From the start of this season through the French Open, Novak Djokovic suffered losses to the likes of Hyeon Chung, Taro Daniel, Benoit Paire, Martin Klizan, Kyle Edmund, and Marco Cecchinato. Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem–in less alarming fashion–also took him down.
Fast forward to early August, however, and Djokovic is the reigning Wimbledon champion and the odds-on favorite to win the upcoming U.S. Open. He is also back in the top 10 after plunging as low as No. 23 in the world, stemming from an extended absence and subsequent loss of form due to a lingering elbow issue.
Following his sudden success on grass, the 31-year-old Serb is back on his hard-court stomping grounds for the current stretch of blockbuster tennis in Toronto, Cincinnati, and ultimately the U.S. Open. He is a four-time champion at the Rogers Cup, a five-time runner-up at the Cincinnati Masters, and a two-time winner in Flushing Meadows.
As such, it is no surprise that for the upcoming U.S. Open the big four are once again favorites as the next generation continues to struggle to break through in the Grand Slams. Djokovic is the favorite, followed close behind by Roger Federer and Nadal. Making a comeback of his own from serious injury, Andy Murray picked up some momentum with a quarterfinal run in Washington, D.C. and he is the fourth favorite (tied with Alexander Zverev) to capture a second title in New York City.
Zverev is still searching for an elusive slam breakthrough. The third-ranked German at least got part of the monkey off his back with a best-ever quarterfinal performance at the French Open this spring, but he promptly flamed out of Wimbledon in the third round at the hands of qualifier Ernests Gulbis.
Along with Zverev, the list of players 25 years old or younger who could shake things up at the U.S. Open also includes Thiem, Diego Schwartzman, Nick Kyrgios, Edmund, Lucas Pouille, Jack Sock, Borna Coric, Chung, Denis Shapovalov, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Theim at least has one major final appearance (2018 French Open), but otherwise the waiting game is still being played as Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic continue to dominate the sport.
“I do believe the depth in the men’s game is as great as it’s ever been,” Federer said last year. “But because of the way they play–maybe not super-fast like they used to back in the ’80s–the margins are bigger because of the surface speed, the ball speed, and the racket technology. You have to hit a lot of good shots to come through a Murray or a Djokovic. Over five sets, it catches up with you and it’s favorable for the top guys.
“Since my generation and Rafa’s generation…the next one hasn’t been strong enough to push all of us out. A young guy, if he wants to make a breakthrough, he can beat me or any top player. But if he doesn’t make a run to the final or win the tournament, he’s not making any move in the rankings.”
Fabio Fognini, for one, has been even more critical of the so called “NextGen.”
“This Next Generation thing is bull****,” Fognini quipped earlier this summer. “I don’t like all this attention. I don’t agree with all this attention given to these young players. I hope they will play well. Shapovalov will surely be among the top five in the world. If someone plays well, he is going to get attention.”
Playing well is one thing. Playing well and producing results–especially at slams–is a whole different story with the big four still around. And with Djokovic seemingly back in peak form, it will only become even more difficult in the immediate future.
[polldaddy poll=10075601]
should be the favorite, and is
Agreed. Djokovic on a hard court is always a threat. An in-form Djokovic is necessarily the favorite. And of course it’s hard on the “next gen”. The top players are so consistent, they’re always at least in the semis. That means that in order to win a Slam, you are staring down the barrel of probably two and possibly all three of Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal. There is little likelihood that all 3, in form as they obviously are, are going to falter at the same tournament.
Why is Nole who has won the uso twice the favourite above fedal? Rafa has won the uso three times beating Nole twice in the final and fed has won 6 hasn’t he??
Would like to see Delpo get another shot. No idea why Zverev is favoured above Delpo with the bookies!
Actually given Murray hasn’t gone deep there in years I don’t know why he’s favoured over Delpo.
Amy – I agree that placing Murray above Del Potro is strange.
Del Po should be favored over both Zverev and Murray. Especially Zverev.
Sorry, but I disagree. Yes, joker looked great at w’don, but my vote is still GOAT!!!!
Scoots right. Rafa is my vote too.
As for Federer, he hasn’t won it in ten years.
So yeah, I can see Nole or Rafa winning.
Definitely not Federer.
hawkbert – interesting that you assume Scoot is calling Nadal GOAT. I rather think he might be referring to Federer.
Not necessarily.
I wonder if this is still true, based on Djokovic’s rather unceremonious exit from Toronto.
Federer and Nadal (and Fed with 8 finals- losing one to Del Potro two to Djoker) will win his 6th US open here (hopefully against Nadal where they have never met yet)