- Reilly Opelka and Zhang Shuai have withdrawn from the U.S. Open.
- Opelka has not played since August 2022 due to injuries, including hip surgery and wrist complications.
- Zhang Shuai has reached two Grand Slam quarterfinals in singles and won two major doubles titles but has recently suffered her 16th straight singles match loss.
- Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Caroline Dolehide will replace Opelka and Zhang in the U.S. Open singles fields.
- Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek will return to defend their U.S. Open titles.
Prominent tennis stars Reilly Opelka and Zhang Shuai have officially withdrawn from this year’s U.S. Open. The U.S. Tennis Association confirmed this decision on Tuesday.
Reilly Opelka, an American talent, will miss out on the U.S. Open for the second consecutive year. Having once reached the fourth round at Flushing Meadows back in 2021, Opelka hasn’t made a tour appearance since August 2022 due to persistent injuries, most notably to his hip. The athlete, who turns 26 at the start of the U.S. Open’s main draw, underwent surgery for the said injury and later faced complications from a right wrist injury.
On the other hand, Zhang Shuai, hailing from China, boasts two Grand Slam quarterfinals in singles and two major championship wins in doubles. Her best U.S. Open singles performance saw her reach the fourth round in 2022. Despite her doubles play in the recent WTA 1000 event in Montreal, Zhang suffered her 16th straight singles match loss.
Filling the void left by these withdrawals, Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina and Caroline Dolehide of the U.S. will take their spots in the singles fields. Apart from Opelka and Zhang, other notable withdrawals from this Grand Slam include Nick Kyrgios and Pablo Carreno Busta.
The tennis community will keenly be watching the U.S. Open as Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek return to defend their respective titles.
