BORIS BECKER PREVIEWS THE 2021 US OPEN

On the favourites for the men's title at the US Open
He's the number 1 in the world and a three-time Grand Slam winner this year. So, if Novak Djokovic is not the favourite for the tournament now, who should be? Yes, he hasn't had a hard court tournament before, but he is a very experienced player and knows his body best. As far as the sporting side is concerned, there are some players who I also like very much.

A German named Zverev, for example, is right up there for me. Then of course Tsitsipas, who is also knocking on the door. And then the wonderful Medvedev. It's a pleasure to watch him. You never know exactly what's going to happen - and I don't think he knows himself what's coming. Djokovic is my top favourite, second comes Zverev, Medvedev third and Tsitsipas fourth in terms of favourites.

On Alexander Zverev's development during and after the Olympic Games
He actually played the way we always want him to play: offensively. His forehand was aggressive, his serve was incredibly good. Something happened to him psychologically. He freed himself from all the pressure that had been on him, that he had put on himself, that he might have felt from the public, that he might have felt from his family. I have maybe never seen him play tennis so well. That also applies to his mindset - after all, he was down a set and a break against the so to say invincible, against Novak Djokovic. And then he plays as if unleashed. It all starts in the head, with the mentality, with being able to handle the pressure well - and he showed that. Slowly, he's really slipping into the role of a very great player, a champion. That's how he's playing right now. And the way he played in Cincinnati, the way he won there - every match except the semi-final in two sets - he took a huge step forward!

On Novak Djokovic and the possible calendar Grand Slam
Winning the Grand Slam is the most difficult task in tennis. If he had just kept playing, I think he would have run out of steam in the second week in New York. It's not an ideal preparation, he always plays a hard court tournament before, but this year is a bit different. He also won Paris and played a tournament right before Paris, he's never done that before. Then he played Wimbledon without a preparation tournament and won it as well - this year everything is different and maybe that fits into his plan. But he needed a break, especially to recover from the mental strain of the year."

On the favourites for the US Open women's singles title
Of course I would say Ash Barty, but she also gets tired at some point. She played the Olympics, then Cincinnati - that's all very exhausting. And Angie was at home again after Wimbledon, she was able to recharge and didn't play the Olympics. She is actually still as fit as a fiddle. That's why I think Kerber has a great chance. And I would never underestimate a champion. If Naomi Osaka gets back into shape and her tunnel and can concentrate only on tennis again, then she can win again. The first week is crucial for her, there she will face the questions again - like in the last weeks and months.

On the situation around Naomi Osaka
Not only me, but the whole world is following her every step now. I don't know if she wants it, but because of what she said in Paris, people were already worried. At the Olympic Games in Japan, she had the great honour of lighting the Olympic fire. In the second round, she lost outright, as she did in Cincinnati. So something is not round, something is bothering her, something is happening to her. Personally, I wish her all the best for the time being, that she gets her nerves under control again. Tennis will come back one day. But the feeling that she's enjoying life again and enjoying playing tennis, that's the most important thing. But I don't see that in her yet. Now she has the US Open coming up. She has big advertising contracts with American companies, so she has to play there as well. But whether it's the best thing for her health, I dare to doubt it.

Boris Becker will providing expert analysis for Eurosport and discovery+ (selected markets) during the US Open across Europe except UK & Ireland, which starts on Monday 30 August.