2024 US Open tennis preview: Can Gauff and Djokovic repeat? - ESPN

After an entertaining season full of dominant performances, skyrocketing superstars and an abnormal amount of surface changes, we've finally made it to the last Grand Slam tournament of the year. And trust us when we say: The 2024 US Open could be one to remember.

While Rafael Nadal won't be competing in New York this year, there are still so many players and storylines to watch. From newly minted Olympic gold medalist Novak Djokovic's quest to win his first major of the season and record-breaking 25th overall, to Coco Gauff's defense mission and the collective hopes for the American men to stop the now-21-year Slam title drought, there will be no shortage of drama or compelling themes.

Here's everything you need to know about the tournament before the main draw gets underway on Monday in Flushing Meadows.

To say it's been a roller-coaster season for Novak Djokovic might be the understatement of, well, the season. After winning the 2023 US Open — and tying Margaret Court's long-standing record of 24 major titles — Djokovic had big dreams for 2024. But it hasn't gone to plan. While he had publicly said he wanted to win all four Slams and Olympic gold, Djokovic lost in the semifinals at the Australian Open and then failed to win a title, of any kind, until the Olympics earlier this month.

Djokovic tore the meniscus in his right knee during the French Open, forcing him to withdraw ahead of his quarterfinal match. He had surgery days later, returning with a knee brace in time for Wimbledon. There, he reached the final before losing to Carlos Alcaraz. Then the 37-year-old Djokovic got his season back on track with an impressive run in Paris at the Olympic Games, defeating Alcaraz in the final and claiming his first-ever gold