#Novak Djokovic the favorite to capture ‘unusual’ US Open

Djokovic resigned as president of the ATP player council in order to form a new men’s association he hopes will have longer pull.

On Saturday, despite a stiff neck, he captured the U.S. Open tuneup — the Western & Southern Open that was moved to Flushing to form a tighter bubble — over red-hot Milos Raonic.

Oh, and unlike every other men’s player in the draw, he’s renting his own private house — in New Jersey. It’s with the USTA’s blessing as long as he pays for 24-hour security (about $60,000) to enforce bubble restrictions.

With his opening match Monday night against Damir Dzumhur, Djokovic comes in unbeaten in 2020 at 23-0 and an overwhelming favorite.

Banned from entering Manhattan, Djokovic may have time to write Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal a “Wish You Were Here’’ postcard.

“I always love playing in New York,’’ said Djokovic, who has won the Open three times. “I think I’m not the only one who shares the opinion this is probably the most exciting, energetic, dynamic, explosive tennis court that we have in the sport with the fans and 22,000 people that fit in on that court. So I really am grateful that I got to experience so many times in my career the wonderful feelings on that court. It is strange to see empty stands.

“The circumstances are very unusual. But we have to accept that, we have to deal with it and try to embrace it.”

Djokovic survived two three-setters in the tuneup, including a triumph over another surging player in Roberto Bautista Agut.

Another Open title would give the 33-year-old Djokvoic 18 Grand Slam titles — two behind Roger Federer, one behind Rafael Nadal. It’s a good bet Djokovic is going to leave the sport in the lead.

The Serbian spoke for several minutes about his ATP resignation on Sunday, but summed it up this way: “We want to have our own organization and association that is 100 percent ours.’’

As for an American male standing in Djokovic’s way, it’s unlikely, though Reilly Opelka and Taylor Fritz have potential down the road. The state of U.S. men’s tennis still is stagnating. Fifteen of the top 16 men are European.

“I shake my head when I think Andy Roddick last won [the Open] 17 years ago,’’ ESPN’s Pam Shriver said.

For safety, the Open will only have a chair umpire and the lines are being called by “Hawkeye Live.’’ World Team Tennis CEO Carlos Silva used it in July and believes it’s more accurate than human line judges.