No sport takes its toll on a professional athlete quite like tennis.
Even the very best are susceptible to pretty stunning – and sudden – career collapses.
That’s what we’re seeing with Novak Djokovic just now.
Twelve months ago when he was winning yet another major in Paris and completing his career grand slam, the idea of him “tanking” a set 6-0 in the words of John McEnroe, was unthinkable.
This was a guy who was relentless on the court and was near enough unbeatable.
So for him to be in the sort of place where people are talking about career breaks and even possible retirement shows how brutal tennis is.
I’ve been lucky enough to be good at a sport that I could grow up playing as a junior at the same time as having a normal life.
The top tennis players have almost all been away at academies since they were in their early teens.
Add into the mix the physical and mental strain of an 11-month professional season and you can see why burnout happens.
I think it’s unlikely that Djokovic will take some time out now. Surely he’ll want to refocus for Wimbledon.
But you can definitely see him deciding to make his off-season longer than usual after the US Open.
It won’t just be a case of automatically getting his mojo back after a break, though.
It’s not easy to keep hold of the drive and love for your sport when you get to the very top. But to get it back when you’ve lost it will be even harder.
* Djokovic’s French Open experience makes Andy Murray’s seem all the more impressive.
Murray’s game was in a much worse place coming into the tournament and there were the same question marks over his hunger.
It really starts to get difficult from here, though.
I saw first-hand a couple of years ago at Roland Garros how impressive Stan Wawrinka was when he won this event and I’ve picked him to do it again this year. I also said it might be an outsider, so if Dominic Thiem wins then I’m claiming that too!
* Credit to Phil Mickelson for putting his family first and saying he won’t be able to compete in the US Open.
He’s going to his daughter’s high school graduation and, after seeing the Mickelson family at Scottish Opens over the years, you can see that he’s a guy who has his priorities right.
I’m just glad I’ve never had a choice between a big family occasion and an important tournament. Long may that continue!
* I’ve got to give a special mention to my friend Kelsey MacDonald who qualified for the US Open this week.
And she got a hole in one on her final round to help her do it.
Kelsey had problems with illness at the end of last season but her form is definitely on the up.
We’ve been friends for a few years but we’ve hardly ever actually played golf together.
She’s coming down with me to Celtic Manor for the Celebrity Cup at the end of the month so hopefully I don’t ruin her game before the US Open a couple of weeks after!
