McEnroe: U.S. Open ripe for surprises

The U.S. Open men’s field became even more depleted Wednesday with the injury withdrawal of Milos Raonic, but that makes the fortnight more intriguing, according to tennis maven John McEnroe.

Defending Open champion Stan Wawrinka (knee), Novak Djokovic (elbow) and 2015 Open finalist Kei Nishikori (wrist) are out for the year. Andy Murray (hip) has missed the Open tuneups with a hip ailment, but supposedly will make an attempt to play at Flushing Meadows, when the Open begins Monday.

It’s setting up for the grand possibility Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who was announced Thursday as the No. 1 seed, finally will clash at the Open after all these years. And maybe a few other surprises.

“That situation with the men gives the opportunity to do something historic,’’ McEnroe told The Post after holding tryouts in Harlem for his SPORTIME scholarship program.

Andy Murray is seeded second, with Federer third. On the women’s side, Karolina Pliskova is the top seed for the first time in any Grand Slam tournament.

McEnroe said this Open also will present the maligned American men’s contingent — whether Sam Querrey (seeded 17), Jack Sock (13), John Isner (10) or even youngster Frances Tiafoe — with a puncher’s chance. The last American to win the Open — or any Grand Slam event — was Andy Roddick in 2003.

“The Americans of course are struggling … and now there’s more opportunity to win this,’’ McEnroe said.