With the Olympics now behind us until 2024, tennis reverts back to its usual cycle of ATP events and with the last of this year’s Grand Slam’s taking place next month, now is not the time for anyone to suffer an injury.
Because an ailment at this stage of preparations, will at best derail plans going into the hard-court season or at worst scupper them completely and there is certainly bad news for at least one tennis ace.
That being Swiss star Stan Wawrinka and after undergoing surgery on a foot injury, the 2016 US Open champion has unfortunately lost the race against time and will be denied the opportunity of repeating his efforts of five years ago.
Although that will be something of a hammer blow to the former World No.3, there is a sense that someone will inadvertently gain from such cruel misfortune and that comes in a replacement for the Men’s tournament draw.
A replacement that comes in the shape of Andy Murray and although the former Wimbledon winner has had injury woes of his own in recent times, one cannot forget that he also achieved career-defining success at Flushing Meadows.
That victory came back in 2012, as the Scot got the better of Novak Djokovic and although there is an argument that Murray is something of a fading force these days, he will be a welcome addition to the tournament itself.
Monfils vs Shapovalov Full Match 2019 US Open 3R
While for those who are looking to use Fox Bet sportsbook over the next few weeks, a wager on the man who has also won Olympic Gold could be considered something of an outside bet.
However, if Murray can find the winning pedigree which has served him so well in the past, it could be one of the great redemption stories that the sport has seen in quite a while and especially when you consider he was not even set to be part of this year’s US Open.
While someone who is desperately hoping to be a part of the upcoming proceedings is Rafael Nadal and with the Spaniard suffering injury woe of his own, he now faces his own race against time in terms of fitness.
A race that he has already lost as far as the upcoming Canadian Open is confirmed and with this fellow North American tournament acting as the curtain raiser to events further south, this may not bode well for the 35-year-old.
Especially when you consider that Nadal has already given both Wimbledon and Olympic Games a wide berth this year and after suggesting he needed a rest after the clay-court season, he has certainly been afforded a lengthy one in 2021.
However, even the Mallorca born icon will not have anticipated or wanted such a rest to be this long and with the Canadian Open already being beset by a number of high-profile withdrawals, the lack of Nadal will be a severe blow to its organisers.
Of course, those organisers, supporters and sponsors of Canada’s premier tennis tournament will be of little concern to Nadal himself and now the focus shifts squarely to whether he can be fit in time for the start of the US Open.
With just over two weeks remaining at the time of writing before the first ball is served, it could be a literal toss of a coin as to whether Nadal is one of the 128 men who are looking to win this year’s edition of the US Open.
After playing in Washington on both August 5th and 6th, Nadal stated that he was returning back to Mallorca, as in his own words he wanted to be “better again” and that this “is not a happy situation” after suffering from a foot injury for a couple of months.
While the recurrence of the injury flared up after a second-round, three-set marathon win over Jack Sock and although there would have been celebration after progressing to the next stage of the tournament, it also generated concern at the same time.
Such was the injury concern, that it was visible for all to see that Nadal was not operating at 100% for the next round and after losing to Lloyd Harris of South Africa, a big question mark hangs over the Spaniard’s participation at the US Open. A question that will be answered rather soon.
Andy Murray · Novak Djokovic · Rafael Nadal · Roger Federer · Stanislas Wawrinka · US Open
Sam · August 13, 2021 at 2:11 pm
Scoop, I’m surprised that you didn’t mention Federer this time. Do you think we’ll actually see him in New York?
As for Nadal, I believe he’ll show up. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t even make it to the quarterfinals.
Concerning Djokovic, I’d give him about a 50% chance of winning. I suspect he’ll be pretty focused. 🤓
Scoop Malinowski · August 13, 2021 at 3:07 pm
Sam, Federer will show up and compete but his chances are slim and none and you know who left town. Federer is now a virtual ghost player, he won’t be a relevant contender again until he scores a big win over a top player. Which is something he may never do again.
Harold · August 13, 2021 at 9:02 pm
Congrats to the Markowitz family. Dan’s son got to the round of 32 at Kalamazoo. Would have played Godsick/ Mary Jo’s kid..Kid that beat little Markowitz beat the Godsick kid
Scoop Malinowski · August 14, 2021 at 6:58 am
Harold, Chris Mayotte and Fritz Buehning were right, Cal has something special. Incredible result, he’s right in the mix with the best in the nation. Three years ago I made mincemeat of Cal in Newport, now he would surely make mincemeat of me even on red clay.
Sam · August 15, 2021 at 2:52 pm
Speaking of older names, what happened to that dude Jon? And wasn’t there a guy named George who used to post here, who was a physician? Do they still visit?
Well, Scoop, about Federer, now he’s saying that he has to get another “surgery,” and thus will be out for several months. Frankly, I’m skeptical about the “surgery.” 😉
But it does seem he won’t be at the U.S. Open.
Scoop Malinowski · August 15, 2021 at 4:14 pm
Sam, I would guess they all lurk the site but don’t comment anymore. Federer has pulled out of US Open with the supposed knee injury. Which we saw no hint or sign of any pain or injury at Wimbledon or the loss to Hurkacz. It’s now become a situation where whenever Federer loses he can just wait a few days or weeks and then reveal that there was a re-aggravation of the knee injury. Frankly, it seems this phanton knee injury is being used as a sophisticated excuse for damage control for devastating losses. No word on if Laver Cup in Boston is cancelled. Who would be surprised if he made a heroic return to play in Boston?
Sam · August 15, 2021 at 6:10 pm
Glad that you’re a bit skeptical, Scoop. I think that’s the enlightened approach. Unfortunately, so many tennis fans seem to just be eating up Federer’s explanation like it’s gospel. Well, I wonder if I could sell them the Taj Mahal? 😉
Yes, it will be interesting to see what happens with Laver Cup—and whether Fed will experience a “resurrection” of sorts. 😆
Scoop Malinowski · August 15, 2021 at 7:25 pm
I don’t believe anything I read or hear and only half of what I see Sam. I saw zero evidence of any injury vs Hurkacz, I saw a one sided beating by a young emerging superstar against a fading, slowing, tiring former great champion. I suppose uniqlo is displeased Federer did not play in Tokyo, that would have been massive exposure for the brand, which is what they paid for. Could he have played mixed? Who knows. Laver Cup has not been cancelled yet.
Krzysztof · August 16, 2021 at 4:38 am
Scoop, I can’t agree with you. If you take a careful look at match of Federer vs Hurkacz, it looked that he was moving awkwardly, there was some hindrance, especially in side to side movement. Even my wife who does not follow tennis regularly mentioned that Federer was really slow with his movement and looked like something was blocking him.
Scoop Malinowski · August 16, 2021 at 7:17 am
Krzysztof, It’s possible the knee was hurting him, I can’t totally refute it. But it could also have been old age, or he’s just not as quick as he was and the young guns are hitting harder and he just can’t keep up anymore. We see the same thing with Serena only more pronounced. Federer worked hard to come back this year and he has no results to show for it. Unfortunately the magic may be gone.
Sam · August 16, 2021 at 10:53 am
Scoop, yes, we have to question everything these days. As Pat Benatar once put it:
We can’t afford to be innocent . . .
Did Federer have to provide a doctor’s note to UNIQLO, I wonder?
Let’s see—if Federer’s knee was so “injured,” then why did he bother to play Wimbledon? I think we all know the answer. 😉
And if he was actually “injured,” then why did he lie at the press conference and say he was fine? Some have said out of respect for his opponent. Gimme a break—the only player Fed cares about is himself!! 😛 Well, if people can’t see through Federer’s flimsy lies, it’s no wonder that so many have been fooled by the scamdemic and conned into taking the dangerous (and useless) jab. 🤮
Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen absolutely nailed it when he wrote this:
Scoop Malinowski · August 16, 2021 at 11:36 am
Sam, big fan of Henrik Ibsen! “The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone.” – Henrik Ibsen. Another good one by a different sage: “Speech was given to man to disguise his thoughts.” – Charles Maurice de Talleyrand I have always adored and respected Federer but this charade he’s pulling now is disappointing. He and Serena need to depart the sport sooner than later. They had their time, now let the new kids on the block have their day.
Scoop Malinowski · August 16, 2021 at 11:39 am
Question everything… Working on Facing Seles, one of the subjects reminded me of the 95 final US Open and take a look at Graf’s adidas shirt – blood red on the collar and down the front. Looked just like a shirt would look if someone had been stabbed. Shame on adidas and Graf for wearing that shirt in the95 US Open and final vs Seles. It could not have been a coincidence. Check it out closer on you tube.
This is the adidas shirt Graf wore at the US Open 1995 and the final vs Seles. Note the red on the collar and the abstract red “art” down the front of the shirt (video of the match on you tube shows the collar better). Does it not look like how a shirt would look if a tennis player were stabbed in the back? What are the odds of adidas creating a shirt like this for Graf to wear vs Seles in their first match since the stabbing in 1993? Or was it just a coincidence?
There are no coincidences.
Would adidas and Graf stoop so low to do such a diabolical stunt to try to remind Seles of the stabbing, a sort of mind game to prevent her from winning the US Open and beating Graf again?
Kind of makes you wonder if adidas played any kind of role in Gunter Parche’s murder attempt.
For Graf to wear a shirt that abstractly simulates a bloody stabbing attack is either terrible taste or pure evil.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drmrzZ97GeI
Sam · August 17, 2021 at 2:33 pm
That is really weird about Graf’s shirt. 😝 Wonder if she had some inside info about the attack as well?
Did Monica ever comment about this?
About questioning things . . . well, it seems that some folks never question anything. 🤪
Scoop Malinowski · August 17, 2021 at 5:44 pm
Sam, Don Budge questioned Graf’s possible involvement from his far outside point of view. So I’m fairly certain Seles has her suspicions as well. She has never been back to Germany since April 1993 and never will go back. But she is the kind of person who would never say it publicly without evidence. I have presented my thoughts and evidences to some tennis media colleagues.
Sam · August 17, 2021 at 8:58 pm
Did Seles ever say anything about Graf’s outfit at least?
And what do your colleagues think about the possibility of a plot to take out Seles?
Scoop Malinowski · August 17, 2021 at 9:43 pm
No I don’t recall her making any comments. I didn’t even notice the shirt until last week when I watched the end of the match on you tube. I didn’t even notice it in 95. Delayed reaction. They believe it’s possible, can’t rule out an inside job. But we all feel nothing will ever happen unless Parche confesses. If he’s even still alive.
Sam · August 18, 2021 at 5:27 pm
Well, Parche would be 67 now, and there’s no indication that he died.
Apparently he threatened Sanchez-Vicario too:
https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/tennis/seles-attacker-parche-threatened-me-too-arantxa-sanchez-4621633/
Sam · August 20, 2021 at 3:37 pm
So . . . Nadal isn’t too injured to play golf next week? 😉
Scoop Malinowski · August 20, 2021 at 4:20 pm
Shhhh Sam! That’s not the media narrative. Rafa’s foot is allegedly hurt just like Federer’s knee which looked fine at Wimby.
Sam · August 20, 2021 at 7:08 pm
Right, Scoop. And if Nadal was so injured, then why did Uncle Toni predict immediately after the French Open that Nadal would win either Wimbledon or the U.S. Open?
Oops . . . I guess that Toni, at that time, just hadn’t gotten the memo that his dear nephew was injured. 😆