The four Grand Slam tournaments grow in significance each year, but the Paris Olympics may have had a more profound impact on the tennis season than any single event.

It wasn’t just Novak Djokovic, at 37 years old, finally clinching a gold medal that had been elusive, nor was it women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek faltering under the weight of national expectations in her home country, particularly on the clay where she has been dominant for the last three years.

Olympic competitions always disrupt the typical rhythm of the tennis season. Players who opted to compete in the Olympics added another highly demanding event to an already packed schedule that spans 10 months, impacting both their physical and mental state as they transitioned swiftly from grass to clay and then to hard courts in North America as they prepare for the US Open.

Though the sample size is small, results from recent tournaments in Cincinnati and Canada indicate that players who participated in the Olympics appear to have returned feeling drained, while those who skipped Paris seem better prepared for the Open. Additionally, Djokovic, who is in pursuit of his 25th Grand Slam title, hasn’t played since his intense match against Carlos Alcaraz for the gold.

These factors create an intriguing setup for the tournament in New York, with the potential for chaos and surprising results in the early rounds. Here are five key points to consider regarding the tournament draw that was released on Thursday prior to Monday’s first-round matches.

Coco Gauff’s Recent Challenges

Coco Gauff entered the US Open last year on fire, culminating in her first Grand Slam title. However, her 2024 season has been puzzling and disappointing. While she reached the semifinals at the Australian and French Opens, an easier path might have hidden some of her struggles with confidence and her game. Following a tough loss to Emma Navarro in the fourth round at Wimbledon, Gauff experienced early exits against Donna Vekic at the Olympics, Diana Schnaider in Canada, and Yulia Putinseva in Cincinnati.

She now must regain her form while handling the pressure of being the defending champion in New York. The draw presents challenging matchups: Varvara Gracheva in the first round is no easy task, and she could face formidable opponents like Elena Svitolina in the third round, along with both Navarro and the recent Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova standing in her way to the semifinals. If Gauff struggles early, she risks dropping out of the top five rankings. Will the energy of New York reignite her spirit, or will it overwhelm her?

Doping Allegations in Men’s Draw

This week, the revelation that world No. 1 Jannik Sinner had tested positive twice for the banned substance clostebol earlier this year and was provisionally suspended during an appeal process – which ultimately cleared him through the International Tennis Integrity Agency – sent shockwaves through the sport.

In response, several players took to social media, alleging double standards in handling cases like Sinner’s, while former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios asserted that Sinner deserved a two-year suspension.

Sinner, who celebrated his first major victory at the Australian Open earlier this year, convinced authorities that trace amounts of the steroid entered his system from a treatment his physiotherapist used – applying a spray containing the substance, legally available in Italy, on a hand wound. The ITIA decided to accept Sinner’s explanation, which was that he inadvertently absorbed traces while being treated without gloves. However, he was penalized by losing ranking points and $325,000 in prize money from his semifinal at Indian Wells, where the positive test was revealed.

How Sinner copes with the fallout in New York and how the public perceives him will be significant storylines, especially as he navigates a challenging draw that could lead to matches against American Tommy Paul in the fourth round, Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals, and Alcaraz in the semifinals.

Potential for Surprises in the Women’s Draw

The inconsistency seen among the women this summer points to a possibility of unpredictability, reminiscent of 2021 when qualifier Emma Raducanu’s unexpected run saw her defeat Leylah Fernandez in the finals.

Gauff is not currently performing at her best. Swiatek has struggled in major tournaments outside the French Open in recent years, Elena Rybakina has battled injuries, and while Jessica Pegula is playing well, she hasn’t advanced beyond a Grand Slam quarterfinal. The only top contender entering with true confidence is Aryna Sabalenka, last year’s finalist, who came off a title win in Cincinnati but faced difficulties in the lead-up to that tournament.

There are opportunities for some significant surprises early on, including matchups like Naomi Osaka against No. 10 seed Jelena Ostapenko, Wimbledon and French Open finalist Jasmine Paolini facing 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, Raducanu versus former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, and Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen against top seeds.

In the recent Canada finals, Amanda Anisimova stood out. If you enjoy surprising outcomes, the initial rounds of this tournament might just shake things up significantly.

How will Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz handle their emotions?

Novak Djokovic has been enjoying the celebrations following his Olympic success in Serbia for several weeks. However, the question remains: how hard has he worked on his physical condition and how much does he really prioritize the US Open now that he has achieved the final major goal of his remarkable career?

Djokovic will need to be on his game early, as he faces the strong server Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round. Additionally, Alexei Popyrin, a possible opponent in the third round, has historically given Djokovic a tough time and comes into the tournament brimming with confidence after clinching an unexpected title in Canada. A potential fourth-round clash with either American No. 13 seed Ben Shelton or No. 20 seed Francis Tiafoe, who seems to be finding his form again, poses yet another test.

On the other hand, Carlos Alcaraz made his comeback in Cincinnati after a disappointing Olympic run, only to have what he described as the worst match of his career against 37-year-old Gael Monfils right off the bat.

Could that performance have been an anomaly? Was he simply out of practice after some time off? Or has the emotional weight of winning the French Open and Wimbledon, followed by the Olympics, drained him as the season comes to a close? Alcaraz may find early challenges in New York against Denis Shapovalov in the second round, rising star Jack Draper in the third, and American Sebastian Korda in the fourth.

Are Djokovic and Alcaraz destined to face each other again in the final, or will the toll of a demanding season catch up with them, leading to a chaotic men’s draw?

Keep an eye on: Learner Tien

While American men are poised to miss out on a Grand Slam singles title for the 21st consecutive year, the current top-50 rankings feature a number of talented American players. Next week, we may be introduced to another emerging star: 18-year-old Learner Tien from Irvine, California.

As the son of Vietnamese immigrants, Tien has made significant strides, reaching two junior Grand Slam finals and winning the USTA Boys’ 18-and-under national championship at just 16. Since turning pro, he’s been climbing the rankings, claiming several lower-tier ITF tournaments and a Challenger Tour title in July. Currently, he is competing in the quarterfinals of the Winston-Salem Open, where he has secured victories against No. 49 Fabian Marozsan and No. 69 Thiago Seyboth Wild.

Tien is set to make his US Open debut as a wildcard, facing off against 24th-ranked French player Arthur Fils in the first round, which promises to be an exciting match. If Tien advances, he could carve a path for an impressive tournament run and potentially become a well-known name in tennis.

Follow Dan Wolken on social media @DanWolken