The US Open, marked by a series of upsets and the rise of young, ambitious players, provided a clear indication that men's tennis is entering a new era. 2024 will be the first time in over two decades that none of the 'Big Three' will have claimed a Grand Slam title. With Roger Federer retired and Rafael Nadal battling injuries that keep him off the court, Novak Djokovic stood as the last representative of that golden generation at Flushing Meadows. However, the Serb was ousted in the third round by Australian Alexei Popyrin. While Djokovic's quest for a record 25th Grand Slam continues, Jannik Sinner secured his second major of the year with a victory over Taylor Fritz in Sunday's final. The Italian also won the Australian Open, and with 21-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz claiming the French Open and Wimbledon titles, the old guard was excluded from the Slams for the first time since 2002.

"It's nice to see new champions. It's nice to see new rivalries," said Sinner, who navigated through a doping controversy before the tournament. "I feel it's good for the sport to have some new champions." Sinner and Alcaraz are the only two men born after 2000 to reach a major final. Early signs at Flushing Meadows suggested that the favorites would not have it easy. Strained from his victorious Olympic campaign in Paris, four-time US Open champion Djokovic fell in four sets to Popyrin. "I spent a lot of energy winning the gold, and I arrived in New York feeling mentally and physically drained," said the 37-year-old Djokovic. "But because it's the US Open, I gave it a shot and tried my best."

Pre-tournament concerns about how the Olympians would handle the quick transition from Paris to New York and the switch from clay to hard courts were confirmed, as none of the singles medallists advanced past the quarterfinals. Alcaraz, who lost to Djokovic in the energy-sapping Olympic final, was also eliminated early, stunned by Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round. Olympic women's champion Zheng Qinwen, who lost in the quarterfinals, said the quick turnaround did her no favors. "I've been in a rush since the Olympic Games," said China's Zheng. "I only had three days to prepare for the US Open. I couldn't complete my usual fitness program."

New York, known as the 'City That Never Sleeps', subjected players to grueling conditions, with the tournament featuring its latest-ever match start, longest-ever match, and latest-ever finish for a women's match. World number one Iga Swiatek, another top contender, was eliminated too soon, with the five-time Grand Slam winner and 2022 champion losing in the quarters, while defending champion Coco Gauff exited in the fourth round. With players struggling for fitness in tough conditions, it was perhaps no surprise that Aryna Sabalenka triumphed on the women's side. The Belarusian retained her title at the Australian Open but took a mid-season break to address health and fitness concerns after suffering a back injury in Rome. She also missed Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury. The world number two finished runner-up a year ago and lost in the semifinals twice before that, but there would be no New York heartbreak this time around. "I've had a lot of tough losses in the past," she said. "I always hoped that one day I'd be able to hold this beautiful trophy. It's always been my dream."