Novak Djokovic sounded confident ahead of his title defense at the 2024 US Open. He also dismissed any worries about injuries after reports surfaced that he had cut short his pre-tournament practice sessions with Holger Rune earlier than intended.

Djokovic will be entering the New York Slam on the back of winning the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. After winning the gold medal, the Serb opted out of two ATP Masters 1000 hard court tournaments – the 2024 Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open – to focus solely on the US Open. Djokovic will look to claim his fifth New York Slam and a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title this year.

Recently, while speaking to the Serbian press ahead of his campaign at Flushing Meadows, Novak Djokovic expressed that when major events like Grand Slams roll around, he shifts into a different mental state, transforming into a fiercer competitor.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who will face qualifier Radu Albot in the first round, stated that he is hoping that his opening match is a successful one as it sets the tone for the tournament.

“I know that, when a tournament this big starts, I have a mode inside me that is different – when the ball starts rolling, when it starts, I am just a different competitor. I hope that the first match will go well, that’s always desirable, and then we’ll take it from there,” he said [as quoted by Tennis Majors].

The 37-year-old also quelled any injury concerns and said that everything was fine with him and that he has trained with Stan Wawrinka both on the outside courts and on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“On Friday I practiced for an hour on the outside courts, and then I had some issues, so I didn’t practice any further at Arthur Ashe. Today (on Saturday), it wasn’t much of an issue, so I practiced with Wawrinka both on the outside court and on Ashe, where we get an hour per day. So far, everything is fine, it’s nothing serious in the wider context,” he added.

Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev to win US Open 2023

Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev to win the 2023 US Open. He was seeded second in the tournament and began his campaign by defeating Alexandre Muller 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round before overcoming Bernabe Zapata Miralles at 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 in the second.

The Serb then triumphed over compatriot Laslo Djere 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 and qualifier Borna Gojo 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 in the third and fourth rounds respectively.

In the quarterfinals, the former World No.1 registered a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over Taylor Fritz and secured his place in the final by defeating Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(4) in the semifinals.

In the championship match, Novak Djokovic defeated third seed Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 to claim his fourth US Open title and his 24th Grand Slam title overall.