Novak Djokovic is relishing his return to the US Open tonight – and renewing his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz. The Serbian superstar’s last match in the Arthur Ashe Stadium ended in tears when he lost the 2021 final – and his chance to complete a calendar Grand Slam – to Daniil Medvedev.
Djokovic’s 2020 US Open had ended in disqualification for hitting a line judge with a ball. But the belated appreciation of the tough New York crowd two years ago saw Djokovic sobbing into his towel before the end of his heartbreaking defeat.
“I fell in love with the New Yorkers and New York in a completely different way that day,” he said.
His refusal to get a Covid-19 vaccine saw him banned from entering the USA last summer and he needed time off after his five-set Wimbledon final defeat to Alcaraz. But Djokovic’s return to the court and the USA saw him gain some revenge by winning a remarkable final against the Spaniard at the Cincinnati Masters.
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Alcaraz remains at world No.1 by only 20 points and the top two seeds remain on collision course for a fourth meeting of the year on September 10.
The new Wimbledon champion is aiming to retain his title and win a third Grand Slam at the age of 20. Djokovic, 36, is again seeking to win his 24th Major title and equal the record of Margaret Court.
“He’s always pushing me to the limit,” said three-time US Open champion Djokovic. “I think I do to him pretty much the same thing.
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And before facing Frenchman Alexandre Muller in the night session in front of 23,000 fans, the world No.2 said: “I’m very excited that I’ll be able to play the opening night on Monday. Come back in front of probably the loudest fans in sport, tennis fans in sport.
“There was no anger last year. During the Open, I felt it’s a pity that I’m not there. I felt sad for not being able to participate. But this year is this year. I don’t think about what happened in the last year or the last couple of years. Just focusing my attention on this year’s tournament.”
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