For the first time since the 2017 Wimbledon Championships, every member of the ‘big four’ contingent will feature in a grand slam tournament at this year’s US Open.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are the two highest seeded players in this year’s draw. Reigning Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic follows closely behind at sixth and Andy Murray will be unseeded in the event for the first time since 2005. Murray is currently ranked 382nd in the world following his hiatus from the sport due to injury. In that group, no player have lost in the first round of a major since Nadal at the 2016 Australian Open. A record that some players are hoping to break in New York.
For David Ferrer, a win over Nadal on the opening day of the tournament would be a dream scenario. The Spanish veteran has confirmed that the US Open will be the final grand slam he plays in before retiring from the sport. Against Nadal, he trails their head-to-head 6-24 and hasn’t defeated a top-10 player for over a year.
“I want to win and I will play on Monday against Nadal with that intention. That is part of my DNA. I am on the threshold of withdrawal, but I will die being competitive.” Ferrer told El Espanol ahead of the first round.
Should Ferrer achieve the unthinkable, he would become only the third player to knock Nadal out in the opening round of a major. Following in the footsteps of Steve Darcis (Wimbledon, 2013) and Fernando Verdasco (Australian Open, 2016).
“We have a great history together. We have been in the Davis Cup team together, including this year. He’s a good friend.” Nadal said of Ferrer during the US Open draw ceremony on Thursday.
“He has been an amazing player for such a long time. It’s true that he is going through times, but he is still a high level player.”
Three-time grand slam champion Murray embarks upon the New York major in unfamiliar territory. Unlike previous years, the Brit has played down his chances of success. The US Open will be only his sixth tournament since returning from injury.
“For the last 10 years or so I’ve been coming and trying to prepare to win the event whereas I don’t feel like that’s realistic for me this year,” Murray told reporters in New York.
“It’s a slightly different mentality for me coming in than what I have had the last 10, 11 years of my life.”
In the first round Murray takes on Australia’s James Duckworth. A player who has also endured his fair share of injury troubles. It will be the first time he has played a best-of-five match for more than a year. Something 26-year-old Duckworth hopes to capitalise on.
“Look, if I was ever going to play Murray, this is probably the best time to play him,” Duckworth told Australian media.
“He hasn’t played a best-of-five-set match for over a year so I give myself a chance. I’m obviously going to have to play well, but I’m definitely a chance.
“Obviously I’m not the favourite going in but I’m going to give it my best shot, take it to him, try to play positive tennis and see how I go.”
An honour for some
Whilst some may perceive it as a bit of bad luck to be drawn against one of the big four in the first round, Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka is focusing on the positives. The 22-year-old will take on Roger Federer on Tuesday. Nishioka has been ranked as high as 58th in the world, but missed eight months of the tour last year due to a knee injury.
“I arrived in New York,” Nishioka tweeted.
“This is the last place in this expedition. The draw was Federer and… This year’s Grand Slam brings me really no luck.
“But it is a dream to play with Federer, so I’m looking forward to it. I want to do the best I can.”
Federer is bidding to win the New York title for the first time in 10 years. He has a 11-2 win-loss record against Japanese players so far in his professional career. His two losses were at the hands of Kei Nishikori.
Finally, Novak Djokovic is hoping to continue his winning momentum generated from Wimbledon and Cincinnati. In his first match, the Serbian faces Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics. A player currently ranked 41st in the world that won his maiden ATP title earlier this year at the Geneva Open. Fucsovics has achieved a new career-high seven times so far this season with his best being 40th.
“I do not have anything to lose, he has, I hope we play a good game.” He told index.ru about the upcoming clash.
“I know him well, I’ve been training with him many times, and his staff knows me well.”
Djokovic is seeded sixth at the US Open. He has never lost before the third round of the tournament since making his debut back in 2005.
In US Open history, no member of the big four has ever lost in the first round.
The big four’s record in Grand slam first Round’s
|
Name |
R1 wins |
R1 losses |
| Roger Federer |
67 |
6 |
| Novak Djokovic |
52 |
2 |
| Rafael Nadal |
51 |
2 |
| Andy Murray |
43 |
3 |
Players ranked by highest winning percentage
- Novak Djokovic – 96.3%
- Rafael Nadal – 96.23%
- Andy Murray – 93.48%
- Roger Federer – 91.7%
