Djokovic, Nadal and Federer struggle with their bodies before the US Open: how serious is it? – Match Points #30
Josh Cohen hosts the Tennis Majors talk show on the day’s most crucial conversation points in the sport. This time round, Marion Bartoli, Simon Cambers and Carole Bouchard are discussing everything about the Big Three
The Big Three are dominating the discussion once more. Who will be the first to 21 Grand Slams? Can Novak Djokovic manage a clean sweep this year after his Olympic disappointment? And can Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer get back to full fitness?
Host Josh Cohen speaks to former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli and journalists Simon Cambers and Carole Bouchard to get their views.
And there’s plenty to discuss. Will Nina Stojanovic ever have another chance to win an Olympic medal – and should Djokovic have played their mixed doubles bronze medal match in Tokyo despite his exhaustion?
“I think there’s a danger Novak Djokovic has worn himself out a little bit,” says Cambers. “To give it everything, go flat-out, played mixed as well, he really put everything on the line.”
Can Federer adjust his schedule to give himself one more chance of Wimbledon glory?
“It’s impossible to read his mind!” declares Bartoli. “I believe he wants to end on a high.”
And will Nadal always go in to Roland-Garros as the favourite to lift the trophy? Bouchard thinks so…
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF MATCH POINTS #30 ON THE NORTH AMERICAN SWING
What we learned about Novak Djokovic so far this summer, including his current mindset and physical condition (from around 1.25)
Whether Djokovic can still win the calendar-year Grand Slam (around 2.45)
The emotional pressure Djokovic may have experienced while chasing the Golden Slam (around 3.40)
The players in the men’s singles at the US Open who Djokovic will want to avoid in the draw, and why he is still going to be many people’s tip for the title regardless of his past few weeks of difficulties (around 5.00)
The thinking behind Djokovic’s withdrawal from the Olympic mixed doubles competition, and whether it was fair on playing partner Stojanovic (around 7.00)
Bartoli’s surprise at Djokovic’s intentions to play mixed doubles at the Olympics regardless (around 8.00)
Rafael Nadal’s foot injury, his recovery, and his prospects of winning a 21st Grand Slam (around 10.30)
The likely issues that playing on a hard court will cause for Nadal (around 12.00)
How players cope with pain and how they know when to stop playing, and Marion Bartoli talking about her own experience (around 13.30)
Why Nadal is more at home in New York than on any other hard court (around 15.30)
Roger Federer’s prospects for fitness and success over the coming months (around 17.00)
Whether Federer will stage another Wimbledon campaign (around 19.00)
Why the Swiss is so hard to second-guess when it comes to his decision-making (around 21.00)
How he might put together his schedule – and when and where he might consider retirement (around 21.45)
