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Last year’s US Open final marked the first time since the Australian Open in 2005 that the names Djokovic, Federer and Nadal failed to feature in a Grand Slam showpiece.
Marin Cilic powered past Kei Nishikori to clinch the 2014 title as the Big Four (incl. Andy Murray) were finally halted. After another sapping season on the men’s circuit, will that surprise be repeated or will the big names return to triumph at Flushing Meashows? We assess the top eight seeds' chances ahead of this year's tournament... - - - No.1: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) Can the Serb capture his third Grand Slam of 2015? Recent final defeats in Montreal and Cincinnati to chief rivals Andy Murray and Roger Federer respectively hinted at fatigue, but there is no greater competitor when the Majors come around. While a potential quarter-final showdown with Rafa Nadal probably won’t hold any fear, Djokovic will likely have to beat Federer or Murray to lift the trophy. After a long, gruelling season, it might be one challenge too far…
Novak Djokovic - Wimbledon 2015
Novak Djokovic - Wimbledon 2015 - AFP
- - - No.2: Roger Federer (Switzerland) Grand Slam No 18 is proving elusive, perhaps permanently so. Federer enters the US Open in scintillating form – but we said the same before Wimbledon, where he ran out of steam when it mattered, just two days after a crushing semi-final victory over Andy Murray. It’s the lingering question: can he eke across the finish line after seven five-set matches? His best bet, as always, is saving his 34-year-old frame by demolishing early opponents in straight sets. It still might not be enough.
Roger Federer, Wimbledon, 2012
Roger Federer, Wimbledon, 2012 - AFP
- - - No.3: Andy Murray (Great Britain) Murray’s 2015: hugely impressive. Grand Slams won: zero. His consistency has seen him sail up the world rankings, but his ability to raise his level in the latter stages of Majors remains a weakness – ousted by Djokovic in Melbourne and Paris, eliminated by Federer at Wimbledon. Perhaps the most disappointing statistic: eight Grand Slam finals, just two victories. However, he enters the US Open in great form having ended his nasty losing run against Djokovic and should breeze into the last eight (assuming he emerges from a first round sledge-fest with Nick Kyrgios) where Stan Wawrinka should await before potential meeting with Federer and Djokovic. He’s got a shout.
Andy Murray kisses the US Open trophy after his triumph in 2012 (Reuters)
Andy Murray kisses the US Open trophy after his triumph in 2012 (Reuters) - Reuters
- - - No.4: Kei Nishikori (Japan) A real dangerman. Last year’s runner-up, Nishikori has benefited hugely from working with new coach Michael Chang. His next challenge: add his name to the roll call of Grand Slam champions, with his best chance surely coming at Flushing Meadows once more. The fourth seed will likely have to depose of Djokovic and either Federer or Murray to lift the title, but that’s to be expected at this level. Now 25, he’s no longer up-and-coming and needs to confirm himself among the world’s best.
Kei Nishikori celebrates with the trophy after defeating John Isner of the United States in final during the Citi Open in Washington.
Kei Nishikori celebrates with the trophy after defeating John Isner of the United States in final during the Citi Open in Washington. - AFP
- - - No.5: Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) Despite clinching a second Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in June, Wawrinka’s row with Nick Kyrgios has overshadowed his on-court achievements. Kyrgios made a lewd swipe at Wawrinka and his reported girlfriend at the Rogers Cup, prompting a warranted Twitter tirade from the Swiss star. It’s unclear what sort of form Wawrinka’s in – after his first Grand Slam triumph he disappeared for a year – but he has the components to challenge for the title.
Stan Wawrinka
Stan Wawrinka - AFP
- - - No.6: Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) Has the weapons to challenge the top guns, but it never quite materialises on the biggest stage. His sole Grand Slam final ended with a straight sets defeat to Nadal in 2010; he hasn’t threatened a repeat trip since. A punishing serve troubles most, but the likes of Djokovic, Federer and Murray are some of the finest returners in the history of the sport and can quell his power. This bid seems destined to end in quarter-final defeat to the Swiss star.
Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic celebrates after winning his match against Pablo Andujar of Spain at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 4, 2015
Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic celebrates after winning his match against Pablo Andujar of Spain at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 4, 2015 - Reuters
- - - No.7: David Ferrer (Spain) The perennial nearly man. Wonderful against opponents ranked below him; blunt against those above. It’s the plague that’s haunted Ferrer: able to consistently get the ball back in play, but unable to hurt the world’s best. A run to the latter stages beckons before his challenge reaches a predictable conclusion.
David Ferrer - Roland-Garros 2015
David Ferrer - Roland-Garros 2015 - AFP
- - - No.8: Rafael Nadal (Spain) In a year that saw him dethroned at Roland Garros, it’s hard to envisage a speedy return to the tennis summit. No longer as brutal from the baseline, mediocre opponents have attacked the Spaniard – many finding success as Nadal’s joints ailed. He might be insisting that his game is better than his results, but it’s hard to foresee anything other than a quarter-final defeat to Djokovic.
Rafael Nadal of Spain raises his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia (L) in the final of the US Open (Reuters)

The US Open is the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world – and that only counts the fans who pass through the turnstiles during the two weeks of the main draws.

The 2015 US Open Qualifying Tournament, which wrapped up Friday, set a new all-time record for total attendance, with 46,894 fans coming to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Aug. 25-28. Qualifying features 256 players, 128 men and 128 women, competing for 32 spots (16 each) in the main draws of the men's and women's singles. Players are a mix of up-and-comers and veterans and are typically ranked between No. 105 and No. 250 in the world.

Among the notable qualifiers this year were French Open boys' singles champion Tommy Paul (above), who became just the sixth qualifying wild card in US Open history to advance to the main draw, as well rising stars Alex Zverev, Elias Ymer and Jelena Ostapenko and former Top 30 players Kateryna Bondarenko, Jurgen Melzer and Paul-Henri Mathieu.

The 2015 US Open begins Monday, with play in men's and women's singles.

The world's press descended on Flushing Meadows this week for the 2015 US Open's pre-tournament media day on Saturday. Here are a selection of quotes from the top players in the men's and women's draw.

Serena Williams on whether she believes she's the greatest woman to have played this game:
"No, I can't sit here and say that. But I can sit here and say that I'm the greatest player that I've been able to be. I do read numbers and I do see numbers. I believe in those numbers. I think different generations and different times have different champions, have different greats, have different levels of players. It's really difficult to compare one generation to another, generations several ago. Things change: power, technique, technology. A lot of things have contributed to that."

Roger Federer on comparing himself now to the past:
"I felt definitely five, 10, 15 years ago you just had a bit more time once the courts slowed down. In the beginning, while you always got pressure from the serve-and-volley player, the chip-and-charge player, the guy who’s going for broke on the return, that thing kind of disappeared when the slower courts came in. Now the bigger guys came in and started to hit huge from the baseline, and now you started to have less time, even on the slower courts. So I had to adjust my game accordingly, again, but I think it was helpful for me to start out on faster courts against the serve-and volley players and not get frustrated by two-shot rallies for four hours."

Rafael Nadal On getting his confidence back:
"To have the confidence back you need to win. If you’re not winning, then you won’t have high confidence. To win you need to play well. To win a lot you need to play very well and have a lot of confidence, and I’m playing well today."

Novak Djokovic on his chances of winning a calendar Grand Slam:
"I sincerely hope from your mouth to God’s ears. That is the only thing I can say. I’ve been close and that gives me enough reason to believe that I can achieve that. I’m trying to win, there is no secret. I’m trying to win every Grand Slam that I play. I set myself up for high standards because of the results I’ve had the last couple of years. I’m an ambitious guy and I devote myself completely to this sport. With my family and team around me, I enjoy it. I really enjoy playing."

Maria Sharapova on the adrenaline of a Grand Slam and what makes the US Open special:
"Of course, always the first matches at Grand Slams, especially after you haven’t played a match in a few weeks, there’s extra pressure, extra nerves. But it’s part of it, and I think it’s about managing it in the right way. I love the energy. I love how you feel that real sports enthusiasts are watching you play. You feed of the energy and the liveliness of the crowds. I think that their passion is priceless and I’ve felt momentum changes in matches here more than anywhere I’ve ever played because of their energy."

Caroline Wozniacki on her memories from last year’s US Open run:
"It was amazing. I played really well leading up to the tournament and then came in and struggled in the first round. I then found my groove from there and it was a great run. I always look back on my matches at the US Open with fond memories. It is a place where I have played some of my best tennis."

Andy Murray on Nick Kyrios, his first-round opponent:
“He’s an unbelievably talented guy with a lot of potential. He’s going to be around the top of the game for a while. I just think a little bit of patience is important when it comes to Nick because he’s a young guy and it isn’t easy growing up in the spotlight."

Simona Halep on wanting Serena to achieve the Grand Slam:
"If I will not be in the finals, then I want her to win. If I’m in the finals with her, then I want to win. I said that because she has a big chance to win all four Grand Slams this year. I think she has enough power to do that, but of course I want to win. I just want to take it match-by-match. … I respect her for what she’s done already and what she’s doing, but I also have a desire to beat her. In Cincinnati I didn’t believe enough that I could beat her and win the match. I have to improve this and the next time, I have to not think about that I’m playing Serena and concentrate on winning the match."

Kei Nishikori on adjusting his mindset to the increased publicity and support:
"Actually, I’m not thinking too much right now. This is new US Open again and I know how tough to go in final again, so I try to play one match at a time and I try to focus just on myself and what I have to do on the court. I try not to listen too much to outside things. I think I’m very focused and excited for first round. … I’m staying in the same hotel, same team again. I think it’s important to do the same thing like last year, especially I was doing really well last year, so I try to prepare like last year and just play good tennis on the court."