US Open Men's Tennis Odds 2022: No Novak could inspire dark horses at Flushing Meadows

The US Open Men’s side of the draw has the potential to be wide open following the news that Novak Djokovic won’t be participating. While it’s a shame not to have one of the GOATs competing at Flushing Meadows - where he’s reached nine finals and won three titles - he is, however, usually the red-hot favourite in the betting, meaning there are now an array of attractive prices on offer in his absence.

Defending champ Daniil Medvedev is back in town after he was banned from Wimbledon - the same applied to all players from Russia and Belarus - as is four-time US Open victor Rafa Nadal who returns to New York for the first time since winning in 2019. With no Djokovic, it’s this duo who are the favourites for Big Apple glory, however the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Matteo Berrettini, Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Taylor Fritz, and Jannik Sinner add intrigue, excitement and lashings of piquancy to proceedings.

After all, this is a Slam that's had four different champions in its last four editions, and six in the last eight years…

The action kicks off on Monday 29th August.

After his Wimbledon exclusion, Daniil Medvedev will be doubly determined to return to Slam action with a bang. The Russian stunned Calendar-Slam-chasing Djokovic in straight sets to win his first major tournament at last year’s US Open and now - following the announcement that Djokovic won’t be taking part - it’s the No.1 seed that's been installed as the bookies’ favourite (9/4) to double-up at the US Open. His CV shows four Slam finals which should really have produced two victories, not one, given that he blew a two-set lead at the Aussie Open earlier this year against Nadal.

Speaking of whom, over on the other side of the draw you can find Rafa Nadal at a decent-looking 4/1. While there are plenty of reasons to back Medvedev, his price puts me off a little bit. In truth, if I was to pick between the pair, Nadal would just edge it. 

Winner of the Australian Open and French Open already this season, the Spaniard’s hopes of the Calendar Slam were punctured at Wimbledon after injury forced him to withdraw following his thrilling comeback quarter-final win over Taylor Fritz. However, he's won in two of his last three visits to Flushing Meadows - including in his last appearance in 2019 - and his side of the draw is favourable, meaning the four-time winner has every chance of making the final, providing he remains fit and healthy. Furthermore, you simply can never rule out the swashbuckling Spaniard. No lead is ever safe against this mentality-monster who always seems to excel when he looks dead and buried. 

Behind the Medvedev-Nadal duo, there are an attractive assortment of contenders who each have the potential to strike gold, one of whom is the ultra-talented Carlos Alcaraz. The 19-year-old has a huge future ahead of him in the sport, showing buckets of potential and promise in reaching the quarter-finals of last season’s US Open then the last-eight of the French this year, followed by a fourth round showing at Wimbledon. The Spaniard has already won five ATP Tour singles titles and is 11/2 (Betfair) to go all the way in New York.

Wimbledon-finalist Nick Kyrgios is the only other player available at a single-digit price, ranging from 11/2 to 9/1 in the market. Earlier this month he won the singles and doubles titles in Washington and will now hope to set Flushing Meadows alight. In eight showings there he’s surprisingly never made it past the third round, which doesn’t bode well. However, he’s looked totally transformed in recent months: full of confidence and ready to entertain.

Stefanos Tsitsipas has been knocking on the Grand Slam door in recent years, reaching a final and four other semi-finals since the start of 2019. It’s not yet clicked for the Greek at the US Open, where he’s yet to venture past the fourth round. He did recently beat Medvedev, so while we are by no means ruling the 12/1 shot out, there are arguably more appealing prices out there.

Personally, I’ll be keeping a close eye on 20/1-priced Jannik Sinner who earlier this summer sizzled at Wimbledon where he led eventual champion Djokovic in the quarter-finals before bowing out in four sets. At just 21, it was the Italian’s third QF of his Slam career and his second of 2022.

Matteo Berrettini headed into Wimbledon in excellent form and with a genuine shot at winning his first Slam, only to be slapped with a positive Covid test. He was understandably absolutely gutted - "I have no words to describe the extreme disappointment I feel. The dream is over for this year, but I will be back stronger" - but will use the fuel as disappointment to make a statement in America over the next two weeks. Given that in the last few years he’s reached the US Open semis and quarters, he’s sure to attract interest out at 25/1.

As for the Americans, it’s the man who pushed Nadal all the way at Wimbledon, Taylor Fritz, who looks the best bet of his countrymen at 22/1. Spurred on by a passionate home crowd, as the rounds progress the two-time winner in 2022 could well find himself in the mix to become the first male to win here since 2003.

Elsewhere, Hubert Hurkacz (50/1), Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud (both 66/1) all catch the eye at their respective prices. Hurkacz looks sharp after reaching the Montreal final a couple of weeks ago, Ruud experienced his first Slam final recently at Roland Garros, while two-time US Open quarter-finalist Rublev has three titles to his name this year.

Onto the Brits, you can find Wimbledon semi-finalist Cam Norrie out at 45/1, while Andy Murray is a whopping 200/1 to win the US Open for the second time in his career.

When it comes to other big prices, former US Open champ Dominic Thiem is way out at 175/1. Yes, his career has been ruptured by a loss of form and injury, but he’s reached the latter stages of a few tournaments in recent months and should he hop on the momentum train with some early round wins, the wildcard's confidence and chances will soar. After all, he did win here in his last appearance two years ago…