Djokovic’s principled stance is likely to cost him the chance to equal Nadal’s record in New York

With the US Open now within touching distance, the pre-tournament talk is being dominated by Novak Djokovic’s potential exclusion. Indeed, the Serb is likely to be denied entry into the United States for personal reasons that do not align with the US’s entry requirements. It was a similar story for the 35-year-old in Australia after he was deported from Melbourne and denied the chance to compete in the year’s first Grand Slam.

It should be pointed out that the groundswell of opinion is in favor of Djokovic being allowed to compete in New York after a petition asking for the Serb to be granted entry into the States closed in on 45,000 signatures as of the 26th of July. The truth is that those pleas are likely to fall on deaf ears, which ultimately means that Djokovic’s principled stance will, in all likelihood, cost him the opportunity to equal Rafa Nadal’s Grand Slam record of 22.

Determined Djokovic willing to give up all-time records

You could argue that it makes no sense for Djokovic to die on this particular hill when eternal greatness is within touching distance but at the same time, the Serb is sticking to his convictions. Essentially, this means that the door will be open for other players to steal the show in the Big Apple but who is most likely to capitalize on the Wimbledon champion’s absence?

All signs point toward Nadal being the man to beat after an inspired showing in SW19 during early July. Ultimately, it was only injury that could stop Nadal with the Spaniard withdrawing after an epic quarter-final win against Taylor Fritz owing to an abdominal tear. This obviously opened the door for Nick Kyrgios to walk into the final without having to contest the semi-final with Nadal.

Still, Nadal looked unbeatable on Wimbledon’s hallowed turf before injury struck, and at odds of +600 that have been supplied by PointsBet sportsbook to go all the way at Flushing Meadows, the Mallorca-born superstar looks the best bet. Some may argue that those are still speculative odds and if this is your point of view then there are betting promotions that can be taken advantage of to back Nadal to win. In addition, PointsBet offers the best free bet bonus, which will provide a generous opening amount when it comes to betting on Nadal to win his fifth US Open. Although, there are numerous other welcome bonuses that new customers can take advantage of.

Medvedev returns

Of course, it’s also worth keeping in mind that Daniil Medvedev will be competing in a Grand Slam again after missing Wimbledon, courtesy of a ban on all Russian players imposed by the uncompromising All England Club. The USTA has taken a different view on the matter and this means that Medvedev will defend the US Open title he won 12 months ago. At +250, the Russain is the outright favorite, but a lack of match sharpness could be his undoing in New York following a spell on the sidelines.

Along with Nadal and Medvedev as the players to watch, it also seems entirely plausible that the world will see a recharged Kyrgios who is likely to build on the momentum he found at Wimbledon when he finished runner-up to Djokovic.

Sadly, however, it seems a certainty that we won’t see the man who beat Kyrgios in that mesmerizing final play in the US Open this year. There can be little doubt about it, the US Open will be poorer without Djokovic, but, as ever, the show must go on.