US Open questions: Can Daniil Medvedev repeat? Will Rafael Nadal hit top form? Will Iga Swiatek, Emma Raducanu impress?

What does the 2022 US Open have in store? Usually the most unpredictable Grand Slam of the season, the men’s draw looks open after Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal, while Emma Raducanu will be looking to defend the title she won in such stunning fashion last year, and Rafael Nadal will be bidding for a record-extending 23rd major. Oh, and Serena Williams is playing the final tennis tournament of her incredible career.

Ad We run through the top talking points ahead of the final Grand Slam of the season, which starts on August 29 in New York… US Open'Alcaraz, Medvedev may struggle to emulate GOATs' — McEnroe sees no clear heir to Big ThreeAN HOUR AGO What now for Djokovic? It almost feels unfair to the 256 players who will be competing in New York to start with someone who won’t be, but the absence of a 21-time Grand Slam champion merits discussion. His decision to withdraw from the tournament came before Thursday’s draw, thus simply allowing all the seeds to move up a place rather than some late juggling that could have seen a lucky loser step in as the fifth seed.

Whether Djokovic should be allowed to enter the United States despite being unvaccinated is a matter that has been debated and will likely be touched upon more than a few times before a ball has been hit at the US Open. But just like the Australian Open earlier this year, when there was far more controversy around Djokovic’s position, focus will soon rightly switch to those involved in the tournament.