Novak Djokovic has launched his bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title with a commanding win over Radu Albot in the first round of the US Open. Djokovic, who is currently tied with Margaret Court on 24 major singles titles, is aiming to claim the top spot in tennis history.
Djokovic’s Record-Breaking Pursuit
The 37-year-old Serbian star secured a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Albot, showcasing his dominance on the court.
Despite this comfortable win, Djokovic had to contend with several challenges, including the humid conditions and some erratic serving.
He committed 10 double faults and 40 unforced errors, and struggled with his first serve, landing only 47% in play.
Djokovic’s win marks his first match since securing Olympic gold 23 days ago.
The Serbian player expressed that his triumph in Paris was his “biggest sporting achievement” but acknowledged the need to secure a Grand Slam title this year to maintain his streak of winning at least one major every year since 2017.
Djokovic is on the verge of setting a new record for the most Grand Slam singles titles. With 24 titles already to his name, a 25th would give him sole ownership of the record.
This pursuit adds significant weight to each of his matches at the US Open as he inches closer to this historic milestone.
Djokovic’s Challenges and Performance
The 2024 US Open, the 144th edition of tennis’ US Open, is the year’s final Grand Slam. It takes place on outdoor hard courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.
The tournament starts with preliminary rounds from August 19 to 22, and the main event runs from August 26 to September 8.
Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff are the defending champions in the men’s and women’s singles, respectively.
Although Djokovic won in straight sets, his performance had areas needing improvement.
He struggled with his serve and made several unforced errors, highlighting that even top players face hurdles.
The humid conditions and his knee support, which he’s used since his surgery in June, added to the complexities of his performance.
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