Novak Djokovic takes first step towards historic title with clinical win at US Open | US Open Tennis 2024

Novak Djokovic marched onto Arthur Ashe Stadium for his first tennis match as an Olympic champion with shiny, golden luggage hanging from every shoulder. It was one more reminder of simply how a lot Djokovic cherishes his immense achievement this summer season in Paris.

Nonetheless, tennis strikes on shortly and even because the 24-time grand slam champion continues to have a good time his gold medal, one other large occasion has already begun. Djokovic opened his US Open title defence with a strong efficiency, defeating the qualifier Radu Albot 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 to succeed in the second spherical in New York. He has now received extra matches on Ashe, 78, than another man in historical past.

Within the aftermath of his victory in Paris, Djokovic took his time earlier than shifting his focus to the ultimate grand slam match of the 12 months. Not like with so a lot of his different victories, the place he needed to shortly collect himself for the following match, the 37-year-old endeavoured to correctly have a good time what he considers his best achievement.

After opting out of competing in Canada and Cincinnati, Djokovic hung round in Paris for days so as to commemorate the achievement. He ultimately flew to Belgrade the place he and the opposite Serbian medallists have been greeted by tens of 1000’s of supporters. Throughout his time within the Serbia capital, he rode by means of the streets at night time, shaking fingers and kissing cheeks by means of his automobile window.

The US Open marks the Djokovic’s first laborious court docket occasion since March and it’s simply the fourth occasion he has contested on his favorite floor all 12 months. As he tries to seek out his rhythm on the floor with none laborious court docket preparation, the second seed has a useful draw. Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev, the final three gamers within the match to defeat him at a grand slam, are all as far-off from him as potential within the prime half.

On Monday, his first problem was Albot, a 34-year-old Moldovan qualifier who has spent most of his profession ranked between No 50 and 150. Whereas Albot is a constant and tenacious participant, at simply 5 ft 9 (1.75m) he’s underpowered in opposition to the elite.

Though he began the match struggling together with his first serve, Djokovic imposed himself from the start, rolling by means of his personal service video games placing fixed strain on Albot’s weak serve. Little by little, Djokovic floor his challenger down together with his relentless depth and consistency off each wings and he rolled to a snug win.

“It’s all the time difficult to begin, notably while you haven’t performed on this floor for 5, six months, and coming off an Olympic gold and taking part in on clay,” stated Djokovic. “I haven’t had any official matches earlier than the US Open. So I’m anticipating to be most likely challenged a bit of bit extra within the opening rounds.

“Hopefully I can play higher every day. The advantage of slams is you will have a day between matches the place you may practice, the place you may actually work on issues and excellent your recreation. That’s what I really feel like I want.

“So I’m going to hit the observe courts tomorrow and work on issues that haven’t actually labored through the match and, yeah, maintain striving to be higher.”

Almost three months since present process surgical procedure on his knee, Djokovic moved extraordinarily effectively. Though he continues to put on a knee assist. “The knee is ok actually,” stated Djokovic. “I haven’t had any points all through your complete Olympic match and right here first spherical. Knock on wooden, it’s all good.”

Djokovic will subsequent face his compatriot Laslo Djere, who defeated Jan Lennard Struff in 5 units on Monday. Whereas this can be a simple matchup on paper, Djere performed brilliantly to steer Djokovic by two units final 12 months on the US Open earlier than the elder Serb recovered to win in 5 units.

“It’s nice for Serbian tennis, clearly, that two Serbian gamers are going through one another,” stated Djokovic. “It’s a assured third spherical for one of many Serbian guys. Hopefully it’s going to be me, however Djere is a man that basically likes taking part in on a giant stage.”

Having now basically accomplished tennis, profitable each single main honour on supply to a tennis participant, it stays to be seen how Djokovic will proceed to inspire himself with no one or nothing to chase. As he begins his pursuit of a report twenty fifth grand slam title, although, Djokovic insists that nothing has modified.

“Individuals would ask me: ‘Now that you’ve principally received all the things with the golden medal, what else is there to win?’ I nonetheless really feel the drive, I nonetheless have the aggressive spirit,” stated Djokovic. “I nonetheless wish to make extra historical past and luxuriate in myself on the tour. I nonetheless hope to encourage many younger individuals to look at tennis, play tennis.”