The men’s tour is having a party. Perhaps not the kind it would wish for. Not so much a party as an unfortunate gathering of modern male tennis icons. Just as the tires of a Formula 1 car need changing so not to be worn out, the body of a pro tennis player needs sufficient rest for the same reason. Unlike the tires though, there is no replacement. The US Open is seeing the highest number of top players absent for the first time in as long as I can remember. The Injured Party includes Murray, Djokovic, Wawrinka, Raonic, and Nishikori. The first three are proven grand slam winners, and the latter two have been finalists at this level. This makes quite a dent in the image of the year’s final grand slam tournament and sets Roger Federer up nicely to steal what would prove to be possibly the finest year of his already magnificent career. Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev will both see this as an opportunity that might not be matched again in this current era, although for totally different reasons, and who can deny based on current form Dimitrov and Kyrgios surely have a shot, at least of upsetting the predictions and hopes of many Federer and Nadal fans.

What does it say that the two active greats who spent the latter stages of 2016 out injured are the best two players on the men’s tour this year, sharing the majors? It seems the others have learned from that lesson, watched the two GOATs (surely) return in sublime form, and vanished in the hope of coming back in 2018 and doing something similar.

There’s no denying that the US Open is still fascinating and compelling viewing, but it’s hard not to acknowledge that as the event progresses there are some major absences. Wawrinka won the Flushing Meadows title 12 months ago, last year’s numbers one and two at this stage were the obvious picks and the other key absentees, well, they are nearly always top value entertainment as they often reach the latter stages of these events playing brilliant tennis.

So, only two and a half days into the 2017 US Open, two matches apart from all the other brilliant tennis have beaten the rain and caused just the spectacle the event would want. The much talked about Sharapova versus Halep match lived up to expectations and beyond (ensuring the US Open could vouch for including Sharapova in the event in the first place) and the Federer versus Tiafoe tie. Those new to Tiafoe take notice, he is also the future just like Sasha Zverev, only a little behind him and his progress. Tiafoe has arrived. He didn’t win the match, but he fought courageously, showed great Nadal-esque heart and will surely take confidence from pushing Federer so close. Tiafoe doesn’t turn 20 until January. He pushed an out of sorts Federer all the way. Despite the clay court break Roger took, it looked like he might not be in perfect fitness for the event, let alone the remaining months of pushing for the year end number one both he and Nadal would relish having for one last time. It really does seem that way. Tiafoe announced himself, for sure, Zverev is now the third best player in the world this year and the NextGen looks much more like being the ThisGen, and 2018 is more than likely to see them battling at the top with the greats who are reluctant to bow out of winning Slams.

It’s easy to think any of those injured players might, in good shape, have had a realistic crack at this title. But what is causing all these injuries? Yes, the ATP Top 100 shows that more than ever, physical and mental fortitude, experience, and an understanding of the tour are the reasons there are so many players in their thirties seeing some of their best years of tennis. The teams that are put together to support the players and every aspect of their health, lifestyle and fitness are increasingly important to the longevity of a player. Sampras retired in his early thirties and many players of the past didn’t even get that far. Federer, for example, just turned 36 and outlasted a 19-year old last night. That’s a case of experience over youth and a lack of five-set matches under his belt as Tiafoe surely takes a great deal from such an encounter. There are more injuries now though, as the tour - as tennis becomes more physical than ever - gets more grueling. The punishing schedule is not seen by the fans, as the preparation for each event and the minimal rest periods (if you want to play most events) take their toll. So, the body of a tennis player can perhaps play to later in the thirties than it could before, but it also cannot take the same punishing routine in those years as it can when it is younger. Murray is a fine example. Now thirty, his extraordinary run at the end of 2016 to get to the pinnacle of the sport seems to have been his undoing for this year. Perhaps he would still have suffered, but the intensity of his push to finally overtake Djokovic is the most obvious reason for his subsequent issues. Wawrinka too, with his erratic form, now well into his thirties, has seemingly paid a price for his grand slam success. These players are, for now, the face of tennis and we need them all back and competing. Whatever your stance on Novak Djokovic, he has played a part in history over the past decade and his near perfect tennis is missed now. More so than Murray, what he did was almost unbelievable to the point that it makes sense it could not last forever. It’s also difficult to see that he could ever return to such lofty heights, especially with the youngsters chomping at the bit. Finally, there is a group of players set to not just play the supporting cast but to dismiss the faces of the past decade or so to history, imminently. 2018 promises to provide one incredible spectacle as the young and the old do battle to see who will conquer and it’s not hard to imagine that injuries will play a part in that too.

Players need to learn to be more selective with their schedules, as Federer has been with missing the clay court season. I feel sure he would not want to entirely miss those events, but he decided based on his health and fitness and what he most wanted to win. If the tour remains as intense as it is as players age, they will also realize that to continue playing for more years, they must be selective and make sure they have enough rest periods that satisfy the body’s need to recover from the extreme exertions of the modern game. It's not unusual that players get injured, it’s inevitable at some point during a player’s career. The startling thing right now is how many top players are out of action, and until 2018, and how it has altered the face of men’s tennis in the second half of 2017, almost as if saying… Roger and Rafa, the stage is all yours. Of course, there are other players, but who would begrudge one of the GOATs winning Flushing Meadows again? Come on, that semi-final which could see them finally meet at this slam would somehow almost be a swansong for their rivalry (Too soon for that? Let’s see).

These guys are not invincible and it’s hardly shocking that occasionally they all break down and need a much-earned rest. What is odd is how so many have reached that point at the same time. Let’s enjoy the spectacle of the US Open and the number one battle that remains this year and hope the start of 2018 sees the full field in action, the return of the injured parties along with the greats and the new generation should make for a mind-blowing year ahead.