The 2024 US Open starts tomorrow and there is great anticipation for the last Grand Slam of the season. Novak Djokovic arrived in New York for a few days and had some practice sessions, interrupting the one against Holger Rune due to an unspecified physical problem.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion seems to be doing better now and wants to win his first Grand Slam in 2024, after the final lost to Carlos Alcaraz at the Wimbledon Championships. The former world number 1 must defend his title won last year, when he defeated Russian Daniil Medvedev in the final.

Novak has not played an official tournament since the Paris Olympics, where he finally won the gold medal in one of the most special achievements of his legendary career. The 37-year-old from Belgrade has completed the puzzle thanks to his triumph in Paris, but he has no intention of retiring and has stated that he is still very motivated to compete at high levels.

Djokovic has always had an extraordinary ability to find new motivation, despite winning everything in his long career. The rise of young champions like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has created problems for him, but Nole has continued to work hard to find new solutions on the tennis court.

Nole will make his US Open debut on Monday

Novak Djokovic will make his US Open debut on Monday in the night session against Moldovan veteran Radu Albot, who will play with nothing to lose.

Speaking with the official ATP website, Albot commented on facing the Serbian legend in New York: “My reaction upon learning that I would be playing against Novak was that it was a great opportunity to live a unique experience. I have never been on the same court as him. I played against Roger twice, trained with Rafa several times, but I had never shared a match or training with Djokovic.

I won’t regret anything. I look forward to the match; it’s a great challenge for me, a test of my capabilities. There’s great anticipation, I’ve received many messages of support, and I know the match will be broadcast worldwide. I step onto the court to win, but I understand perfectly the challenge of facing him. If I play great tennis, I’ll leave content.”

Radu also added: “I am aware that Djokovic is a tougher opponent than Federer, whom I faced twice. Having faced him, as well as other great players like Murray, can help me manage the emotions of a match like this. I am curious to see how the fact that it’s a best-of-five sets match will affect it. I must be mentally prepared to make necessary adjustments on the fly.”

Djokovic did not particularly shine in the Grand Slam tournaments this year. The Serbian ace lost to Sinner in the semifinals at the Australian Open earlier this year, retired before the quarterfinals at the French Open due to a knee injury and lost the final of Wimbledon to Alcaraz.

Nole is ready for the 2024 US Open after his win at the Paris Olympics: “I have had some very painful defeats at the Olympic Games and I have worked very hard to fight for the gold. At 37, I thought that perhaps this was my last chance. Maybe. So I had to give absolutely everything. It was a moment of which I am very proud. It was probably the most intense emotions I have felt on a tennis court. The way I achieved it makes it even more unique.”

An uncertain tournament

The US Open has been a very uncertain tournament for the last 10-15 years, as evidenced by recent tournament winners. Juan Martin del Potro won the title in 2009, Stan Wawrinka triumphed in 2016 and Daniil Medvedev prevented Djokovic from completing the Calendar Grand Slam in 2021.

In an interview with Eurosport, ATP legend John McEnroe reflected on the favorites in NY: “Alcaraz is my favourite player to watch right now. You know he brings everything. I like people that can do everything. It almost seems impossible that someone like him could stay so positive, always smiling. It’s hard to believe he wouldn’t get frustrated, especially in a sport as mentally tough as tennis.

I’m sure, in a way, he probably needed a longer break. But maybe he felt some pressure because Novak wasn’t playing, and at 37. In hindsight, he probably would have been better off not playing at all. Given everything that’s happened, emotionally, it’s going to be a big ask for him to win this tournament. How much does he have left in the tank? This might open the door for someone outside of the three guys we expect… the door is certainly open for a surprise.”