“Can’t See Him Failing to Win”: Marion Bartoli Analyzes What Makes Novak Djokovic the Favorite at US Open 2021

The US Open 2021 is approaching sooner than ever. Ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year, all the players have started their preparations. With Roger Federer pulling out due to injury, the men’s singles has opened up big time. However, the firm favorite continues to be 20-time Slam champion Novak Djokovic. He has won the three preceding majors this year, and will be gunning to go four out of four. The path to victory will not be easy; but with the mental strength and ability of Djokovic, anything is possible.

Will Novak Djokovic be ready to regain the US Open crown?

After a tiring season so far, Novak Djokovic finally decided to take a much-needed break before the US Open 2021. Having played so much tennis since the beginning of the year, fatigue was always going to catch up to the Serb. This was also seen in Tokyo at the Olympic Games, where Djokovic was evidently worn down. He shockingly failed to win a medal in both singles and doubles, and returned home empty-handed.

After the exhausting campaign, the World No.1 decided that he would skip the tournaments leading into the final major of the season. As a result, he pulled out of the Western and Southern Open Masters 1000 in Cincinnati. He announced that he would spend some valuable time with his family, before heading to New York. This means that Novak will head into Flushing Meadows without any prior match practice. It will be an uphill task for him, but we have seen him achieve more unthinkable things.

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Marion Bartoli feels that the Serbian is still the favorite

A five-setter brings out so many more challenges as compared to a best-of-three. It is one of the many reasons as to why the big-three have been so successful. In a recent interview, former Grand Slam champion Marion Bartoli discussed how the longevity plays into the hands of Djokovic. Analyzing the favorite to win the men’s US Open crown, the French star had a lot to say.?“I would not understand if we do not place him [Djokovic] as a big favorite,”?quoted the 2013 Wimbledon winner.

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She spoke about what conditions make it even more conducive for the Serbian machine to succeed.?“For me he is a big favorite. It’s a little easier. He has a day off between each match, he has time to think about each victory, he has time to rest before the next game. I think Grand Slams are definitely playing in favor of Novak Djokovic. He will try to win a 21st Grand Slam and be the first to reach this level. I think his motivation will be at its peak and he has the game to win on hard, he has proven it time and time again. To be honest, I can’t see him failing to win the US Open.”

These bold claims will increase the pressure on the No.1 ranked player at Flushing Meadows. But as he said himself, ‘pressure is a privilege’. Nonetheless, it is also a warning to the rest of the playing field. Provided we are to see someone apart from Novak Djokovic lift the trophy in a month’s time, it will take a monumental effort from whosoever!