Novak Djokovic is prepared for the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season, through which he hopes to put in writing one other web page of tennis historical past. The previous world no 1 had not performed a superb season earlier than the Paris Olympics, the place he shocked the entire world by profitable the gold medal and realizing his final nice dream.
Novak didn’t compete within the Montreal and Cincinnati Masters 1000 and has not performed an official event on the exhausting court docket for the reason that Indian Wells Masters 1000, the place he was defeated by the Italian Luca Nardi. The 24-time Grand Slam champion had made his followers frightened in current days, when he interrupted his follow session with Holger Rune because of an unspecified bodily downside (maybe in his again). The 37-year-old from Belgrade didn’t point out accidents throughout his pre-tournament press convention and reiterated his ambitions. Regardless of not having achieved a lot in 2024, Nole continues to be quantity 2 within the ATP rating.
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Serbian legend will attempt to defend final 12 months’s title in New York, a feat that has not been achieved since 2008 (when Roger Federer received his fifth title at Flushing Meadows). Djokovic has no simple path in New York and must categorical a terrific tennis to get far on this event.
Djokovic is prepared
Novak Djokovic has not but received a Grand Slam title this 12 months and has reached just one remaining, on the Wimbledon Championships, misplaced to Carlitos Alcaraz.
In an extended interview with ‘We Love Tennis’, ATP legend Mats Wilander opened up on Nole’s probabilities on the 2024 US Open: “I used to be very stunned that he was in a position to win the Olympics with the strain. It was his final Olympics and he managed to do it on what is probably the floor he likes the least. However he isn’t completed, and I already stated it at Wimbledon, I believe he’ll win one, two and even three extra Grand Slams. And that may give him the power to maintain preventing as a result of he likes the problem that the younger gamers give him.”
The previous world no 1 will make his debut on Monday evening in opposition to Moldovan veteran Radu Albot, a straightforward debut in idea that must be helpful for him to get good emotions. Through the press convention, the 24-time Grand Slam champion mirrored on his motivations: “The rivalries I’ve with Jannik and Carlos, in addition to with Zverev, Medvedev, or Tsitsipas, are the matchups that convey pleasure to the competitors for me, that encourage me to enhance my recreation.
The age distinction is huge, however it would not have an effect on me an excessive amount of. I be ok with myself, my recreation, the place I’m, and what I’ve achieved lately. I’ve to be extra selective in my schedule, particularly in Grand Slams and representing my nation. That is what motivates me probably the most.
I additionally produce other issues that encourage me off the court docket. I like being a part of tennis historical past and the PTPA. I really feel that I even have obligations as somebody with a reputation and standing within the sport, somebody that younger folks look as much as alongside Federer and Nadal. I all the time attempt to stability issues, contribute in a constructive means whereas I am nonetheless right here.”
Nole on Sinner’s doping case
Djokovic additionally commented on Jannik Sinner’s doping case: “I perceive the frustration of the gamers is there due to a scarcity of consistency. As I understood, his case was cleared the second principally it was introduced. However I believe 5 – 6 months had handed for the reason that information of the constructive exams was dropped at him and his workforce.
So, yeah, there may be a variety of points within the system. We see a scarcity of standardised and clear protocols. I can perceive the emotions of a variety of gamers which are questioning whether or not they’re handled the identical. Hopefully the governing our bodies of our sport will be capable of be taught from this case and have a greater strategy for the longer term. I believe collectively there must be a change.”
He continued: “Now the query is whether or not it’s a case of the funds, whether or not a participant can afford to pay a major sum of money for a regulation agency that may then extra effectively characterize his or her case. I do not know. Is {that a} case or not? That is one thing actually I really feel like we’ve got to collectively examine extra, to look into the system and perceive how these instances do not occur, which means not the case itself, however how we are able to standardise every little thing so that each participant, no matter his rating or standing or profile, is ready to get the identical form of therapy.”
