Will This Year’s US Open “Count”?
As the drama surrounding the Big 3’s GOAT debate continues to blaze, we will undoubtedly get another dose of it if Djokovic wins this year’s US Open.
While most level headed tennis fans accept that Roger Federer is the clear GOAT at this point, an addition to Nadal’s 19 slams and Djokovic’s 17 slams makes their argument as the rightful GOATs stronger and stronger.
Yet another opportunity for Djokovic to add to his count looms ahead. Some would say it’s a glaring opportunity. A sure thing.
BUT.
Is it too good of a chance? Is it fair to count this upcoming Grand Slam as legit when the other 2 members of the big 3 aren’t present? Nadal has opted out due to COVID (and scheduling probably) concerns. The elderly Roger Federer has called off the 2020 season to fully recover from 2 small knee operations.
A win is a win. This has always been true. As things happen a tournament may be slightly smeared in some peoples minds due to a lack of formidable competition. But as history marches on, the stats stay the same. If Djokovic is able to win his 18th grand slam at the US Open it will be absolutely legit.
The same principle is true for any slams in the past. No matter who shows up, the winner is the winner. Some tennis fans like to smear Federer’s grand slam victories from 2003-2006 as “weak era” as Nadal and Djokovic were not yet really on the scene. This idea is preposterous by itself. But if it is still held after a potential victory by Djokovic in Flushing Meadows in 2020, that would be idiotic and hypocritical.
And that’s IF Djokovic were to win.
Let’s not pretend that he won’t face stiff competition. There are a group of young guns on the tour who have beaten Djokovic before, and are chomping at the bit to do it again.
There’s Dominic Thiem who ran out of steam in their last GS encounter in the Australian Open Final after a promising lead. He has bested Djokovic multiple times at the French Open, winning 4 of their last 6 matches in general. He doesn’t fear him, and he has the physicality to hang with Djokovic and then some.
Alexander Zverev has also had his success against the Djoker, winning their only 2 meeting in finals - the 2017 Rome final and the 2018 World Tour Finals Final. With a hard working (and partying ;) Coronavirus offseason, Sasha could prove to be a serious obstacle in Djokovic’s quest for an 18th Slam.
Looking more formidable each time he takes the court, Stefanos Tsitsipas would love another shot at Djokovic. Having beaten him twice in their 5 meetings, Stefanos will lack no confidence if they do end up meeting.
Finally, Daniil Medvedev could be a nightmare for the 33 year old Djokovic. The Russian backboard can play sublime tennis, and was a few games away from winning the US Open last year. The young fighter will be drooling over another chance to win his first major.
All of what’s just been said is dependant on the US Open actually happening. It seems like nothing is guaranteed in the world right now, and the “bubble” that they are looking to pull off will be quite a feat.
Whatever may happen, tennis fans should be thrilled to be able to watch tennis that actually means something again. How much it means, will be up for debate.
by Stephen Boughton, Chief Pot-Stirrer @theslicetennis
