The absence of the Big Three from the Western and Southern Open represents a ‘different landscape’ in men’s tennis, according to former world No.1 Andy Murray.
For the first time since 2001 the Cincinnati Masters will be taking place without Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Djokovic has skipped the tournament in order to rest after sustaining a shoulder injury during the Tokyo Olympics. Meanwhile, both Federer and Nadal are dealing with ongoing injury issues and are also in doubt for the upcoming US Open which will begin at the end of this month.
Murray has battled against the trio throughout the majority of his career and has a combined win-loss record of 29-56 against them. Now playing in a Masters 1000 event without them in the draw, the Brit admits that it is a somewhat strange feeling.
“It’s a different landscape, for almost all of my career those guys have been there,” Murray told reporters on Sunday.
“But things are changing. Bodies are breaking down instead of (top) players being overtaken by tennis (progress).
“It gives a big opportunity for other players to win the title when those guys are not playing.”
The 34-year-old is no stranger to being hampered by injury issues himself after undergoing two hip surgeries within as many years in order to continue playing on the Tour. Murray has also been blighted by other issues, including recently suffering a muscle tear in his quad whilst playing in the Olympics. The issue forced him to withdraw from the singles draw but he was still able to take part in the doubles event alongside Joe Salisbury.
It is for this reason why Murray admits that he is finding it near impossible to plan for the coming weeks due to the unpredictability of how his body could react. Nevertheless, he isn’t giving up as he closes in on a return back into the world’s top 100.
“The future depends on how the body feels,” he commented on his current fitness. “It was feeling good up to Wimbledon and in the buildup to the Olympics.
“But then things slowed again — I’m hoping to feel good here.”
At the Western and Southern Open Murray has received a wildcard into the main draw. It is the fifth tournament in a row where he has been given a pass into the main draw this season. Something he argues is justified given his performance on the court.
“I would like to have the necessary ranking to enter these events directly. I have received four or five wildcard’s this year and I think that in almost all those tournaments I have justified that concession by winning a match,” he said.
“If I saw that I am not in a position to compete, I would not accept any wildcard because I would feel that I am taking someone else’s place, but as long as I am in good health and can continue to win games, I see no problem accepting.”
A two-time champion in Cincinnati, Murray will start his campaign against a qualifier.
