History is on the line at the 2021 US Open. With stands again full of cheering crowds, the US Open will begin Tuesday, August 31 AEST.
The entire tournament can be seen on ESPN, (available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and SKY NZ), and the quarter-finals onwards can also be seen on SBS, and SBS On Demand.
The event concludes with the Women’s and Men’s Championships, on Sunday September 12, and Monday September 13, respectively.
The major storyline leading into this year’s tournament involves future Hall of Famer Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic is going for a calendar-year Grand Slam, having won this year’s Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.
A win would also break the tie for the most career major championships for men he shares at 20 with rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both of whom are unable to play in the US Open because of injury.
Australia’s Dylan Alcott is also chasing his own history, and still has the opportunity to complete the ‘Golden Slam’.
Currently competing at the Tokyo Paralympics, Alcott is hoping to add Olympic gold to the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon triumphs this year, before completing a clean sweep at Flushing Meadows in the Men’s Quad Wheelchair singles.
History will have to wait on the women’s side of the draw, as Serena Williams, who was looking to tie Margaret Court’s record of 24 major victories, has pulled out of the tournament with injury.
This will mean all eyes now turn to world number one Ash Barty.
Barty comes into New York on the back of a triumph at Wimbledon and this week became the first Australian in 48 years to claim the Cincinnati singles title.
She’ll be joined in the main draw by 2011 US Open winner Sam Stosur, Ajla Tomljanovic and Storm Sanders, with another six Australian women looking to come through the US Open qualifiers.
ESPN Schedule
US Open qualifying is currently live on ESPN from 1AM AEST each day.
From the start of the tournament to Wednesday, Sept. 8, ESPN’s coverage will start each day with the first ball, generally at 2AM AEST and continuing 12 or more hours until play concludes.
ESPN will air the women’s semifinals Friday, Sept. 10 from 9AM AEST and Women’s Championship Sunday, Sept. 12 at 6AM AEST.
The men’s semis will air Saturday, Sept. 11 at 5AM AEST and 9AM AEST, with the Men’s Championship on Monday, Sept. 13 at 6AM AEST.
ESPN and ESPN2 are available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and SKY NZ.
SBS Schedule
Wednesday, September 8
Singles quarter-finals
02:00 – 06:00 (AEST)
Singles quarter-finals
09:00 – 14:00 (AEST)
Thursday, September 9
Singles quarter-finals
02:00 – 06:00 (AEST)
Singles quarter-finals
09:00 – 14:00 (AEST)
Friday, September 10
Women’s singles semi-finals
09:00 – 14:00 (AEST)
Saturday, September 11
Men’s singles semi-finals
06:00 – 14:00 (AEST)
Sunday, September 12
Women’s singles final
05:30 – 09:00 (AEST)
Monday, September 13
Men’s singles final
05:30 – 10:00 (AEST)