SU is bummed that fave Novak Djokovic had to withdraw from the US Open last night after 2 sets.  He has been battling a sore left shoulder for several weeks now.  He has tried to keep the injury treatment a secret and that came back to bite him last night.  The night time crowd at Ashe Stadium booed him as he left the stadium which is wrong.  SU wonders if when Nadal called it quits in the middle of his semi-final match last year against Del Potro, did the fans boo him?  No way that happened.  Djokovic does not get the love from the fans playing in the era of Federer and Nadal – he just does not – despite being a good guy who looks to engage with the fans at every opportunity.  He is still my guy.

Tennis is a grueling sport – more so these days with how hard every player hits – and a short off-season.  Even though the top players don’t play every tournament, it is very tough and injuries have become an issue.  Nadal has missed long periods and even the GOAT, Federer, has taken off some weeks.  Tennis needs a longer off-season.

Be sure to tune in on Tuesday night to see Medvedev play Wawrinka.  The fans love Stan the Man, Medvedev loves to play the villain in New York – apparently.  This will be more entertaining that Kyrgios.  Some say it’s refreshing for tennis to have a guy like this.  Maybe but SU prefers the mutual respect that Djokovic, Federer and Nadal have for each other.

Naomi Osaka offered up a stark contrast to Serena the other night with Coco Gauff after the match.  A terrific display of sportsmanship by bringing Coco out on to the court for the post-match interview.  She learned a lot from her finals experience with Serena “YOU OWE ME AN APOLOGY!” Williams last year.  Osaka is a true sports person – showed a ton of class, empathy — gets the bigger picture.  Serena has always been all about herself.  SU is not fooled by the talk of defending all women’s rights and wanting women to be treated the same as men in tennis.  I get all that but her over-riding agenda is always what’s best for her.   That can mean threatening to shove a ball down the throat of a lineswoman a few years back at the US Open or screaming at the umpire over and over again.  For SU, in any tournament, it’s always “anyone but Serena.”  Just cannot ever root for her.

Now, Coco Gauff is very good and some day she will be a great player. But SU says do not lose sight of Katy McNally.  She took a set off of Serena and at 17 years old, is really, really good.  SU says she is better than Gauff and has the complete game.  It’s refreshing that both of them can volley and over time, will no doubt make coming to net part of their games.  Taylor Townsend has made a living of that in this year’s Open and is a great story.  Women’s tennis can use some fresh, young American faces who have more diverse games.  Now if only the American men can find those players.

SU was sorry to hear that Edwin Encarnacion is coming back later this week.  Here is the reality: for the playoffs, the best line up is Urshela at 3rd and LeMahieu at 1st base.  You can flip a coin between Voit and Encarnacion to DH – both will strike out 2 times every game.  Tauchman has cooled in left field but there is no talk about Hicks returning any time soon.  SU actually prefers Tauchman over Hicks – more contact.  Boone and Cashman will be tested in putting together the post-season roster.  And if the Generational One returns, well that will be a total mess.  SU says you just cannot, cannot, cannot go overly right-handed.

The Yankees have had a great run but they need to get to the World Series this year.  And that means not pitching CC in October or probably Happ either.  Severino is very key and we will know in a few weeks if can be a factor.