US Open 2016: Andy Murray lands favourable US Open draw as struggling Novak Djokovic hands Brit double title boost
Wimbledon and Olympic champion faces Lukas Rosol in round one as Serbian admits 'private issues' have affected his form
ANDY MURRAY’S hopes of going from Lord of the Rings to King of New York have received a double boost.
First the Olympic champion was given a kind-looking draw at the US Open.
Then, within minutes, biggest rival Novak Djokovic admitted he was not 100 per cent fit to begin the defence of his title.
Djokovic insisted he had resolved the “private issues” which were affecting him when he suffered his shock defeat to Sam Querrey in the third round at Wimbledon.
But the Serb was even more open in acknowledging that he was still feeling the injury to his left wrist which he picked up at the Olympics.
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And more shockingly, Djokovic compared it to the problem which kept Juan Martin Del Potro — the man who beat him in the first round in Rio — out of tennis for more than TWO YEARS.
Djokovic, who has used electrical therapy in his race against time to be fit for New York, said: “The wrist hasn’t been in an ideal state for the last 3½ weeks.
“But I’m doing everything in my power to make sure that I’m as close to 100 per cent as possible during this tournament.
“I never had this injury before. I played against Del Potro, who was absent with it himself.
“It was interesting for me to experience how it is for him for so many years struggling with that essential part of your body as a tennis player.”
The injury particularly affects Djokovic’s backhand — his key shot — and the stroke which Del Potro is still rebuilding after his own difficulties.
Djokovic’s problem is unlikely to ease as the US Open progresses, especially with former champions Marin Cilic and Rafael Nadal potentially waiting for him in the later rounds.
The world No 1 also refused to duck questions about what had been ailing him at Wimbledon.
After his defeat by Querrey, there were persistent rumours of a bust-up with wife Jelena, although tennis insiders have dismissed them.
Djokovic said: “We all have private issues — things that we have to encounter and overcome in order to evolve as a human being.”
Make of that what you will.
But as ever-cautious Murray is quick to point out, Djokovic’s state of body and mind are irrelevant until the final because that would be the Scot’s first opportunity to play the Serb or fellow wrist injury victim Nadal.
Murray said: “They’re both in the top half of the draw. Them having wrist problems doesn’t affect my chances of getting to the final.
“I think Rafa pretty much proved his fitness in Rio, with winning the doubles.
“I don’t know how Novak is feeling. If he’s playing here he must be feeling pretty good.”
Apparently not, but first things first for Murray and that means opening-round opponent Lukas Rosol. And the pair have history.
The Czech annoyed the Scot when they met last year in Munich, bumping into him at a changeover in a heated match.
It prompted Murray, 29, who eventually won 4-6 6-3 6-2, to retort: “No one like you on the Tour. Everyone hates you.”
But Muzza said: “I spoke to him after the match and it was fine. I’ve actually got along fine with him apart from that day.
“He’s a big, strong guy who goes for his shots and takes a lot of risks.”
But how much of a risk is Djokovic taking by playing in New York?
- BRITS Kyle Edmund and Aljaz Bedene have very tough first-round tasks.
Davis Cup hero Edmund will play No 13 seed Richard Gasquet, while Bedene will take on No 14 seed Nick Kyrgios.
Dan Evans will be pleased to have been drawn to face US wildcard Rajeev Ram, however.
Britain’s top female player, No 13 seed Jo Konta, will play another American wildcard, Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Konta is in the lower half of the draw with No 2 seed Angelique Kerber and is seeded to face French Open champion Garbine Muguruza, whom she beat in New York last year, in the last 16.
Laura Robson's reward for battling her way through qualifying is a clash with fellow Brit Naomi Broady.
Heather Watson will play Dutch qualifier Richel Hogenkamp.
