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US Open 2017: Players under the most pressure on the men’s draw

By Maxwell Ogden

MASON, OH - AUGUST 20: Nick Kyrgios of Australia Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria poses for photographers at the trophy ceremony during the men's final on day 9 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
MASON, OH - AUGUST 20: Nick Kyrgios of Australia Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria poses for photographers at the trophy ceremony during the men's final on day 9 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 07: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France plays a backhand during the Gentlemen’s Singles third round match against Sam Querrey of The United States on day five of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 7, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 07: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France plays a backhand during the Gentlemen’s Singles third round match against Sam Querrey of The United States on day five of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 7, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mention: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

For quite some time, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was a thorn in the side of every member of the Big Four. He’s reached the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam tournament on nine separate occasions, reaching the quarterfinals at all four Grand Slam events.

Now 32 years of age, Tsonga may be approaching his final chance to break through the fragile ceiling that’s been residing above him throughout his career.

Tsonga has reached the quarterfinals at least three times at every one of the four Grand Slam events. He has six semifinal appearances and a trip to the final at the Australian Open, which rounds out a truly spectacular resume.

For as impressive as the 15 Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances may be, Tsonga has yet to win a Grand Slam title—a drought that’s never been more plausible to end than now.

Tsonga hasn’t been in his finest form in 2017, but it’s worth noting that he reached the quarterfinal at the Australian Open. He’s still one of the Top 15 players in the world, and that should grant him decent enough position in the fight for an elusive Grand Slam crown.

If Tsonga is able to remain focused on the task at hand, the 32-year-old could put a bow on his under-appreciated career.

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