Rafael Nadal handed US Open advantage with Sascha Zverev joining Novak Djokovic in doubt

Rafael Nadal has been handed another boost for the US Open as Alexander Zverev looks set to join Novak Djokovic on the sidelines. The Spaniard will be bidding for a record-extending 23rd Major in Flushing Meadows next month and could have two of his biggest competitors for the title cleared out of his way, with the world No 7 set to be banned over vaccine rules and the German in doubt to recover from injury in time.

Djokovic has long been in doubt for the upcoming US Open, with the United States still not allowing unvaccinated travellers into the country. And Zverev could now join him in being forced to miss the final Grand Slam event of the year after sharing an update on the horror injury he picked up at the French Open.

The world No 2 went down on his ankle three hours into his semi-final clash with Nadal, needing a wheelchair to be taken off the court before returning on crutches to retire. He later confirmed he had torn several ligaments in his ankle and underwent surgery, missing Wimbledon and the grass season.

And the German has now shared an update of himself taking his first steps without crutches since he picked up the injury on June 3. While it's a positive start to his recovery and return to the tour, Zverev's chances to be back in time for the US Open now seem greatly in doubt with the 25-year-old only just starting to come off crutches.

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The absence of both Djokovic and Zverev would be a massive boost to Nadal, whose chances at the Calendar Grand Slam were thwarted when he was forced to pull out of Wimbledon with an abdominal injury. He is set to return for the upcoming Canadian Masters on August 7, and has still technically not