NEW YORK — With the US Open set to begin on Monday, defending champion and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic says his left wrist is not in an “ideal state” — which could open things up for Wimbledon champ and Olympic gold medalist Andy Murray to continue his late-season roll.
Djokovic is right-handed, but the wrist injury impacts him when he slugs his two-handed backhand.
“Well, the wrist hasn’t been in ideal start for the last three and a half weeks, but I’m doing everything in my power with obviously the medical team to make sure that I’m as close to 100 percent as possible during the course of this tournament, at least for the beginning of it,” said Djokovic, who withdrew from the recent ATP Masters Series event in Cincinnati because of the injury.
Asked if he was dealing with tendonitis in the wrist, Djokovic said no, but added he wasn’t certain what to call it.
“I’m not sure exactly,” he said with a smile. “I’m going to have to call my doctor.”
Djokovic, a two-time winner here and 12-time Grand Slam singles champion, lost his opening round singles match at the Rio Games to Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro. But he said he didn’t want to blame the loss on the wrist injury, which he said “happened in Rio before the start of the tournament.”
Djokovic’s draw isn’t particularly easy here, either.
After opening against Jerzy Janowicz, he could potentially have to beat three former US Open champs to win the title on Sept. 11: No. 7 Marin Cilic in the quarterfinals, No. 4 Rafael Nadal in the semis and No. 2 Murray in the final.
“The mindset is not much different than any previous year, the ambitions are quite high,” Djokovic said. “The Olympic games and Wimbledon haven’t went the way that I wished them to go. Sometimes you have to hit the wall in order to understand that certain things are happening for a reason. I always feel that when you experience a big loss you can learn much more out of it than any other win.”
Murray’s road to the final appears to be easier. He could face No. 6 Kei Nishikori in the quarters and No. 3 Stan Wawrinka in the semis.
“Murray is undoubtedly playing the best tennis of his career, he’ll feel he can win this tournament,” said ESPN analyst Jason Goodall.
Djokovic continues his pursuit of history.
With 12 career majors, he is two shy of Nadal and Pete Sampras, both of whom own 14 Grand Slam titles, and five short of Roger Federer’s all-time men’s mark of 17.
“Grand Slams are valued the most in our sport as tournaments historically, so these are the tournaments where I want to do well and do my best,” he said.
“I obviously had a phenomenal Grand Slam career that I’m very proud of and very grateful for. I’m 29 at the moment and believe that I’m at a peak of my abilities as a tennis player. I’ll try to keep that peak as consistent and enduring as much as possible.”
