“Don’t See That Happening” – Tennis Legend Disregards Any Surprise Winner At US Open 2020

Patrick McEnroe has a career spanning almost three decades, first as a player, and then as an ESPN analyst/commentator. He has seen a lot of ups and downs, making him a reliable source for predictions. After five months of the worldwide hiatus due to the pandemic, tennis is slowly returning to life. The sport is adjusting to the ‘new normal’. Although there are lots of uncertainties, this American legend believes in the consistency of the players in the upcoming US Open.

“The cream will rise to the top” – Patrick McEnroe on US Open

With players arriving at the Billie Jean King National Center, New York, McEnroe believes there won’t be any surprise winners this year. “The best players are going to be the best players,” McEnroe told ATPTour.com. “The cream will rise to the top.”

The veteran believes the players should arrive early at the center to train. Cincinnati’s ATP Masters 1000 and US Open are going to take place in the New York-based facility. With an early arrival, players can make sure they get more familiar with the court.

“Get there as early as you can and obviously the people who play ‘Cincinnati’, you’ve got to think that’s smart. I would get out there and play as many sets as you can,” McEnroe said. “Play as many real practice sets and matches with other players as you can to try to get sharp. I’m sure all these guys have been training and hitting a bunch of balls, but it’s always different when you go out for match play.”

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The former United States Davis Cup team captain and world no. 3 in doubles thinks there won’t be any upsets despite the five months hiatus.

“People say, ‘Oh, maybe someone’s going to come through and win the US Open. Maybe someone who is like Thiem or Tsitsipas who’s already there. I don’t see someone coming out of nowhere. That just doesn’t happen. I don’t see that happening,” McEnroe said. “That’s not saying it’s a lock that Djokovic is going to win. You can certainly make the argument that he might be more susceptible. But I don’t see someone coming out of nowhere and winning the Open.”

With the best-of-five sets format, McEnroe is positive that the top participating players will go past the second round in the Grand Slam and in the Western and Southern Open.

With the Wimbledon canceled and French Open postponed, US Open is the first Grand Slam to take place in the pandemic era. The tournament starts on 31 August.