By McCarton Ackerman, USOpen.org
The two best players in men’s tennis have confirmed that they will return to New York this year in a bid to once again capture the US Open championship title. World No. 1 and 2011 champion Novak Djokovic, world No. 2 and five-time champion Roger Federer and world No. 9 and defending champion Marin Cilic highlight an extremely competitive men’s field that features all of the world’s top 99 players.
In addition to Djokovic and Federer, several other notable names are scheduled to compete this year. World No. 3 and 2012 US Open champion Andy Murray, world No. 4 and reigning French Open champion Stan Wawrinka, and world No. 10 and two-time US Open champion Rafael Nadal round out the elite contenders in the field.
Djokovic remains at the top of the rankings after defeating Federer in four sets to win Wimbledon earlier this summer, in addition to clinching the Australian Open in January. He will be looking to reach his sixth men’s singles final at the US Open, having reached his first final in 2007 as well as four consecutive finals from 2010 to 2013.
Federer has enjoyed a solid 2015 season that included reaching his second consecutive Wimbledon final. The 17-time Grand Slam champion is looking for his sixth US Open title, which would break the record for most men’s singles championships won in the Open era. He is currently in a deadlock with Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors.
While Nadal’s season so far hasn’t lived up to his remarkably high standards, he can’t be counted out as a contender for the title this year. Having missed the chance to defend his title last year due to injury, he’ll be motivated for a big run this year. Nadal has reached the semifinals or better in his last five US Open appearances.
Filling out the field’s Top 10 are world No. 5 and 2014 US Open runner-up Kei Nishikori of Japan; No. 6 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, a 2012 US Open semifinalist and 2010 Wimbledon finalist; No. 7 David Ferrer of Spain, a French Open finalist (2013) and two-time US Open semifinalist (2007, 2012); and No. 8 Milos Raonic of Canada, a 2014 Wimbledon semifinalist.
The top-ranked American in the draw is current world No. 18 and 2011 US Open quarterfinalist John Isner. Other direct entries for the U.S. are No. 31 Jack Sock, No. 34 Sam Querrey, No. 46 Steve Johnson, No. 55 Donald Young, No. 75 Tim Smyczek, No. 86 Rajeev Ram and No. 96 Denis Kudla. Querrey and Young have each reached the fourth round at the Open, while two-time round-of-32 participant Sock won the 2010 US Open boys' singles title and the 2011 US Open mixed doubles title (with Melanie Oudin).
Italy’s Marco Cecchinato, ranked No. 99, was the last man to receive direct entry into the field of 128. Five players used injury-protected rankings to gain entry, including former world No. 1 and three-time US Open quarterfinalist Tommy Haas of Germany, former world No. 7 and 2008 US Open quarterfinalist Mardy Fish of the U.S., former world No. 8 and two-time US Open quarterfinalist Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia, 2013 US Open men’s doubles champion Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic, and Florian Mayer, of Germany.
Fish has also confirmed that he will retire from the pro tour at this year's US Open. This will be his 13th career appearance at the final Grand Slam of the year.
Sixteen more players will gain entry through the US Open Qualifying Tournament, held Aug. 25-28, while the eight remaining spots are wild cards awarded by the USTA.
The 2015 US Open will be played Monday, Aug. 31, through Sunday, Sept. 13, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. Click here to purchase US Open tickets and for more ticket information.
The US Open men’s singles championship is presented by Mercedes-Benz.