am happy it is when I am playing well. That is the most important thing. The past year has been very good for me.”

In a tight first two sets, Zverev waited patiently for his opportunities, breaking at the end in both as he raised his level, hitting with greater depth and consistency to put pressure on Querrey’s serve. The fourth seed hit 18 aces and did not face a break point in the match, racing through the third set to seal his victory.

Querrey, who overcame Mischa Zverev to reach the quarter-finals in New York in 2017, was making his 15th appearance at the US Open.

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Musetti Moves Through On US Open Debut

#NextGenATP Italian Lorenzo Musetti battled back on Tuesday to record victory on his US Open debut as he overcame American wild card Emilio Nava 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 to reach the second round in New York.

The 19-year-old, who snapped a six-match losing streak with his win, committed just 18 unforced errors to advance in two hours and 31 minutes. Musetti will next face big-serving American Reilly Opelka after the 22nd seed overcame Soonwoo Kwon 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-4.

The Italian, currently No. 60 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, was ranked outside the Top 250 this time last year. However, Musetti has risen quickly, enjoying impressive hard-court results this season with runs to the last four in Acapulco and the third round in Miami.

The Lyon semi-finalist, who edged past Nava in the Australian Open boys’ singles final in 2019, also reached the fourth round at Roland Garros in June, falling to World No. 1 Novak Djokovic after leading the 34-year-old by two-sets-to-love.

Musetti is fifth in the ATP Race To Milan and will be targeting a strong end to the season as he tries to qualify for the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals, which will be held in Milan from 9-13 November.

The 19-year-old Nava was competing in his second tour-level event of the season, after advancing through qualifying to reach the third round in Miami in March.

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Grand Slam Glory: How Djokovic Caught Roger And Rafa

Around the time Roger Federer won his first major singles title, at Wimbledon in 2003, Novak Djokovic was playing a Futures event in Beograd, Serbia. He was 16 years old, ranked No. 768 in the FedEx ATP Rankings and won $480 for reaching the semi-finals.

When Federer won the 2007 US Open, his 12th major singles title, Djokovic, now 20, had zero. By the time of Federer’s record-breaking 15th Grand Slam championship, at 2009 Wimbledon, Djokovic had finally gotten on the board, winning the 2008 Australian Open.

That was a dozen years ago. Heading into this US Open, Djokovic, Federer and Rafael Nadal all have a once-unimaginable 20 major titles, but only the Serb will step on court at Flushing Meadows this year. He is favoured to become the first to 21 and, for good measure, to complete a Grand Slam.

How did Djokovic catch his great rivals them so quickly?

Brad Gilbert, sitting in his northern California home, laughs and repeats the question.

“How did he catch them?” the ESPN analyst asks. “A s*%#load of winning. He’s won eight out of the past 12, OK? Fed has none in that time, and Rafa has three – which isn’t all that bad. The bottom line is that Djokovic has been more prolific in his early 30s.”

Djokovic, still only 34 years old, has huge advantages of time, age and physical fitness on his rivals going forward. Federer, who turned 40 in August, is out for the year after announcing another knee surgery. Nadal, 35, will also miss the US Open and the remainder of the year with a foot injury. Djokovic, whose training regimen famously features yoga, tai chi and lots of stretching, remains limber and lithe, fluid and flexible.

“For as long as he has been playing, Novak’s been chasing Roger and Rafa,” said four-time Grand Slam champion Jim Courier, “and is now on the verge of passing them in the major title count.

“To win as much as he has is already incredible, but to do it in this era with the other two greatest players on the other side of the net boggles the mind.”

Here’s another mind-boggler: Since Federer’s breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2003, the Big Three has won 60 of the 72 major singles titles available – an unprecedented swath of success. Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka managed to win three each, followed by Juan Martin del Potro, Marin Cilic, Marat Safin, Gaston Gaudio, Andy Roddick and Dominic Thiem, with one each.

In 2003, a gallon of gas cost $1.89, iTunes was launched and J.K. Rowling published her fifth Harry Potter book – so it’s been a virtual monopoly on majors for close to two decades. Because of their age differences – and personal curves of physical and mental maturity – each player has enjoyed a significant run of dominance.

Federer reached 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals from 2005 Wimbledon to the 2007 US Open, where he was 8-2, with the losses coming to Nadal. Nadal’s best streak, when he won eight of 17 major titles, came from Roland Garros 2010-14.

With Federer, then Nadal and now Djokovic all taking their turn at the top, it’s been difficult for the rest of the ATP field to break through. It’s also worth noting that each of the Big Three has a different favourite major. Nadal has 13 Roland Garros titles, while Federer is an eight-time Wimbledon champion. Djokovic has nine Australian Open titles and is the only man to win all four twice.

Djokovic, as Gilbert points out, has now won eight of the past 12 majors – all of them after turning 30. Ultimately, the post-30 scoreboard has proved to be the difference-maker: Djokovic (8), Nadal (6), Federer (4).

Consistency has been Djokovic’s career calling card. Djokovic has spend 336 weeks at No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, passing Federer’s record mark of 310 weeks earlier in the season. It’s conceivable that Djokovic next year will even top the 377 weeks Stefanie Graf sat atop the WTA Rankings. 

One man who will be keenly watching Djokovic’s progress at the US Open is Australian Rod Laver. Just in from a round of golf near his home in southern California, Laver marvelled at Djokovic’s 2021 form.

“It’s amazing,” Laver says, “that Djokovic is playing as good as he is.”

^{Photo Credit: Pete Staples/USTA}
Laver is the only tennis player in history to win all four Grand Slam titles in a single season twice, in 1962 and 1969. Djokovic is in position to become only the third man to achieve the Grand Slam. He won titles earlier this year at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Don Budge won the Grand Slam in 1939, followed by Maureen Connolly (1953), Margaret Court (1970) and Graf (1988).

Djokovic actually held all four major titles simultaneously, winning 2015 Wimbledon, the 2015 US Open, the 2016 Australian Open (beating Federer in all three finals) and 2016 Roland Garros (Andy Murray). Three women — Navratilova, Graf and Serena Williams — have also won non-calendar Grand Slams.

“I think Novak’s got a good chance to win the Slam,” Laver adds. “He’s a worthy champion.”

After winning at Wimbledon, Djokovic made the long journey to Tokyo, hoping to win an Olympic gold medal and set himself up for an attempt to equal Graf’s Golden Slam of 1988. He reached the semi-finals, but fell to Alexander Zverev, later losing the bronze medal match to Pablo Carreno Busta.

“Will he win in New York?” Gilbert asks. “It will be interesting to see. He didn’t play Toronto or Cincinnati coming in. He loses three times in 2021, then loses on back-to-back days in Tokyo.

“Can he hit the re-set button in New York? There will be a lot of pressure.”

Courier also referenced the p-word.

“I think he’ll do it [win the US Open], but the pressure will be unlike anything he has experienced,” Courier says. “He is not likely to get another chance to go for a Grand Slam, so it adds massive weight to the moment.

“We saw what happened when Serena was in this position in New York some years ago and was upset in the semis by an unlikely foe, Roberta Vinci.”

Williams had won the first three majors of 2015, reached the US Open semi-finals by beating sister Venus in the quarters, but lost to Vinci for the only time in her career. Likewise, Serena has been 0-4 in attempting to secure a record-tying 24th major singles title at the ages of 36 and 37.

Courier believes the next two weeks could go a long way toward determining the sport’s GOAT – the Greatest Of All Time.

“If Novak becomes the only one of the big three to win the Grand Slam,” Courier says, “it would be a large differentiator and important part of the eventual discussion of who had the greatest career.”

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Stefanos Tsitsipas' brother hits back at Andy Murray as US Open feud takes new twist

Andy Murray aimed another dig at Stefanos Tsitsipas following their fiery US Open clash, and the Greek's brother has now involved himself in the spat.

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Andy Murray backed by legendary tennis coach in Stefanos Tsitsipas row after US Open exit

Andy Murray accused Stefanos Tsitsipas of "cheating" when he took a lengthy bathroom break during their five-set US Open thriller.

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Fashion Court: Musetti Takes His Inspiration From This Legend...

Lorenzo Musetti has taken the ATP Tour by storm this year with wins over stars including Diego Schwartzman, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Grigor Dimitrov. The 19-year-old begins the US Open in fifth in the ATP Race To Milan, as he tries to qualify for the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals, which will be held in Milan from 9-13 November.

The Italian is excited to try to earn his spot in the 21-and-under season finale, and Musetti is also a fan of Milan itself.

“Milan is the city centre in Europe for fashion,” Musetti said. “It is a business, it is really technologically [advanced], investing a lot of money in future things and big events. I think Rome and Milan are the biggest cities in Italy. Rome is more historic and Milan is more the new city, the future. We are the Next Gen and the future.”

Before Musetti continues his push for Milan at Flushing Meadows — and ahead of New York Fashion Week (8-12 September) — ATPTour.com spoke to the #NextGenATP star about his style, the legend whom he draws fashion inspiration from and more.

Read More Fashion Court Features
Opelka Explains Why A Clear Identity Is Key In Fashion & Tennis
Dimitrov 'Goes With The Flow'

How much do you like the fashion industry?
I like it. I did something with Nike, I did a photoshoot with Moncler. I like to be in the fashion world because I like to not just play tennis, but have space with everything [else I enjoy]. I like to dress a little bit differently. A lot of brands like my style, my character, so I think I am going to get into a nice situation [in fashion].

Who is your fashion inspiration?
Roger Federer. Even if he doesn’t show too much, he is one of the icons in fashion. His look is always elegant, simple but classic and elegant. I tried to copy him a little bit and I think it is working. My inspiration off the court was always Roger.

 

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What is the one thing you would never wear?
Sandals! Never! I can wear flip-flops, but I really don’t like sandals.

What is your go-to outfit when you are out for dinner?
I keep it simple. Blue pants, [usually] long pants. Nike shoes [or] sneakers and a white t-shirt and one jacket. Really simple without so many collars, nice and easy.

Outside of tennis, is there a person whose fashion you like?
Outside of tennis, the fashion goes way too much. Maybe sometimes it is too weird and too strange, so I come back to the classic looks. I am much more [into] simple and classic [fashion].

 

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Did You Know?
After a breakthrough performance in Rome last year, Musetti landed the Esquire Italia cover. Read more about the photoshoot and interview he did for the magazine here.

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Andy Murray aims another dig at Stefanos Tsitsipas on toilet break controversy

Andy Murray spoke at length during his post-match press conference about Stefanos Tsitsipas' lengthy toilet breaks and took to Twitter several hours later with another jibe.

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Djokovic Begins Historic Quest, Zverev Also In US Open Action Tuesday

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic starts his quest for tennis immortality and the Grand Slam on Tuesday, when recent Western & Southern Open titlist Alexander Zverev, Matteo Berrettini and Denis Shapovalov also compete. A number of #NextGenATP players, including Italians Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, and American Sebastian Korda, will be hoping to impress in New York City.

As the first male player in 52 years to hold the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon crowns in the same season, all eyes will be on how Djokovic copes with the pressure and weight of expectation at the final major championship of 2021. The 34-year-old, who won the 2011, 2015 and 2018 US Open titles, has been quick to deflect the pressure. But he'll come across a familiar face during his night session clash against qualifier Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Rune, who recently became the fourth teenager — after Nick Kyrgios, Taylor Fritz and Carlos Alcaraz — since 2010 to win back-to-back ATP Challenger Tour titles, is making his major championship debut and has not met a Top 10 opponent before. But the former junior World No. 1 knows Djokovic’s game.

In March, Rune reached out to the World No. 1 to arrange two practice sessions at the Monte-Carlo County Club, having seen a video of Djokovic sweeping a clay-court. “He was so kind and we got the practice organised and had two very good practices with each other at a very good level,” Rune told ATPTour.com.

The 18-year-old also got the opportunity to see just how tough the Serbian superstar, who has compiled a 38-5 match record this season, really is. “I think his consistency is incredible, how he just keeps hitting the ball in the same spot in a varied level of pace,” said Rune. “That was probably the most impressive thing.”

Over the next fortnight, Djokovic is not only bidding to follow in the footsteps of Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969) and complete the Grand Slam, but he is also hoping to win seven straight matches and break a tie with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer with a record-breaking 21 major singles trophies.

Of course, Djokovic will be wary of the threat of fourth seed Zverev, who features in the same half of the 2021 US Open draw and broke a five-match losing streak against the World No. 1 en route to the Tokyo Olympics gold medal earlier this month.

Eleven matches unbeaten has given the German a whole heap of confidence and, having come within two points of his first major title at last year’s US Open (l. to Thiem), the next fortnight may prove to be a major stepping stone. Zverev will be looking to extend his perfect 2-0 ATP Head2Head record against American Sam Querrey, the 2017 quarter-finalist, first on the main show court at 12 noon.

Having picked up his fifth ATP Masters 1000 title two weeks ago at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Zverev admitted, “It has been a pretty incredible month for me… I hope I continue this wave here in New York and we'll see how it goes.”

 

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Another potential obstacle in the way of Djokovic’s historic quest may well be sixth-seeded Italian Matteo Berrettini, who features in the Serbian’s quarter of the draw. Berrettini may have played just two matches since losing to Djokovic in the Wimbledon final on 11 July, but has long impressed with his raw power — 459 aces in 41 matches this year — and ability to play on all surfaces.

The 25-year-old, who takes on France’s Jeremy Chardy on Tuesday second on Grandstand, also won’t be overawed by the atmosphere in New York, two years on from reaching his first major semi-final with notable wins over Andrey Rublev and Gael Monfils at Flushing Meadows.

View Tuesday Schedule

Three young players — 20-year-old Sinner, 21-year-old Korda and 19-year-old Musetti — who are in the first five positions in the ATP Race To Milan for a place at the 2021 Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals, will all be attempting to record their first match wins at the US Open on Tuesday.

Sinner, who is aiming to beat Australia’s Max Purcell for his first win on his third visit to New York, broke into the Top 15 of the FedEx ATP Rankings earlier this month with victory over Mackenzie McDonald at the Citi Open in Washington D.C. As the youngest ATP 500 champion since the tournament category was created in 2009, Sinner remains in contention for a spot at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.

Korda sits at a career-high No. 45, with 23 match wins in a breakthrough year that includes his first ATP Tour title at the Emilia-Romagna Open (d. Cecchinato) in May. The American plays Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili for the first time. Musetti, who led Djokovic by two-sets-to-love in the Roland Garros fourth round in June, bids to snap a six-match losing streak against American Emilio Nava.

 

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Tennis fans can also follow the fortunes of three more Top 10 seeds on day two. Seventh seed Denis Shapovalov, who became the first Canadian men’s quarter-finalist in US Open tournament history in 2020, plays Argentina’s Federico Delbonis third on Louis Armstrong. Ninth-seeded Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta, the 2017 and 2020 semi-finalist, faces Maxime Cressy – one of 21 American men in the main draw – on Court 4, and Polish 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz takes on Belarus’ Egor Gerasimov second on Court 11.

Elsewhere, one of the sport’s breakout stars of the season, Russian 21st seed Aslan Karatsev — the Australian Open semi-finalist (l. to Djokovic) and Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (d. Harris) winner — tackles Spain’s Jaume Munar first on Court 13. Another Russian, No. 25 seed Karen Khachanov, who has gone 12-4 since the start of Wimbledon and picked up the Tokyo Olympics silver medal (l. to Zverev), plays Lloyd Harris of South Africa.

Australia’s No. 14 seed Alex de Minaur will round out play on Tuesday in the last match on Louis Armstrong against American Taylor Fritz. De Minaur, the 2020 US Open quarter-finalist, has a 3-0 ATP Head2Head record against Fritz, dating back to their first meeting at the 2018 Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals.

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Andy Murray under fire for Stefanos Tsitsipas 'cheating' comments at US Open

Andy Murray has been criticised by a former Grand Slam champion after he questioned Stefanos Tsitsipas' lengthy bathroom break during their US Open first-round clash.

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Brits endure horror day at US Open as FIVE exit on day one - leaving just three standing

Andy Murray was among the casualties on day one as five of the eight Brits in the US Open main singles draws bowed out in the first round.

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WATCH 'What's he doing in there?' Moment Andy Murray loses it over Tsitsipas toilet break

ANDY MURRAY appeared unimpressed as he argued with the supervisor over his opponent's lengthy toilet breaks during his US Open match with Stefanos Tsitsipas

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'Not the warmest handshake' Andy Murray gives Tsitsipas cold slap as he loses at US Open

ANDY MURRAY has given US open rival Stefanos Tsitsipas the cold shoulder at the end of a controversial opening round five-set defeat.

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Andy Murray slams Stefanos Tsitsipas after US Open loss as Greek star demands private talk

Andy Murray fumed with Stefanos Tsitsipas after his US Open defeat. The former world number one was not happy with his opponent both during and after their epic five-set match.

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Nick Kyrgios has meltdown over towels during US Open loss to Roberto Bautista Agut

Nick Kyrgios fumed as he suffered a straight-sets defeat at the hands of the 18th seed in New York.

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Medvedev Records 200th Match Win, Beats Gasquet At US Open

Former finalist Daniil Medvedev completed the 200th match win of his career in the early hours of Tuesday morning at the US Open. The second-seeded Russian swept past 2013 semi-finalist Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 in just under two hours, but admitted he struggled physically in the third set.

“There was a lot of matches to watch today, and a lot of humidity,” said Medvedev, in an on-court interview. “The score appears that it was relatively easy, but it wasn’t. In the third set, I was not that great physically, so it was better that I was two sets up and I didn’t end up playing a five-set match.”

Since the conclusion of Wimbledon, the 25-year-old has compiled a 12-2 match record, including a fourth ATP Masters 1000 trophy at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers (d. Opelka).

Second seed Medvedev put pressure on Gasquet from the Frenchman’s first service game, but only secured the first break in the 10th game. The 35-year-old Gasquet didn’t give up, and had Medvedev at 15/40 when the Russian served for the second set at 5-3. The third set was one-way traffic, with Medvedev completing his milestone victory shortly before 1am local time with his 37th winner, a forehand down the line.

Medvedev, who struck 15 aces and won 36 of 41 first-service points, memorably rallied from two sets down versus Rafael Nadal before falling in five sets in the 2019 US Open final. Last year, he did not drop a set en route to the semi-finals (l. to Thiem).

He will next play Germany’s Dominik Koepfer, who was a 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victor over French qualifier Quentin Halys. Following his victory over Gasquet, Medvedev spoke about his 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(2) win over Koepfer in the 2019 US Open fourth round, “I remember it was a very tough match and all the stadium was for him. He played an unbelievable first set-and-a-half.”

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Bautista Agut Dismisses Kyrgios In US Open First Round

Roberto Bautista Agut has risen to the New York night session challenge in heavy humidity to quash any threat of a Nick Kyrgios upset in straight sets in the opening round of the US Open. The 18th-seeded Spaniard was rock solid throughout as he posted a 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 victory in one hour and 48 minutes.

The 33-year-old, who reached the fourth round in 2014 and 2015, improved his record at Flushing Meadows to 15-8 and his ATP Head2Head ledger to 2-1 against the Australian. Bautista Agut handled the stifling conditions the better of the two and showed great wheels to foil many of the Australian’s attempted winners on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

He hit just 14 unforced errors to his opponent’s 36 and only four less winner’s than Kyrgios’ 37. The Spaniard was far more effective on serve as he won 80 per cent of first-serve points and 53 per cent on second serves. He was a perfect 12 from 12 on net points and fended off the sole break point he faced.

Kyrgios showed impressive net skills when he kept the second set alive with a serve-volley winner for 4-5 but it ended up the last game he would win for the match. The Spaniard closed out a two-set lead with his 12^th ace and when he broke immediately at the beginning of the third set it opened the floodgates.

He reeled off the final seven games and sealed the result on his 13^th ace. Victory set a meeting with last week’s Winston-Salem Open semi-finalist, Emil Ruusuvuori, for a place in the third round.

It will be the World No. 21’s first ATP Head2Head meeting with the 22-year-old from Finland. Ruusuvuori earlier posted a 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak to match his second-round showing on debut at last year’s US Open.

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Alcaraz Races Past Norrie In US Open Debut

World No.55 Carlos Alcaraz made a statement debut at the US Open on Monday, as he needed only an hour and 53 minutes to blast 38 winners past the 26th seed Cameron Norrie. The #NextGenATP Spaniard advanced to the second round in straight sets, 6-4 6-4 6-3.

"I’ve played a lot of tournaments on hard court. I played Winston-Salem and Cincinnati. To be able to win... matches at each tournament made me feel more comfortable before coming here," Alcaraz said. "Now I feel I can play against everyone. I feel that I’m playing a really good game."

The 2021 Umag Open champion, who is coached by former World No.1 and 2003 US Open finalist Juan Carlos Ferrero, looked in complete control throughout the match. In the first set, Norrie was unable to create a break point chance and could only get three winners past Alcaraz.

The 18-year-old ultimately broke the Brit’s serve at 4-4 and closed out the first set after 36 minutes. The pair went toe-to-toe at the start of the second set before Alcaraz took an early 2-0 lead, but Norrie, 26, raised his level immediately and broke back to level the match at 2-2.

Norrie, the 2021 Los Cabos Champion, was under pressure immediately as he was unable to cope with the pace of Alcaraz’s inside-in forehand into his backhand, which appeared to be a main tactic from the Spaniard. After that moment, the British No.2 was unable to find any sort of momentum in the set. 

The World No. 29 made more inroads in the third set but was broken in the opening game on a double fault. Norrie was still unable to read Alcaraz’s forehand and was consistently left guessing. The Spaniard finished the match when he broke Norrie for the sixth time.

“Right now I feel very comfortable on court. I feel like I am playing [at a] good level… That means alot to me," Alcaraz said. "That means I’m playing really good and I’m doing the right things. So I’m really happy with that...I played a very serious match, focused all the time. I’m really happy with everything with the match.” 

Alcaraz won 78 per cent of points behind his first serve in the one-hour, 55-minute victory. He will next face World No. 83 Arthur Rinderknech after the Frenchman completed an epic comeback from two sets down to defeat Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic 6-7(10), 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. It will be the pair’s first ATP Head2Head meeting. 

Alcaraz, who is fourth in the ATP Race to Milan, ensured he remained undefeated in first-round matches at majors. He lost in the third round at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, and the second round at Wimbledon this year.  

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Murray: ‘I Know I’m Capable Of Playing That Tennis’

The pain of defeat still stokes Andy Murray’s competitive fire. The 2012 US Open champion’s fitness and fight were on full display against third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a gripping five-set first-round defeat on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night.

Despite the 2-6, 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 result, the former No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings showed he was still able to match it with the best. It was vintage Murray in the opening set and the 34-year-old held set points for a two-set lead only to concede the tie-break.

The World No. 112 looked to become the lowest-ranked player to beat a Top 3 opponent at the US open and had regained the ascendancy when he rebounded for a two-sets-to-one lead. He had the Greek staring down a second straight Grand Slam first-round exit after defeat to Frances Tiafoe at Wimbledon, but fell short after four hours and 44 minutes.

A standing ovation for Andy 👏 @andy_murray #USOpen pic.twitter.com/e1Qy2t8Cd1

— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 30, 2021

“I've said it a lot over these past few months that I know I'm capable of playing that tennis. I need to spend time on the court, getting the chance to play against these guys,” Murray said. “Ultimately, when I get on the court with them, I need to prove it. I guess tonight I proved some things to a certain extent. Obviously didn't win the match tonight.

“From a physical perspective, I thought I did quite well. I would have liked to have done a little bit better physically at times, but there were also other circumstances that were not helping that either.

“Overall I did well tonight, but I'm really, really disappointed... after that, frustrated, all those things. Really disappointed.”

Having tested Hubert Hurkacz and Frances Tiafoe in Cincinnati and Winston-Salem in second-round defeats leading in, Murray admitted his fitness was there but errors had cost him in matches. In a positive sign, he finished with 38 unforced errors on Monday night, 13 less than his opponent.

It was the first time Murray had fallen in the opening round at Flushing Meadows in 15 outings and also a first time he had been caught out on his footwear. Late in the second set, on a humid New York evening, the 34-year-old realised he had only one pair of shoes and tried to dry them out with a cold-air hose at the change of ends.

“That's my bad, but I've never had that happen in a match. The shoes I was wearing were pretty new,” Murray said. “I've never had issues with my shoes during a match before. Certainly never what was happening there.

“The shoes got so wet that at the end of the set I was slipping basically and was losing balance. That's why I needed to change after the set and it was fine. But I guess something for me to learn from and in the future make sure that doesn't happen again.”

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Tsitsipas Wins Five-Set Epic, Overcomes Murray At US Open

Third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas was made to battle Monday as he rallied past former World No. 1 Andy Murray 2-6, 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the second round at the US Open as he began his quest for his first major title.

The Greek, who has now notched a tour-leading 49 victories this year, saved two set points at 4/6 in the second-set tie-break to avoid going down two sets to love, before advancing in four hours and 48 minutes.

”It is not easy,” Tsitsipas said in his on-court interview. “I had to make lots of sacrifices to come back. I think the atmosphere was great today, with a lot of positive tennis. The New York crowd is known to be one of the best crowds in the world. The fact we are able to compete out here with an electric crowd today is something we have been waiting for.”

Tsitsipas, currently No. 3 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, has enjoyed a strong North American hard-court swing, reaching the semi-finals in Toronto and Cincinnati this month.

Earlier this year, the 23-year-old reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open and the championship match at Roland Garros. However, the seven-time tour-level titlist has never advanced past the third round in three previous main draw appearances in New York.

The Monte-Carlo champion, who was facing Murray for the first time on Monday, will next face Adrian Mannarino in the second round after the Frenchman defeated countryman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

“I hope I am able to keep my game at the same level [against Mannarino] as I managed today,” Tsitsipas added. “Hopefully I will be back here on this court.”

In a high-quality first set, Murray looked to hit the ball down the line on his backhand as he dictated play with his aggressive groundstrokes to keep the Athens native pinned behind the baseline. He gained a double break to lead 4-1 and moved ahead when Tsitsipas cut a backhand return into the bottom of the net.

The second set was a tight affair as Murray continued to play aggressively. The Scot moved forward effectively, winning 73 per cent (8/11) of points at the net, while Tsitsipas aimed to dominate on his forehand. With both fending off two break points in the set, they entered a tie-break. Murray then produced a superb lob to move 5/3 ahead, but was unable to convert two set points from 6/4 as Tsitsipas levelled.

Despite the setback, Murray quickly regained momentum in the third set as he raced to a 3-0 lead. The Scot saved all four break points he faced and hit 13 winners to move to within one set of victory. Tsitsipas raised this level in the fourth set though as he forced Murray to drop the ball short with his depth and heavy topspin as they moved to a decider.

The Greek then broke in the first game of the fifth set to establish control before he saved a break point at 2-1 with a forehand winner. Tsitsipas, who hit 19 aces in the match, then held serve for a final time to seal victory.

Murray, who lifted his first major trophy at the US Open in 2012, was competing in his seventh tour-level event of the season, having recorded first-round victories in Cincinnati and Winston-Salem this month. It is the first time in 15 appearances that the World No. 112 has fallen in the opening round in New York.

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Fashion Court: Opelka Explains Why A Clear Identity Is Key In Fashion & Tennis

Reilly Opelka works hard on his craft, and that helped him to a career-high No. 23 in the FedEx ATP Rankings earlier this month. But off court, you are far more likely to find the 24-year-old discussing fashion than tennis.

Ahead of the US Open — and New York Fashion Week (8-12 September) — ATPTour.com spoke to the American about his fashion inspirations, the time he spent with a designer earlier this year and why having a clear identity is important in both fashion and tennis.

Who is your biggest fashion influence?
The people I look up to are or were in the sport. I look up to Venus Williams a lot. She’s been a great mentor-figure for me. I’ve learned a lot from her. John Isner, he’s been similar. Just good people, really good people.

If you’re going out for a night with friends, what’s your go-to outfit?
Most of the time, I wear a lot of all-black. It depends on the occasion. I wear a lot of Rick Owens and it’s just all solids, there aren’t many prints. There’s a girl Paria Farzaneh, who I’m a really big fan of right now. I love her brand, it’s perfect for Florida because it’s all nylon and it’s technical fabric. When it starts pouring, a lot of her stuff is waterproof and almost built for Florida, but she’s from London. It makes sense, it rains a lot there. I’m really high on her right now.

She’s someone you can say I look up to outside of tennis. She won the LVMH Award, which is the equivalent of winning the Next Gen ATP Finals. It means you’re legit, and she’s done it on her own, which is so rare. Everything she makes comes from her and two or three others on her team. She’s really cool and a total badass. I like her philosophy.

We hung out in London before Wimbledon and I’m super high on her. I like her brand, I like seeing how she lives her brand. It’s people like that who I look up to outside of tennis. I’ve gotten a lot of inspiration from her and was stoked to hang out with her and see how she goes about her business and her thoughts on the fashion industry.

We’re kind of on the same page with things, but she’s very futuristic thinking with wanting everything to be timeless. She wants all her pieces to be passed down and everything has a purpose, it’s not just to look good.

 

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How did you come across her?
I follow Fashion Week and she had a great show in Paris a couple years ago and then I followed her brand and we just got in touch. We got to link up this year for the first time in London.

She took me around where she is from, Brockley. In between tournaments I was able to leave the bubble, which was super refreshing. She took me around her little town in Brockley, South London. [Paria] and her boyfriend — who is a photographer and a really nice guy — came to all my matches at Queen’s Club, they came to Wimbledon. They brought some friends and made it fun. They showed me their hometown and made me feel comfortable.

I honestly can’t wait to go back and hang out and explore some more with them. It really left a mark on me, I don’t even know if she realises it. We just hung out for a day, but I was really impressed with her and just how she went about things.

^{Opelka wore a pink tie-dye shirt earlier this year. Photo Credit: Casey Sykes/Getty Images.}
How nice is it to get to know people in these different industries?
I was a fan of her brand. I didn’t know what to expect out of her. But I didn’t know she was going to be that cool. She is a badass, that’s how I’d say it. She has a clear identity of what her brand is. She’s so certain on what she likes and that resonated well with me.

It’s similar to tennis in some ways. It’s just having a clear identity for how you want to be as a tennis player, how you want to go about your matches and practices. You can find some correlation and I think that’s pretty special. 

Read More On Opelka
Opelka's Fashion & A New York State Of Mind
Why Opelka 'Has The Potential To Move The Needle'

What’s the biggest fashion mistake you’ve made?
Now things I buy are much more timeless and they’re less trendy. So many things go into trend and they go out quickly. It just defeats the purpose.

Sustainable fashion is something everyone tries to promote now... Everyone has to claim it now to be in fashion, they have to claim to be sustainable. They’re making cheesy prints that just aren’t timeless. They’re going to be outdated in two months. Whatever piece of clothing you bought just goes to waste, goes to shreds because you only wear it once. When I’m buying, I’m always looking to see if I can make sure I can wear it in 10, 15 years.

I’m an all-black guy. I wear all-black.

What’s something you’d never wear?
I don’t like leather too much on jackets. I’m not a big leather jacket guy. That’s definitely a no-go for me. Also those Balenciaga shoes that a lot of people wear, that are real big. Also Off-White. I’ll never wear Off-White, it’s a little cringy to me. Philipp Plein, very cringy, will never wear. Those are my top two no-goes.

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