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As the US Open begins on Monday, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams seem ever more invincible than ever.
There is little question that Djokovic and Serena have been the dominant players in the world for the last several years.
Since 2010, both the smooth-stroking Djokovic and the hard-hitting Williams have each won 11 Grand Slam singles titles and reigned as the world No. 1.
for the first time in recent times, there are question marks regarding the health, emotional well-being and match readiness of the tournament’s top seeds.
“I think the other players are looking at him (Novak) and Serena, and saying that we all got a shot.”
Those were the words of ESPN analyst and Serena’s fellow six-time US Open champion Chris Evert during Friday’s draw ceremony.
This summer has been filled with stops and starts for both Williams and Djokovic.
Nursing a right shoulder injury, Williams has played just three matches since winning her seventh Wimbledon singles title and 22nd major singles title.
She labored through the Olympics, losing in the third round, and withdrew from Cincinnati earlier this month.
“I have not played a lot and practiced a lot. The shoulder is getting a little bit better,” said Williams.
She was drawn into a dangerous first-round match against former world No. 8 Ekaterina Makarova.
“I am taking it a day at a time,” she chipped in. Williams has a lot at stake starting on Monday.
She will be bidding for her seventh US Open singles title, which would break a deadlock with Evert and move her into a tie for second on the all-time record list with Helen Wills.
Another Grand Slam title would also break a tie with Steff Graff and move her into second place and one behind all-time Grand Slam leader Margaret Court.
Additionally, she must make the semifinals to keep her world No. 1 ranking.
“Usually I prefer to play more coming into tournament,” said the 34-year-old Williams.
“But there is nothing you can do about it and I am going to try to make the best of every single opportunity that I have to play.”
Djokovic’s summer campaign started in unexpected fashion, with a third-round exit at Wimbledon to Sam Querrey.
He looked to have regained his form by winning the Rogers Cup in Toronto.
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But then, a few days before starting the Olympics, Djokovic hurt his left wrist.
He lost in the opening round to Juan Martin del Potro and has not played a tournament match since.
Not ideal preparation for the year’s last major, admitted the defending champion.
“I am doing everything in my power to make sure that I am as close to 100 percent as possible during the course of the tournament or at least at the beginning,” said Djokovic.
He could get a stern test in the first round against former world No. 14 and 2013 Wimbledon semifinalist Jerzy Janowicz.
“I have gotten better and am hoping on Monday that I will be able to hit my backhand.”
Djokovic acknowledged that he has been using several treatment options in a race against time to be healthy by opening day.
“Sometimes as an athlete what you need is time.
“But because the US Open is right around the corner I don’t have too much time so I try to compensate and improvise to find the best way to get myself ready,” said Djokovic.
Djokovic also won here in 2011 and has reached the semifinals or better each of the last nine years.
Through it all, Djokovic still calls this a “phenomenal season” and that he is in an optimistic mood entering the tournament.
“Confidence level is high, I guess,” said Djokovic, the 2016 Australian and French Open title holder.
“I don’t feel that it has shaken me too much. I just hope to be healthy and enable to play the way I wish to play.”
Evert is expecting to see the Djokovic back in top form.
“For me personally, he is such a champion, he is going to say enough is enough I am going to get back and let’s really get serious about winning this title,” said Evert.
“He is such a great champion and mentally always one of the best. I think he is going to come back in strong form.”
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