NEW YORK – Despite the crowd cheering for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the two most decorated tennis players of all time, unseeded Injury Withdrawal has been slated in as the favourite to win the US Open this year.
The final major of the year will also determine who ends the year as the world number 1, with odds also favouring Injury Withdrawal.
“We are talking about someone who beat Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawinka in a space of a few weeks,” says seven-time Grand Slam champion winner and commentator John McEnroe. “Injury Withdrawal has also taken down Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic, among others.”
It is believed that while Federal and Nadal remain the sentimental favourites, they would have their work cut out against the more fancied opponent.
“Injury Withdrawal has had a better head to head against Nadal throughout their matchup,” highlights six-time major winner Boris Becker. “And we all know what happened when Federer came across IW last year.”
Experts and bookies further say that in case Injury Withdrawal does not bag the US Open, it’s definitely going to look ahead to another successful season next year.
“The dynamics of the sport and the courts now favour Injury Withdrawal more than ever,” says Samantha Blair, a New York-based bookie.