NEW YORK—Novak Djokovic says that despite a subpar season, Rafael Nadal has a legitimate chance to win the U.S. Open. Since the 2014 French Open, where Nadal won his 14th major, the Spaniard has yet to reach another semifinal at a Grand Slam, and was unable to defend his 2014 U.S. Open title due to injury (he withdrew from the tournament).
Nadal has won the U.S. Open twice before, in 2010 and 2013, both times defeating Djokovic in the final.
“Rafa has been below his standard this season, he hasn’t won a Grand Slam this year and he hasn't won a lot of tournaments and hasn’t played his best at the major events, but he has done this before and came back and had the best ever in his life in 2013,” Djokovic said when asked about Nadal's position by TENNIS.com.
“He has so much intensity and effort in his game that sometimes his body suffers more," the Serbian added. "But I am sure he is hard working, he spends hours on the court daily to get better and to have a real chance to win this. I’m sure he is really motivated to win the U.S. Open. He always has a chance. You can’t sign Nadal out, 14-time Grand Slam champion, he deserves a favorite.”