There are few things more dangerous in the tennis world than Novak Djokovic with a point to prove and that’s just what awaits his rivals at this year’s US Open.
Suffering defeat in the 2023 Wimbledon final was a tough result to take for the 23-time Grand Slam champion but Djokovic has a chance to add to his astonishing title tally at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic Defying The Years
Having turned 36 this year, Djokovic continues to be the man to beat heading into nearly every Grand Slam event on the calendar. The Serbian star was on course for a clean sweep of the Grand Slam titles after winning both the Australian Open and French Open. However, Djokovic was to fall short after losing in the final at Wimbledon and is +160 in the tennis odds to win the title at SW19 next year. The veteran will be looking for a response at Flushing Meadows and is the +110 favorite in the Men’s US Open 2023 odds to be crowned champion in New York City. Despite his success and longevity in the sport, Djokovic still seems to have the same hunger for titles as he did at the start of his professional career.
A clean sweep of the Grand Slam titles in a calendar year has so far been elusive to the man from Belgrade. The 2021 season saw Djokovic go close to taking all four major titles after he managed to come out on top in the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon. However, he was to fall agonizingly short at the US Open as he reached the final at Flushing Meadows before a 6-6, 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. It seems like Djokovic still has some unfinished business with this particular Grand Slam event in the Big Apple before he calls time on his outstanding playing career.
Djokovic Must Handle The Heat
One thing that does seem to set the US Open apart from the other major events is the heat and humidity at the back end of a long season. Temperatures can certainly be high at the Australian Open in Melbourne but at least the players have had some rest over the short off-season before heading Down Under. After traveling across the planet since January, heading to New York at the end of August to play in hot and humid conditions is a big ask of players.
There’s extra onus on the veteran Djokovic, who due to his own success, finds himself usually competing at the back end of tournaments throughout the year. More matches means a build-up of fatigue and perhaps that has contributed to the fact he has managed three US Open titles in his career, compared to the 10 he’s won at the Australian Open over the years. Motivation though is never a concern for Djokovic, who will be eager to pull further away from rival Rafael Nadal in the Grand Slam title standings.
Djokovic has responded well to setbacks in the past and his rivals will be fully aware of how dangerous the maestro can be when he feels he has a point to prove.
