Novak Djokovic marched onto Arthur Ashe Stadium for his first tennis match as an Olympic champion with shiny, golden baggage hanging from every shoulder. It was yet one more reminder of simply how a lot Djokovic cherishes his immense achievement this summer season in Paris.
Nevertheless, tennis strikes on rapidly and even because the 24-time grand slam champion continues to rejoice his gold medal, one other large occasion has already begun. Djokovic opened his US Open title defence with a stable efficiency, defeating the qualifier Radu Albot 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 to succeed in the second spherical in New York. He has now gained extra matches on Ashe, 78, than some other 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 event of the 12 months. Not like with so lots of his different victories, the place he needed to rapidly collect himself for the following event, the 37-year-old endeavoured to correctly rejoice what he considers his biggest achievement.
After opting out of competing in Canada and Cincinnati, Djokovic hung round in Paris for days with a purpose to commemorate the achievement. He finally 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 way of the streets at night time, shaking palms and kissing cheeks by way of his automotive window.
The US Open marks the Djokovic’s first arduous 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 arduous court docket preparation, the second seed has a useful draw. Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev, the final three gamers within the event to defeat him at a grand slam, are all as far-off from him as attainable 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 towards the elite.
Regardless that he began the match struggling along with his first serve, Djokovic imposed himself from the start, rolling by way of his personal service video games placing fixed strain on Albot’s weak serve. Little by little, Djokovic floor his challenger down along with his relentless depth and consistency off each wings and he rolled to a cushty win.
“It’s all the time difficult to start out, significantly while you haven’t performed on this floor for 5, six months, and coming off an Olympic gold and enjoying on clay,” stated Djokovic. “I haven’t had any official matches earlier than the US Open. So I’m anticipating to be in all probability challenged somewhat bit extra within the opening rounds.
“Hopefully I can play higher every day. The benefit of slams is you’ve gotten a day between matches the place you possibly can prepare, the place you possibly can actually work on issues and ideal your sport. 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 throughout the match and, yeah, hold striving to be higher.”
Almost three months since present process surgical procedure on his knee, Djokovic moved extraordinarily properly. Regardless that he continues to put on a knee assist. “The knee is ok actually,” stated Djokovic. “I haven’t had any points all through the complete Olympic event and right here first spherical. Knock on wooden, it’s all good.”
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Djokovic will subsequent face his compatriot Laslo Djere, who defeated Jan Lennard Struff in 5 units on Monday. Whereas it is a easy 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 dealing with 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 actually likes enjoying on a giant stage.”
Having now basically accomplished tennis, successful 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.
“Folks would ask me: ‘Now that you’ve got principally gained every part 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 need to make extra historical past and revel in myself on the tour. I nonetheless hope to encourage many younger folks to observe tennis, play tennis.”