THE fab four of men's tennis appear to be fragmenting as the final Grand Slam of the tennis year comes into view.
Novak Djokovic comes into the US Open at Flushing Meadows this fortnight complaining dramatically of a wrist problem which is "more or less the same injury" that laid Juan Martin del Potro low for the best part of two years. Rafa Nadal has just returned from a similar malady, one which saw him withdraw in tears ahead of the third round of the French Open and opt out of Wimbledon.
The evergreen Roger Federer is under the weather too, back in Switzerland resting up a back problem which will keep him grounded until the New Year. Surely, in the most imperious form of his career, feeling fit and healthy some three years on from his own back surgery, this must be Andy Murray's time to shine?
Read more: Smith marvels at Murray's motivation as major quest resumes
The Scot, whose 22-match winning run came to an end in the Cincinnati Masters final to Marin Cilic, has certainly done everything he can to put himself in position.
In addition to majestically retaining his Olympic crown in Rio de Janeiro, he has reached all three major finals so far this season, winning Wimbledon and generally laying the groundwork for a charge at the Serb's No 1 spot which seemed unthinkable at the turn of the year. The Scot's army of followers are dreaming of a repeat of 2012, when Olympic triumph provided the springboard for his first major title.
But if the bookmakers are hedging their bets and sticking with Djokovic as favourite to retain his trophy from last year, perhaps that is because they have seen it all before. The Serb has serious on-court form for throwing his opponents off track by appearing at death's door only to appear re-energised a matter of seconds later.
Read more: US Open title isn’t the only prize in reach for Andy Murray
Talking up the severity of the injury certainly takes pressure off his shoulders and throws it onto those of his Scottish adversary. Which of this pair, born just a week apart in May 1987, proves more mentally and physically robust should they contest a repeat of their 2012 final, and an eighth major final in all between the pair, here in a fortnight's time should be fascinating to watch.
John McEnroe reckons 'only the Serb will know' how bad the joint is, but cautions against the assumption that things suddenly seem set fair for a long overdue period of Scottish dominance. 
In the grand scheme of things, the 57-year-old, who is cutting his coaching ties with Milos Raonic for the US Open and the foreseeable future, feels Murray has still got "a ways to go to even get close" to Federer, Nadal and Djokovic - three men who have combined for 43 major titles. The Scot has two Olympic golds and three Grand Slams although he is far from done yet. He faces Lukas Rosol in the first round on Tuesday, a day after Djokovic takes on Jerzy Janowicz.
"Novak is the most obvious obstacle," says McEnroe, who will work at the event for broadcasters ESPN. "He's been playing at a level the last couple years that Murray hasn't been able to attain. That's frustrated him. Things have changed the last couple months, with the shock that Novak lost early at Wimbledon.
"Murray is playing the best tennis of his life," he added. "He seems to have everything in order. He wants to get closer to being talked about in the same breath as these three guys that are three of the five greatest players that ever lived. He has been meticulous. He's done a great job. But he's still got a ways to go to even get close to those guys."
"I think Murray has an opportunity, but he's never going to get to the level, in my opinion, of those other players," agrees John's brother Patrick. "This doesn't mean he's not a great player. He is a great player. He's got three majors, two Olympic gold medals. I think he's got the opportunity to win a couple more majors. But I don't think he has the type of game that can dominate week in, week out for a long period of time the way that those other three guys were able to do. He just doesn't hit the ball as clean, as early."
As for the status of that Djokovic wrist - apparently injured in practice in Rio shortly before his first round defeat to a resurgent Del Potro who will be equally dangerous as a wild card at Flushing Meadows - McEnroe's guess is as good as anyone's. "If he's throwing del Potro in there, then Del Potro has had a nightmare the last three years," said John McEnroe. "It's been an absolute horror for him. He has barely been on the court. Or maybe he's playing rope-a-dope and it's not that bad. Maybe it's going to get better and he's going to play at the level he did at the French Open and Australia and beat everyone again. Only he knows. But all of a sudden it makes wheels start turning for a lot of other players that may think they have a better shot."
The novelty factor in Queens this year is not restricted to the disarray amongst most of the usual suspects. A roof is in place above the giant Arthur Ashe arena, which will regulate play for the beleaguered schedulers who usually have to contend with at least one tropical storm at this time of year, but also alter on-court conditions quite markedly. The trademark windy conditions - such as the hoolie which blew up on the night the Scot won here in 2012 - are a thing of the past, while daytime matches will have to contend with the shadow of the structure reflected on court. With patches of light and shade to contend with, not to mention injuries and intrigue, Murray will have to keep his wits about him if he is to be last man standing in New York this fortnight.
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