Tennis fans may feel like they have slipped into a time warp after Roger Federer won the Australian Open and Wimbledon and Rafael Nadal won the French Open. It is like 2010 all over again, with the Swiss and the Spaniard on top of the men’s game. There is just one grand slam left this season and Federer is the favourite to win it, with Nadal second favourite, so these elder statesmen could well perform a clean sweep in 2017.
We are a month away from the US Open, but speculation is already intense as to who will win it as the world is caught up in tennis fever following a spectacular Wimbledon. Federer is in the form of his life and the decision to sit out the entire clay court season to prepare for grass and hard court tournaments paid dividends when he lifted the Wimbledon trophy for a record eighth time. He is moving with grace and athleticism that belie his 35 years and he is deservedly the favourite. Most of the action is going on him and several green listed bookmakers are offering 2/1, but William Hill and Betfair have 5/2 and Winner will go out to 3/1. Federer has learned to conserve his energy well and is in the form of his life, so he is understandably the favourite.
Next up is Nadal at 4/1 with various bookmakers. He has had another strong season, but he specialises on clay and it is unlikely that he would be able to beat Federer on the hard court, while there are many other players on the circuit that would fancy their chances of beating him at Flushing Meadows after he was knocked out in the last 16 of Wimbledon by Gilles Müller. At 4/1 there is little value on the Spaniard.
Next up are world number one and two, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, who are both 11/2 with Bet Victor (many bookies have Murray at 11/2 but only Bet Victor is offering that on Djokovic, with some making him 4/1 joint second favourite along with Nadal). Djokovic has struggled with form and injuries for a year now and seems to be a fading force. It is difficult to imagine him winning the US Open. This was supposed to be the year Murray cemented his status at the summit of the men’s game after overhauling Djokovic to become world number one. It has been a huge disappointment for the Scot. He has not won a grand slam and has suffered several humiliating defeats. While Federer and Nadal were resting ahead of big challenges, Murray was pushing his body to get through various tournaments and he was in no fit shape to compete at Wimbledon. Had he been 100% he would have won it or at least given Federer a run for his money. As it was he limped around court and lost to Sam Querrey, who was duly dispatched himself in the next round.
What can he do between now and then to get himself back into shape? Former champion Boris Becker warned him that he only has one body and he needs to take care of it, and that would be good advice to heed. He has seen a specialist and may be forced into an operation that could mean a lengthy layoff. If he is absent at Flushing Meadows, Federer might prove unstoppable again. If he returns to his peak by then, however, full of freshness and vitality, he could well spring a surprise and win it, so odds of 11/2 look good.
Apart from that, it looks like Federer could complete a remarkable year by winning again. A dark horse would be champion and fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka (14/1 with Boyle Sports), as he has what it takes to beat anyone on his day, while an even longer shot would be the emerging force that is Alexander Zverev (30/1 with Unibet) but right now – Murray aside – it is hard to see anyone stopping Federer.
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