None of the big stars can be found among the four semi-finalists at the US Open. Who are the young savages?
The 19-year-old already has incredible qualities in terms of play – but he proved what is perhaps his greatest strength in the 5:15 hour thriller of the quarterfinals against Jannik Sinner: he never gives up. “You can always lose hope last,” said Alcaraz afterwards.
Because of this attitude, almost everyone in the tennis circus predicts a glorious career for him – including compatriot Rafael Nadal. “He’s not a normal boy,” said Spain’s tennis star, “just like I wasn’t a normal boy.” Many wonder? How good can this guy get?
“Carlitos” has already broken several age records. Among other things, he won 75 of his first 100 matches on the professional tour – and started significantly better than Nadal (67), Novak Djokovic (65) and Roger Federer (51). He doesn’t want to be measured against the so-called Big Three, “we’re talking about an impossible feat here.”
The American is a new fan favorite, including basketball star LeBron James, his new “Big Bro”. Tiafoe is benefiting from the hype that he feels “at home” in the packed Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 24-year-old, who can switch from defense to attack in a flash, celebrates spectacular points with the salt-scattering gesture that is known from fine restaurants.
But Tiafoe also knows the other side. He comes from an immigrant family and grew up in the simplest of circumstances. Because his mother often worked night shifts as a nurse and his father worked for a tennis center in Washington DC, young Frances often spent the night on a massage bench on the facility.
It didn’t do him any harm, said Tiafoe: “I was able to play tennis for free, the sport I love.” He wants to try to become the first American since Andy Roddick in 2003 to win a Grand Slam title.
The Norwegian could also rise to number one in the world rankings after the US Open. “Of course every boy dreams of it,” said the 23-year-old. Ruud appears modest and inconspicuous – and so is his game: little spectacle, hardly any mistakes.
Ruud is the first Norwegian to advance to the US Open semifinals. This puts him slightly ahead of his father and coach Christian, who reached the round of 16 at the Australian Open in 1997. The father challenged and encouraged his son from a very young age, “We put a lot of time, a lot of work and a lot of effort into it,” said Casper.
It is no coincidence that the French Open finalist feels particularly comfortable on sand and hard court: “In Norway we play six months on sand in summer, but the winters are long, so we play six months indoors.”
The Russian is the big outsider in the semi-final field – but in this role he feels most comfortable. Khachanov so unnerved Australian Nick Kyrgios with his rock-solid game that he then smashed two racquets in a fit of rage. “It was a great performance from me from start to finish,” said Khachanov.
The 26-year-old seems to get extra motivation from the fact that his unspectacular game doesn’t make him particularly popular with the fans. But you shouldn’t underestimate the powerful Russian – Kyrgios knows: “He’s a fighter, a warrior.”