Novak Djokovic, in a conversation with Eurosport before his US Open debut, expressed his hope to never fully recover from the exhilarating experience of winning Olympic gold, a title that had long eluded him. The Serbian player, seeded No. 2 at the final Grand Slam of the season, decided to skip the American hard-court events following his Olympic victory to allow himself time to recuperate from a demanding summer.
Djokovic’s first match at Arthur Ashe Stadium will be against Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot as he aims to defend his US Open title. Reflecting on his Olympic success, Djokovic shared, “I hope to never recover from that [Olympic triumph], because it’s the best set of feelings that I ever had as an athlete.” He expressed his intention to harness the confidence gained from the Olympics to propel him through the forthcoming challenges in New York.
Despite his Olympic accomplishment, Djokovic has faced a relatively lean year, with his most recent Grand Slam victory occurring at Flushing Meadows in the previous season. In 2024, rising stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have dominated the major tournaments, making them strong contenders alongside Djokovic at the US Open, a tournament he has clinched four times in the past.
While Sinner claimed victory at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 tournament, Djokovic opted to rest and prepare for the US Open without participating in lead-up events or facing his key rivals since his triumph over Alcaraz at the Olympics. Djokovic acknowledged the limited time for recovery and training, stating, “I tried to get the most out of the few weeks that I had.” He admitted that his decision to forgo pre-US Open competitions was deliberate due to a congested schedule following the Olympics.
As the men’s US Open draw appears wide open, with several top players struggling with injuries and inconsistent form, renowned tennis analyst John McEnroe hinted at the unpredictability of the upcoming tournament. Alcaraz, who exited early in Cincinnati after a defeat to Gael Monfils, further raised concerns after sustaining an ankle injury during practice in New York.
In conclusion, Djokovic’s quest for his 25th Grand Slam title at the US Open is met with both anticipation and uncertainty, as he navigates the challenges of a disrupted season amid a competitive field of emerging talents and seasoned contenders.