Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic is poised to make history at the US Open, aiming to become the first man in 16 years to successfully defend his title while chasing multiple records.
Serbian tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is eyeing a historic feat at the US Open as he strives to become the first man in 16 years to successfully defend his title. The second-seeded Djokovic, buoyed by his Olympic triumph in Paris, will kick off his campaign on Monday night against Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot.
At 37, Djokovic is on the cusp of joining the ranks of tennis greats like Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, and Roger Federer as one of the oldest winners of the US Open. With a victory, he could also claim the outright record for the most Grand Slam titles, surpassing the current shared record of 24 titles with Australian icon Margaret Court.
Djokovic’s potential win would mark the first time since Federer’s five consecutive US Open victories from 2004-2008 that a man has repeated as champion in New York. Reflecting on this potential achievement, Djokovic said, "I didn't know it had been that long. Hopefully, that changes this year. That’s the goal."
Securing the US Open title would extend Djokovic’s streak of years with at least one Grand Slam win to seven, having been shut out of the majors only once between 2011 and 2023.
This year has seen new stars emerge, with Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz looking to secure a third consecutive Grand Slam following wins at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and Italy’s Jannik Sinner claiming the Australian Open and ascending to the top of the world rankings. With Federer retired and Rafael Nadal battling injuries, Djokovic finds motivation in his rivalries with Alcaraz and Sinner.
"These rivalries with Jannik and Carlos bring joy to the competition and inspire me to perfect my game," Djokovic said. Despite having achieved nearly everything, including an Olympic gold medal, he remains driven and passionate about adding more to his legacy.
Reflecting on his Olympic triumph, Djokovic described the medal ceremony as "probably the most intense emotions I have ever had on a tennis court." He added, "The moment I achieved it, how I achieved it, and the journey make it even more unique."
As he sets his sights on another Grand Slam title to close out the season, Djokovic emphasizes the importance of the sport’s pillars: "Grand Slams are the most important historical tennis events. If you’re not inspired to play your best tennis here, it’s hard to do so anywhere else."
