Ash Barty, Aryna Sabalenka, Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu are arguably the four biggest women’s tennis stars capturing fans’ attention at the US Open.
All are ranked inside the top 10, with Barty, Sabalenka and Osaka the world’s top three players.
Osaka and Andreescu have won the past two US Opens, and could be described as co-defending champions given the ranking system currently in place.
Barty is the reigning Wimbledon champion, seeking a second straight major title which would strengthen her already crushing grip on the No.1 ranking.
And it was also at Wimbledon where Sabalenka ended her Grand Slam hoodoo, recording a career-best major semifinal finish to establish herself as a legitimate title contender in New York.
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The quartet spoke to the media at Flushing Meadows ahead of the tournament, and while each of them could well end the US Open campaign of another, they were nevertheless effusive in praise for their rivals.
“It's really nice to have her alongside me and so many other players. She definitely motivates me to do better. She's a very nice person, as well,” Andreescu said of Osaka.
“I love that she speaks up for mental health and all that stuff. I respect her a lot.
“She's kind of like the face of hard-court tennis. She's just a power hitter. She loves to hit the ball. She's smart with it. She has a big serve, a good return game. I think that's what really helps her a lot on the hard.”
All of Osaka’s four major titles – US Open 2018 and 2020, and Australian Open 2019 and 2021 – have come on hard courts.
And Barty’s observations of her Japanese rival were similar to Andreescu’s.
“Naomi is a pure ball-striker,” said Barty, who has won two of her four career meetings with Osaka.
“When she has time to set up, particularly after her first serve, she's one of the best first-serve, first-strike players I've ever come up against.
“On a hard court, there's not a lot of variation on the bounce. She can set up, trust the bounce, and really swing through the line.
“I think that's what makes her so damaging on these courts.”
Osaka may be aiming for a third title from four visits to New York, but Barty is considered by the majority of observers as the favourite for the women’s title.
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And Osaka could only tip her hat to the Australian, who has already won five titles in 2021, including the prestigious Cincinnati tournament just over a week ago.
“I think that she's had an amazing year,” Osaka said.
“It's really cool to see someone play so consistently. You would have to ask her (what the key to her success is) because I've never had a year like her.
“I would say she seems really determined and really focused. I know that she hasn't gone home since Australia, so that's a lot of traveling for her. I don't think I'm the type of person that could do that.
“It's really incredible … it's so good for the sport, I would say.”
Sabalenka is a player who, more often than most in 2021, has come face-to-face with Barty on the biggest stages.
The pair have met three times this season, with Sabalenka finally defeating the Aussie in the Madrid final after losing their Stuttgart final and Miami quarterfinal.
All of those meetings extended to three sets in what is developing into one of the WTA Tour’s most exciting rivalries.
“What she's doing, it's unbelievable,” Sabalenka said of Barty.
“She's playing really well. Her game is really tough. She's a really tough opponent, I would say, for most of the players on the tour.
“I would like to (similarly) be on the top for such a long time and be there consistently. So, yeah, that's something unbelievable. I'm impressed what she's doing.
“She's serving well. She can use the slice, which is for most of the girls a really uncomfortable shot. She can hit the ball pretty heavy. She have everything in her hand, so she can do everything.
“That's what's makes her stronger than everybody.”
Sabalenka and Barty are seeded to meet in the final.
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But Osaka could stop Sabalenka in the semifinals, while Andreescu could present a roadblock for Barty at the same stage in the opposite half.