Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal may both be heading into the US Open with niggling injuries but Andy Murray will not be lured into a false sense of security.
Advertisement
But Murray, described by top 10 rival Kei Nishikori as “Ironman” for his battling run to the Olympic Games gold medal in Rio, says that at 29 years old, he is using his age as a motivating factor.
“Yeah I mean, I spoke to him after the match past year, it was fine”, Murray said.
“It’s not easy to do that”.
“I hope I’m still playing like this when I’m 38, but it’s pretty unlikely”, Murray, who won the US Open in 2012, told reporters.
“I’m just now starting to feel a little better”, she said. “It’s a slightly different mentality to maybe when you’re younger and you feel like you have a bit more time on your side”, said Murray. I played her I think in the semis before.
It does, however, offer a hint of vulnerability about a player who, until Sam Querrey’s heroics at Wimbledon, appeared infallible and primed for a period of dominance similar to Federer nearly 10 years ago.
Djokovic has appeared in the final of the U.S. Open five out of the past six years, finishing as the runner-up three times during that stretch. “But still Novak is No. 1, Andy No. 2”, said 14-time major victor Nadal.
“But rarely would you announce to the press, “Look, I can’t play”.
Murray is aiming to become only the sixth man in tennis history to make all four major finals in the same calendar year, emulating Jack Crawford, Donald Budge, Rod Laver, Roger Federer and Djokovic.
Being viewed as a legitimate threat to Williams, Kerber said, “is really special”. “So I need to try and keep that going”.
Injury and illness had hampered Serena Williams in the year leading up to her home slam and the three-time victor was on her way back having seen her ranking fall as low as 175.
After equaling Steffi Graf for the most major titles in the Open era (from 1968) by winning Wimbledon last month, Williams can earn No. 23 in NY.
The 22-year-old former British number one will be entered into the main draw at Flushing Meadows, where she is bidding to win her first grand slam match since reaching the third round here in 2013.
After losing in the third round at Wimbledon – his earliest loss at a Major in seven years – Djokovic won a record 30th Masters trophy in Toronto, suffered a shock first-round defeat at the Olympics to Juan Martin del Potro and a withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters with a wrist injury, suggesting all is not well with him.
After Wimbledon, Williams was stunned in the Round of 16 at the Olympics by Elina Svitolina of the Ukraine, and then skipped the event in Cincinnati because of her shoulder.
The British number five will earn 43,313 USA dollars (£33,000) for her progress, but also invaluable confidence, the victory coming after she won an ITF event in Landisville earlier this month.
Advertisement
Far from feeling stressed by the chance to topple Williams, Kerber said she is thriving on the race for number one.
