The focus of world tennis this year at the US Open is on the women’s tournament, as Serena Williams chases the calendar Grand Slam. The 33-year-old has all four slams under her belt, but to win them in the same calendar year would indeed be the ultimate achievement, the Mount Everest for all tennis players.

The title is quite simply hers to lose, and right now — other than an inexplicable loss in rhythm or an upset thanks to a flash of incredible tennis from one of the younger players — the odds are stacked in favour of the defending champion.

Even the competition is conscious of the moment in history, with players like Simona Halep acknowledging that they are aware of the presence of an all-time great in their midst.

Serena has a challenging enough draw, with Sloane Stephens, Agnieszka Radwanska and Maria Sharapova falling in her path. They have all shown flashes of potential, but none of them have really shone against the great American in the recent past. Serena will also be the overwhelming crowd favourite, and in New York that is a factor because in no Grand Slam do the spectators feel as close as they do at the US Open.

Enjoying the vibe and energy is a crucial factor at the US Open, and it’s something that Novak Djokovic really enjoys here. He is fresh from a very good build-up to the tournament and, as top seed, he is really looking the part. It has been a good year for him, having made all three finals and, quite simply, he would like to end the year on a serious high.

There are of course challengers with the same game plan. Andy Murray has had a strong preparation to the tournament, where he traditionally does rather well. He is in the same side of the draw as Stan Wawrinka, who has had the most tremendous 2015. The surface suits the Swiss French Open winner and I really see him as a top contender in the next fortnight.

And then there are the two great champions, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. The latter is playing here for an unbelievable 16th time and who can write off a player who was a losing finalist at Wimbledon?

Nadal has had a rough year thanks to fitness issues and is on a collision course with Novak once again, as they are scheduled to play a quarter-final. The Spaniard will be looking at the prospect of ending a year without a Grand Slam for the first time since 2004. That is a record that proves what a champion he is, but will also act as a spur for the proud champion to come out all guns blazing.

Finally, this tournament has thrown up more surprises than any other in the recent past, with players like Juan Martin del Potro and Marin Cilic — the defending champion this year — upsetting calculations. It’s an open field, but right now the top seeds of both the draws look hard to beat.

— Gameplan