The US Open 2022 promises to be a fairly uncertain tournament. The big favorite would be Novak Djokovic, but his participation is in strong doubt. Not being vaccinated against Coronavirus, the Serbian phenomenon could be barred from entering the United States.
The CDC equated vaccinated and unvaccinated in internal treatment, but the rules at the border have not been changed for the time being. The presence of Alexander Zverev is also at great risk. The semifinalist of the last edition is still recovering from the terrible ankle injury he remedied at Roland Garros.
Although he has not canceled out of the last Grand Slam of the season, the German has admitted that it will be very difficult for him to arrive in New York in good shape. The spotlight will therefore be on outgoing champion Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal, who will have a great chance to win his 23rd Major.
The 36-year-old from Manacor didn’t shine in Cincinnati, but he always delivered great tennis in the Big Apple. Also worth keeping an eye on is Nick Kyrgios, who is disputing the best season of his career. Speaking to the Tennis Channel, Andy Roddick urged opponents and experts not to underestimate the Australian.
Andy Roddick on Kyrgios
If the absences of Novak Djokovic (not vaccinated) and Alexander Zverev (ankle injury) are confirmed, Nick Kyrgios will have a little more room at the US Open where he has great ambitions after his Wimbledon final.
Historically, this tournament has not really been successful for him even though he has reached the 3rd round several times, but that does not prevent Andy Roddick from placing him among the big favorites for this 2022 edition.
“I find it very important that he went to Washington, which is a key event in the preparation for the US Open. The conditions are brutal….Playing singles and doubles and not breaking down mentally or physically is a very, very good sign.
I think he’s one of the two or three favorites for the US Open,” the US consultant told Tennis Channel despite a depleted Nick’s pretty heavy loss to Taylor Fritz in Cincinnati this week. Kyrgios, when asked if he finds himself more connected with the fans and on a certain level of understanding with media now, said, “The fans are great.
I mean, without the fans there’s not really any excitement, there’s no sport really without fans”. Thereafter, he added, “As for the media, I couldn’t care less. I do this because I have to be here and I don’t want to get fined. So I mean it’s routine”.
