Aside from the huge positives of Novak Djokovic's record year, there is one obvious downside to reaching the final of every tournament: he has played so many more matches than his rivals.
Reaching almost anaerobic activity in the scorching American sun and 70% humidity is enough to drain even the fittest of athletes of all energy. So add to that the punishing hard court surfaces of Montreal and Cincinnati and you begin to understand what the players on tour put themselves through. Your unseeded players will escape will just a brief exposure to this sporting cauldron, playing maybe a couple of matches, a couple of sets, and watching on as those who progress continue to brave the elements.
Such is the irony of success, that those who play the best tennis and advance through these American tournaments are the ones who suffer the most. Granted, sitting in a freezing ice bath after a first round exit, your name barely recognised in the tennis world, is an unpleasant experience, but it's easy work compared to the job of a world number one who has no time to rest.
Even at the top end of the rankings, those who believe themselves to be equal to Novak Djokovic have had it easier than the Serb in the warm up to Flushing Meadows. As well as being the last major of a physically draining season, the US Open is also the third hard-court tournament on the trot. Feet will be frayed, ankles will be in agony and knees will be knackered. For a title hopeful like Murray or Djokovic, these physical punishments will be relentless as, in a maybe not so ideal world, they will play game after game, set after set, match after match. With each game, set and match taking a little more out of the tank.
Having played an extra four matches than his rivals ahead of the US Open, it is no surprise that Djokovic is feeling the physical affects. His troubled shoulder shouldn't be a problem for much longer, but rather the non-stop tennis and continuous finals in which Novak has played is sure to take its toll as the final tournament of the season progresses into its second week.
Yes, Federer is struggling with form, but form is temporary, and he only needs a couple of wins to regain what he's been missing. Nadal can relate to the Serb in that he too is struggling physically, but he has had time to recover having exited Cincinnati at the quarter final stage. Andy Murray is the one who can take advantage of any slip up by Djokovic. He will be his ever-fired up self at Flushing Meadows, enjoying the fast courts and thriving in the buzz of New York, and could pounce on any signs of fatigue evident in Novak. For me, Murray now has the best chance of his career to make his permanent mark in the rankings. If the Scott can get some wins under his belt over the next couple of weeks, then Federer should be looking over his shoulder, wary of his no.3 spot.
In order for Djokovic to survive the tournament and maintain his best tennis throughout, he needs to get through the first week quickly, playing as few sets as possible, so that he is fresh for the second Monday.
Even with a record year behind him, another Grand Slam win is far from guaranteed for Djokovic. Winning takes its toll, despite bringing so much temporary joy. In the long run, it has a draining physical effect on even the very best winners. Psychologically, he will be in a better place than any other player, but whether his body can take another hard-court battering in the punishing New York sun is still to be seen. I believe in his ability to power through, hence a Djokovic v Murray final is on the cards for me.
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