Taylor Fritz noted that Novak Djokovic would have been the clear favorite for the US Open if he was allowed to compete at Flushing Meadows. On Thursday, Djokovic officially confirmed his withdrawal from the US Open. Djokovic was denied entry into the United States for being an unvaccinated alien.
“I think at the end of the day, he is the best player in the world and he would be the clear favorite to win the US Open if he were allowed to play,” Fritz told Forbes. “[Without Djokovic] the chances of winning have been more spread out for a long, long time, and I honestly think that makes it more exciting than ever.
I think there was a long period where it was basically [Roger] Federer, [Novak] Djokovic, [Rafael] Nadal, [Andy] Murray and he was always going to be one of those guys. I think now times are changing a little bit, there is no one who is overly dominant right now, so I feel like anyone out of 10 people could win the tournament.”
American tennis always has good players and its drought of Grand Slams is one of the most surprising things about the game. The United States has not had a men’s Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick won the US Open title in 2003.
Fritz, who won his first Masters title earlier this year after upsetting Rafael Nadal in the Indian Wells final, he believes the United States now has players who can make noise at Grand Slam tournaments.
Rick Macci talks about Djokovic
Former coach of a host of great players such as Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick and Mary Pierce, and now simple director of his academy, Rick Macci, interviewed by the Mykhel site on the absence of Novak Djokovic from the US Open, was very disappointed and critical of his government.
“I don’t like it, it’s so bad for tennis. I’m not losing sleep over it, but he played last year and COVID was worse. He played the year before, and COVID was much worse. Now it’s in the rearview mirror, but he’s not vaccinated, they don’t let people into the country, it’s a joke.
It makes no sense, really none. It’s the government. I don’t think tennis has anything to do with it. It’s the government, you have to be vaccinated to come here, it’s unfortunate. This applies, in my opinion, not only to the best player in the world, but also to many other people who are not vaccinated, who may have been affected in their belongings, who have visited relatives or other.
It’s just that Djokovic, who I believe will go down as the greatest player to ever hold a racket, will be the focus if he’s allowed to play tournaments. It seems like if you don’t get vaccinated, who knows where it’s going to go.
I’m not in favor of it and I think they should have made a special exception, but if they’re doing it for him, they have to do it for everyone.”
