Newsletter

Djokovic can take advantage of the snub of the Nadal US Open

tennis. “data-reactid =” 32 “> Rafa Nadal’s decision to skip the US Open due to health problems he added another twist to the intriguing three-way battle for the most Grand Slam titles in men’s tennis.

In many eyes, it is the battle to be considered the greatest of all time (GOAT).

If the 34-year-old Spaniard had managed to keep the title he won in a five-set thriller against Daniil Medvedev last year, he would have joined Roger Federer at the top of the list with 20 titles.

Instead, his decision paved the way for 33-year-old Novak Djokovic to reach one of Nadal’s Grand Slam results with a fourth title at Flushing Meadows and 18 in total.

While it may seem unfair to ignore the chances of the other 127 men in the US Open main draw, it should be remembered that Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have shared the last 13 Grand Slam titles with each other.

Only Djokovic of the Big Three will be in New York later this month with Federer, who will turn 39 on Saturday, choosing to undergo a double knee surgery that will keep him on the sidelines for the rest of 2020.

Federer and Nadal have not been absent from the main Grand Slam draw since the last century – the 1999 US Open – both Federer and Nadal.

The COVID-19 pandemic has left little intact in the world of sport and the race for GOAT status is no exception, not least in the cancellation of Wimbledon for the first time since World War II.

The ranking of the Spaniard is not at risk

Nadal’s decision to skip the US Open was perhaps facilitated by the fact that he will keep his points in last year’s standings with the re-jigged system and the proximity of the postponed French Open to the end of September.

On the clay courts of Roland Garros, Nadal has proved almost unbeatable over the past decade and a half, winning his 12th title in 16 attempts in Paris last year.

Rafael Nadal will not defend his title at the US Open in 2020. Pic: Getty

This means that any potential gains over Nadal for Djokovic in the GOAT match from the US Open could be short-lived.

The Serbian world number 1 was one of those who were skeptical about the trip to New York, but was there and represented when the rumors were announced on Tuesday.

Djokovic tested positive for the new coronavirus at his ill-fated Adria Tour show in June, but hopes he’s recovered enough to extend the 21-game unbeaten streak he was in before the season ended in early March.

Swiss star Stan Wawrinka was the last player out of the Big Three to win a Grand Slam when he beat Djokovic in the US Open final in 2016, but he too will be absent from New York later this month for reasons as yet unknown.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending