Serbia’s Novak Djokovic speaks to the media forward of the U.S. Open in New York.
| Picture Credit score: Getty Photos
Serbian famous person Novak Djokovic nonetheless feels the pull of tennis historical past as he goals to change into the primary man in 16 years to efficiently defend his US Open title.
Second-seeded Djokovic, driving the excessive of his Olympic triumph in Paris, is chasing a raft of data at Flushing Meadows, the place he opens his marketing campaign on Monday (August 26, 2024) evening towards Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot.
The 37-year-old can be a part of Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer because the oldest Open period winners of the championship, and with a twenty fifth Grand Slam title declare the outright file for many ever — a mark he presently shares with Australian nice Margaret Courtroom.
He would additionally change into the primary man to repeat in New York since Federer received 5 straight US Opens from 2004-2008.
“I didn’t learn about that,” Djokovic mentioned. “I knew it was most likely the case for 5, 10 years, however I didn’t understand it was that lengthy.
“Hopefully that modifications this 12 months. That’s the objective.”
A victory would see Djokovic lengthen his streak of years with at the very least one Grand Slam title to seven. From 2011-23 he was shut out on the majors simply as soon as, in 2017.
Up to now in 2024 the majors have gone to a brand new era. Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz is chasing a 3rd straight Grand Slam after triumphs at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Italian Jannik Sinner received the Australian Open on his method to supplanting Djokovic atop the world rankings.
With Federer retired and Rafael Nadal battling accidents, Djokovic mentioned his budding rivalries with the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner maintain him motivated.
“These sort of rivalries that I’ve with Jannik and Carlos are the sort of matchups that also deliver that pleasure of competitors to me and encourage me to essentially push myself to good the sport,” Djokovic mentioned.
“Individuals ask me ‘now that you’ve mainly received all the pieces with the golden medal, what else is there to win?’
“I nonetheless really feel the drive. I nonetheless have the aggressive spirit. I nonetheless wish to make extra historical past and luxuriate in myself on the tour.”
Djokovic known as the medal ceremony after his Paris Video games triumph “most likely essentially the most intense feelings I’ve ever had on a tennis court docket”.
“I believe the second of after I achieved it, how I achieved it, after years of making an attempt, the journey… makes it much more distinctive.”
Nonetheless, he doesn’t envision any let-down as he tries to shut out the season with yet one more Grand Slam title.
“Grand Slams are the pillars of our sport,” Djokovic mentioned. “They’re an important historic tennis occasions that we’ve got.
“So in the event you don’t get pumped and impressed to play your greatest tennis at Grand Slams, it’s arduous to do this wherever else.”
