US Open: Federer and Djokovic don't want to know anything
The draw at a Grand Slam tournament now leaves the big stars of tennis somewhat cold. Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, for example, take it as it comes.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Aug 22, 2019, 07:39 pm
By Jens Huiber from New York City
It was a little warm. That was Naomi Osaka's first thought when she and Novak Djokovic took the stage in front of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The two defending champions were invited to comment on the draw for the last Grand Slam tournament of 2019, under different conditions: While Djokovic did not yet know that he had to run against Roberto Carballes Baena, Osaka already had a first look thrown on the women's grid: Anna Blinkova, just placed in the top 100, will try to make the Japanese runner-up mad within twelve months. Just as Osaka did with Angelique Kerber in 2017.
During training with Naomi Osaka, attentive observers had seen with a knee cuff that she was as healthy as she could be, the 21-year-old said in a nutshell. The one that appeared with black legging and the same blouson at the mandatory date was a righteous offensive announcement at temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius.
Federer trains with Thiem
Novak Djokovic also came in the tracksuit, at least the Serbian branch boss had chosen white. He needed a little time to familiarize himself with the grid, and no, thank you very much, he didn't want to take a look at the division live. Even if Mary-Joe Fernandez Djokovic offered the tableaus for inspection. The man from Belgrade was only too late to learn that Roger Federer had been drawn into his half.
That was the end of his training session at the grandstand, Dominic Thiem was so free to hit a few balls with the maestro. In front of a considerable crowd, the entire qualification week in Flushing Meadows is themed "Fan Appreciation Week". The Swiss said in an interview on the pitch that he had absolutely no interest in watching the draw live - after the training sessions, an innovation that the top players have to get used to. Also found Novak Djokovic.
This time Millman can run against Nadal
For him, Federer, initially only the first two rounds are interesting, anything beyond that, fans and journalists should take care of that. That doesn't mean that Roger Federer doesn't know he could face Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. This duel almost happened last year, and John Millman objected. The Australian can now try Rafael Nadal. In less than twelve months against the top three players of today - Millman can't complain about the lack of spotlights.
Which in turn could touch Dominic Thiem. The Austrian is known for deeply working his way into a tableau, that at the 2019 US Open meant well with Thiem. Thomas Fabbiano defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in Wimbledon, but that was mainly because of the Greek looking for his top form. Media Day on Friday will show exactly what Thiem and Federer say about their draw.
In which Naomi Osaka will also participate. It remains to be seen whether it will be entirely in black. The two-time major winner is considered a quick learner.