Novak Djokovic is back in the United States, back in New York — and back at the US Open 2023 for the first time in two years. Unable to compete at Flushing Meadows in 2022 because he was not allowed to fly to the country as a foreign citizen who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, the 23-time Grand Slam champion will be back in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday as play begins in the season’s final major tournament.
He was asked Friday whether he harbored some resentment over the way things happened; Djokovic sat out tournaments in California and Florida in addition to the US Open 2023 because of a federal rule related to the pandemic that was lifted in May. “No, there was no anger. It was last year during the Open that I felt it’s a pity that I’m not there. I felt sad for not being able to participate,” Djokovic said with a shrug of his shoulders, draped in a gray hoodie. “But this year, I mean, is this year. I don’t think about what happened in the last year or last couple of years. Just focusing my attention to this year’s tournament.”
The last match the 36-year-old from Serbia played in Ashe was the 2021 US Open final, a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 loss to Daniil Medvedev. Not only did that drop Djokovic’s record in title matches at Flushing Meadows to 3-6 but, of more significance, it left him one victory shy of completing the first calendar-year Grand Slam in men’s tennis since Rod Laver’s in 1969.
Djokovic wept at the end of that match, something he attributed that day to a mix of relief at his pursuit of the milestone no longer hanging over him and of appreciation for the way the thousands of spectators saluted his effort.
“What I felt from the crowd — that kind of connection and love and support that they gave me throughout the entire match, and also in the closing ceremony — was something that I carry still in my heart,” he said Friday. “I still feel vibes from that night of the finals, two years ago. I’ll try to use that for this year’s tournament.”
While that bit of history went by the wayside, Djokovic is still winning and chasing more achievements. He already has won more major singles championships than any other man in tennis history, one more than Rafael Nadal and three more than Roger Federer. But that’s not to say he wouldn’t love to get No. 24, which would put him one ahead of Serena Williams for the most in the Open era.
The reflexes are on point..kind of. _ pic.twitter.com/cBgmzVsc0i
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2023
Here are all the details about Novak Djokovic Vs Alexandre Muller US Open 2023 first round match…
The Novak Djokovic Vs Alexandre Muller US Open 2023 first round match will take place on Monday night (Tuesday morning IST), August 28.
The Novak Djokovic Vs Alexandre Muller US Open 2023 first round match will begin at around 5.45am IST on Tuesday.
The Novak Djokovic Vs Alexandre Muller US Open 2023 first round match will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York.
The Novak Djokovic Vs Alexandre Muller US Open 2023 first round match will be LIVE on Sony Sports Network channels in India.
The Novak Djokovic Vs Alexandre Muller US Open 2023 first round match will be available for livestreaming on SonyLIV website and app.
(with PTI inputs)
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