The record Grand Slam winner talks about the US Open before the start of the tournament and also comments on his personal situation – in no uncertain terms.
Given his advanced tennis age of 36, Novak Djokovic wants to approach every Grand Slam tournament as if it were his last. “I don’t know how many more Slams I’m going to have,” the Serb said at a press conference ahead of the US Open, which starts on Monday. “I’m going to keep going anyway. I don’t have an end in mind right now.”
But at his age, he said, “you have to be more appreciative, treat every Grand Slam as maybe the last one, in terms of commitment and performance.” That’s why he sees each of the four major tournaments as a “golden opportunity to make history.”
Djokovic has not won the US Open since 2018, and with “only” three victories, the hard-court highlight in New York is not statistically one of his favourite tournaments. At Grand Slam level, however, no one is more successful than the “Djoker” (23 titles).
Alcaraz: “Everything Djokovic does is incredible “
2020 he was disqualified at Flushing Meadows for hitting a ball away in frustration, which subsequently hit a lineswoman. In 2021 he lost to Daniil Medvedev in the final, and last year Djokovic was not allowed to enter the USA because he lacked a Corona vaccination.
In 2022, the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz triumphed, and Djokovic has a score to settle with the 20-year-old, at least since his defeat in the Wimbledon final. Alcaraz – especially as the world number one – is also an international star since his coup last summer. Which has certain side effects. “Some days I wish to be someone who is not recognised at all. But it will be impossible. I have to enjoy that part too,” Alcaraz said at his press conference.
Since his first Grand Slam triumph a year ago, he feels “more mature”, the Spaniard confessed – and did not spare compliments for Djokovic, who is 16 years older: “He is one of the greatest of all time in our sport, there is no doubt about that. Everything he does in the game is incredible. “
The paths of the two top seeded players at the US Open may not cross until the final on 10 September.