The final time we noticed Novak Djokovic play a accomplished match in the US, he ended it in tears. He had simply misplaced the 2021 US Open remaining, and his likelihood on the Grand Slam, to Daniil Medvedev. However that bitter second had its candy aspect: In his second of defeat, Djokovic obtained maybe essentially the most highly effective ovation of his profession from the gang in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
A lot has occurred to Djokovic, good and never so good, within the almost two years since. On the minus aspect, he was deported from Australia and briefly turned a worldwide pariah for his refusal to be vaccinated for Covid. On the plus aspect, he achieved his final profession purpose by passing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of their long-running Grand Slam title race.
Djokovic, not banned from the States due to his vaccine standing, made his return this previous weekend in Cincinnati. The reception was a bit completely different from the one he obtained in Australia final January. His observe classes right here attracted standing-room-only audiences. Followers packed each inch, and craned their necks round each nook, for an opportunity to see him work out.
Even for Djokovic, a 20-year tour veteran, this felt like a brand new vibe.
“I did expertise some tournaments all through the world, comparable atmospheres when it comes to the good attendance on the observe courts,” Djokovic stated. “However I assume, for some time, nothing of this depth when it comes to the presence and the participation of the gang, on the observe courtroom…The ambiance was nice. Individuals have been actually into it.”
To date the US, and his Western & Southern Open opponents, have been type to Djokovic. In his first match, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired with a again damage after one set. On Thursday, his highly-anticipated night time match with Gael Monfils fizzled when Monfils by no means discovered a rhythm, or his forehand, and went down rapidly and tamely, 6-3, 6-2. Djokovic hasn’t needed to do an entire lot to achieve the quarterfinals.
“I simply made him play,” he stated after bettering his document in opposition to Monfils to 19-0.
“I assume his recreation fits me properly,” he added in one of many well mannered understatements of the 12 months.
The vibe round Djokovic’s season has modified since his loss to Carlos Alcaraz within the Wimbledon remaining. His bid for the Grand Slam is over, and the air of big-match invincibility that he had constructed up in Melbourne and Paris has been punctured. He’s human once more, which suggests he’ll be topic to much less hype and pressure-until he builds up that invincible aura as soon as once more.
Djokovic has dominated at Wimbledon over the previous half decade, however he hasn’t had the identical success on the US Open. He retired with an damage in 2019, hit a lineswoman with a ball in 2020, was too gassed to beat Medvedev in 2021, and was banned from the U.S. final 12 months. He has gained 10 titles from 10 finals on the different hard-court main, in Melbourne, however simply three throughout 9 title matches at Flushing Meadows.
Possibly dropping in London this time will make him extra motivated to win in New York. A 24th main would put him two forward of Rafael Nadal, who says he’ll play his remaining season in 2024. Yet another may simply seal the boys’s Slam document for good for Djokovic. It’s laborious to think about Rafa profitable anyplace apart from Roland Garros subsequent 12 months.
“There’s nonetheless [a] hearth going,” says Djokovic, who will play Taylor Fritz on Friday night time. “There’s nonetheless that drive and motivation to actually come on the largest occasions in sport and attempt to win, attempt to win titles and attempt to deliver some good sensation to the crowds.” —Tennis.com