US Open: Brady and Opelka try to re-enter
At the US Open 2023, two professionals who have recently been thrown off track by injuries for months want to start: Jennifer Brady and Reilly Opelka.
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
Jul 20, 2023, 05:11 pm
An entry list is by no means a guarantee that the players listed there will actually take part in a tournament. In many cases it is a declaration of intent. And especially at Grand Slam events, this intention is often formulated from a monetary point of view: After all, there is a comparatively lavish salary for a first-round defeat.
On the other hand, Reilly Opelka and Jennifer Brady have already won so much prize money in their careers that they are not financially dependent on starting at the US Open 2023. So if these two names can be found on the entry list for the last major of the year published yesterday, then that is interesting from a sporting point of view.
Brady almost two years gone
What you may have already forgotten: In 2021 Jennifer Brady was in the final of the Australian Open, where she lost to Naomi Osaka. The 28-year-old American played her last match that year in Cincinnati against Jelena Ostapenko. Brady had to give up because of an injury. Actually, the comeback should have taken place this spring. Alone: Brady's knee didn't take part. So now the US Open should be the first major tournament highlight after returning to the tour. Jennifer Brady gets into the 128 grid without any problems: she can use a protected ranking of 14.
Reilly Opelka's break wasn't that long. After losing to Nick Kyrgios last summer, Opelka had to stay away from active professional tennis due to a hip injury. The name of the 2.11 meter tall local hero can also be found on the list of participants in the US Open 2023. Opelka's protected ranking is 33rd.
With currently 25 (14 women, eleven men) starters, the USA has the largest contingent at the fourth major of the year. As so often. But that is no guarantee of success: The last win for women dates back to 2017 (Sloane Stephens), that for men even from 2003. Andy Roddick won then.