World No.1 Novak Djokovic has proven to be the ultimate player to be beaten in the majors over the past 15 months.
Austria’s Dominic Thiem is the only player to have defeat Djokovic during the last five grand slam tournaments dating back to the 2018 Wimbledon Championships. Within that period the Serbian has improved his grand slam tally from 12 to 16. Placing him third on the all-time list behind rivals Rafael Nadal (18) and Roger Federer (20).
Djokovic will be chasing for his 17th major title next week at the US Open where he is the defending champion. He only entered one event before Flushing Meadows which was at the Cincinnati Masters. At the tournament, Djokovic reached the semi-finals before losing to Daniil Medvedev.
“I, personally, have enjoyed lots of success and have been blessed to play well on these courts here at the US Open, especially the Arthur Ashe Stadium,” Djokovic told reporters on Saturday in New York. “I have not lost too many matches in my career playing night session, and a lot of matches that I get to play in Arthur Ashe Stadium are night sessions. So, I really do enjoy that loud atmosphere that happens in there, which is quite the opposite of, for example, Wimbledon, except the last finals match.”
Besides adding to his trophy collection, there is another motivation for Djokovic to triumph at the US Open. That is to close in and one day break Federer’s all-time grand slam record. He is six years younger than his Swiss rival and is currently on the right trajectory to one day break the record. If his form holds up.
“I’m aware of it, of course. I mean, I’m part of this world. Of course I can’t completely switch off and eliminate what people are talking about. And it’s flattering, obviously,” he commented about the record.
“But at the same time, it’s still a very long way ahead of me. It does also put a certain level of responsibility to me as well, because I’m aiming to do that. You know, it’s definitely one of my ambitions and goals.
“Things are a little bit different than they were ten years ago, but I still feel young inside and outside. And I still am very motivated to keep going… especially now, more or less everything is about Grand Slams.”
Djokovic has won his four most recent meetings against Federer, including their clash in the final at Wimbledon. Against Nadal, who won the 2017 US Open title, he has won just two out of their five most recent meetings. However, all of those three losses occurred on the clay. Nadal’s strongest surface.
The Gimelstob fallout
Amid his preparations for the tournament, Djokovic faced more questions about former ATP player representative Justin Gimelstob. Who resigned from the board after being caught up in a high-profile assault case. Gimelstob pleaded no contest to the allegation. Meaning he doesn’t accept or deny the charges in exchange for a lighter sentence.
“He has taken the responsibility for his actions and what has happened that night,” Djokovic said. “So he went back to deal with this himself. Obviously there is a lot of work in his private life that needs addressing. And that’s all there is.
“You know, he’s not part of the ATP political system at the moment, and I think it’s for the best for all of us. What future holds for him and for us, we don’t know. But I’m still in touch with him. He’s going to try to handle this matter in the best possible way. I really wish him all the best.”
The 32-year-old has previously praised the work of the American, who is a former top 20 doubles player. However, Djokovic has been criticised by indicating that he would welcome Gimelstob’s return despite not reading the court files related to the case. Something he has now done.
“It’s unfortunate that that has happened. Because I think he was a great asset, as I was mentioning in Wimbledon and before, for the players.” He stated.
“But he has taken the responsibility. I have read what you wanted me to read in Wimbledon, and that’s all there is to it. I have no further comments for you.”
Djokovic will play Spain’s Roberto Carballés Baena in the first round of the US Open on Monday.
