I don't have the actual statistic on this one but I can safely say it's been well over a year since we got to see the big four compete at a tournament together nevermind a Master's event. Tennis fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of seeing Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray at the same tournament potentially setting up two big clashes between the four.

Last year in Cincinnati fans got to only see Nadal in action, the other three were not in attendance due to either injury or rest periods. So Ohio tennis fans will count themselves are very lucky to be the recipients of their next meeting which at one point last year looked highly unlucky to transpire again. There is no doubt this event will be sold out just on the prospect alone of this occurring, even though there is still time for one of them to drop out. 

My Two Ideal Matches Between the Big Four

We obviously won't get to see all of the big four play each other, there will likely be two matches only. So ideally my perfect line up would be Federer vs Nadal and Djokovic vs Murray. For me these rivalries are the best fit when considering the styles of play of the four.

Nadal going head to head with Federer would have to be in the final at Cincinnati because they are ranked number 1 and 2 in the world so they will be placed at complete opposite sides of the draw. So it will be interesting to see if Murray or Djokovic can snuff out either player's march to the Masters title. I think this is a big possibility and it will likely rob Ohio fans of their dream final.

Last Time Federer and Nadal Met

Federer defeated Nadal in their last meeting in the Shanghai Masters back in 2017

Last Time Djokovic and Murray Met

Djokovic defeated Murray in their last meeting in Doha back in 2017

Where as many tennis fans will choose Federer vs Nadal as their preferable match to watch live, I would put Murray and Djokovic on an equal footing. I would happily accept tickets for a front row seat to either match up! Djokovic and Murray and more than capable of producing a stunning match of endless baseline tennis. With both players arguably having the best defense in tennis that goes beyond Nadal's capability for balls recovered behind the baseline these two can go at it for what seems an endless amount of time.

Dimitrov the Unlikely Winner Last Year

Nadal was the clear favourite to win this one last year but he was defeated in the quarter finals by Nick Kyrgios who then went on to loose in the final to Dimitrov in straight sets.

Dimitrov himself earned his place in the final the hard way having to take down Argentinian giant Juan Martin Del Potro along the way.

Federer Chooses Cincinnati Over Rogers Cup

I don't think this was anything personal to Canadian tennis fans and the Rogers Cup, it was more of a scheduling choice with the Cincinnati Masters coming slightly later than the Rogers Cup providing Federer with a bit more rest before he next plays. I am sure if the tournaments would have been the other way around it would be Cincinnati fans suffering the loss of the king of tennis instead.

Murray Pulls Out of Washington

Andy Murray has pulled out of the Washington Citi Open after his gruelling 3 hour encounter against Marius Copil yesterday. He clearly was exhausted emotionally and physically and didn't want to push himself over the edge having just come back from injury.

Concerns Over Tournament Scheduling...

It does raise big questions about the way tournaments are structured with Murray being asked to play again less than 24 hours after his previous 3 hour encounter. The pressure many tournaments put on the players is immense. You would have to play a 3 hour match yourself to realise how much energy actually goes into a tennis game, it weighs hugely on your entire body.

If you think footballers play once or twice a week for 90 minutes. Now consider a tennis player can play 5 times a week with each match ranging for 2 hours to 5 hours and you will realise that tennis players are one of the most overworked athletes in sport.

Withdraws from the Rogers Cup...

Following his withdrawal from Washington Murray also announced his withdrawal from the Rogers Cup (the second big player in a month to withdraw with Federer being the first). He is likely to now compete next week in the Western & Southern Masters 1000 in Cincinnati instead.

So yes good news and bad news there, obviously for Canadian fans the Rogers Cup would have been far better with both Federer and Murray in the mix. But at the same time Murray is not injured again, he is being very cautious with his journey to recovery and we will see him next week as part of a mouth watering line up which will also featured Federer, Nadal and Djokovic!

Photos courtesy of ATP World Tour