Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal admitted this year's US Open won't be the same without Roger Federer, who skipped the remainder of the season due to knee injury.
With Federer out of competition, the 2016 US Open is for the likes of Nadal to take advantage of. Coming off a brilliant showing at the Olympic Games and Cincinnati Masters, the King of Clay has a better shot of capping off his season on a high note if he could win a third US Open title.
But while the Swiss Maestro's absence gives players better chances of winning the final Grand Slam event of the year, Nadal admitted it is "tough to see" Federer sidelined from competition.
"Roger today is having the same injury issues, so I wish him a fast recovery," Nadal said after beating Denis Istomin to make the second round.
"It is very tough to see the players outside of the tour. The fans miss the players, the tour needs the players."
Likewise, Djokovic could also gain from Federer not competing in New York. Djokovic defeated former six-time champion Federer in last year's edition of the US Open, and the latter's leave from competition may help boost the Serb in defending his crown. But like Nadal, Djokovic also sympathize for the 35-year-old Swiss, insisting that tournaments aren't the same without Federer.
"It's not the same when you don't have Roger for the tournament, for the fans. He's been one of the most popular players of all time, one of the most successful players of all time," Djokovic said after defeating Jerzy Janowicz on Monday, reports First Post.
After re-injuring his surgically-repaired knee at Wimbledon, Federer decided to skip the remainder of the season, missing the chance to compete at Wimbledon and the 2016 Rio Olympics.
"I never thought I'd have a year like this. I've learned a lot from this year," Federer said, reports the BBC. "It's painful being here in New York, and it was painful during the Olympics because I love competing. But you can't have it all."
"It was a tough decision to say the least - going out of Rio, the US Open, the [season-ending] World Tour Finals. But in some ways it ended up being a simple decision. Health is my number one thing."
Federer is set to return next year, aiming for an official comeback at the Australian Open.