As the tennis world turns its gaze toward the 2025 US Open, set to ignite Flushing Meadows from August 24 to September 7, American stars Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz have emerged as the nation’s torchbearers in a season rocked by high-profile withdrawals. The North American hard-court swing, a critical prelude to the year’s final Grand Slam, has been thrown into disarray with major names pulling out of the National Bank Open in Montreal and Toronto, leaving Gauff and Fritz to shoulder immense expectations. With a grueling tennis calendar pushing players to their limits, the absence of key contenders has opened the door for new faces, but it’s the American duo’s star power and resilience that have fans buzzing with anticipation.
The National Bank Open, a WTA and ATP Masters 1000 event running from July 26 to August 7, was expected to set the stage for the US Open with its expanded 12-day, 96-player format. However, the tournament has been hit hard by withdrawals from top players like Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, Paula Badosa, and Zheng Qinwen, citing injuries and the need for recovery after a relentless season. Alcaraz, who openly criticized the sport’s demanding schedule last year, stated, “Sometimes I didn’t feel motivated at all… the calendar is so tight, a lot of tournaments, no days off.” His decision to skip Toronto due to “small muscle issues” after Wimbledon reflects a broader sentiment among players, with the Professional Tennis Players’ Association filing a lawsuit in March 2025 to address the “unsustainable” 11-month calendar. Sabalenka, the world No. 1, echoed this, saying, “I’m looking forward to kicking off the North American hard-court swing, but to give myself the best chance for success this season, I’ve decided it’s in my best interest to skip Montreal.”
With these absences, Gauff, the No. 2 seed, and Alexander Zverev, the men’s top seed, headline their respective draws in Montreal and Toronto. Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion with titles at the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open, is no stranger to pressure. Her 2024 season was a triumph, clinching the WTA Finals and China Open, and she kicked off 2025 by leading the U.S. to a United Cup victory alongside Fritz, defeating Iga Swiatek in straight sets. “I have the belief that I’m one of the best players in the world. When I play good tennis, I’m hard to beat,” Gauff declared after her United Cup win, showcasing the confidence that has made her a favorite to reclaim the US Open crown. Her 54-17 record last year and a career-high No. 2 ranking underline her readiness, though she faces challenges from a stacked women’s field including Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, and rising stars like Mirra Andreeva.
Fritz, seeded No. 4, carries the American men’s hopes after a breakout 2024, where he reached the US Open final, falling to Jannik Sinner. His grass-court titles in Stuttgart and Eastbourne in 2025 and a career-best No. 4 ranking signal his growing prowess. Yet, Fritz has been vocal about the sport’s punishing schedule, stating, “I think it’s funny how we find ways to shorten the schedule to make room for other tournaments, but we can’t find room to shorten the schedule just for there to be nothing.” His frustration mirrors the broader player discontent, as the quick turnaround from the Canadian Open to Cincinnati (August 7-18) and then the US Open leaves little room for recovery. Fritz’s United Cup performance, including a gritty win over Hubert Hurkacz, showed his resilience, with Gauff praising their mixed doubles effort: “I felt we got better the longer the match went.”
The American contingent is bolstered by other talents like Pegula, Madison Keys, Emma Navarro, and Ben Shelton, with eight Americans reaching the French Open round of 16 in 2025—a 40-year high. Keys, the 2025 Australian Open champion, and Anisimova, a Wimbledon finalist, add depth to the women’s side, while Shelton and Tommy Paul join Fritz among the men’s top seeds. “Having Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Jessica Pegula lead the draw… this year’s field is a true reflection of the incredible depth and talent we’re seeing on the WTA Tour,” said Montreal tournament director Valérie Tétreault. Yet, the absence of stars like Alcaraz and Sabalenka has shifted the spotlight to Gauff and Fritz, who must navigate a treacherous path to Flushing Meadows. Gauff’s recent forehand and serve improvements under coach Matt Daly make her a formidable force, while Fritz’s grass-court success suggests he’s peaking at the right time. As the US Open looms, their ability to rise above the chaos of withdrawals and a brutal schedule will determine if America can claim its home Grand Slam.
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