Novak Djokovic has embarked on his quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title with a commanding victory over Radu Albot in the opening round of the US Open. The Serbian tennis icon, currently tied with Margaret Court for the most major singles titles in history at 24, is determined to etch his name further into the annals of tennis greatness.
In his first competitive match since clinching Olympic gold in Paris just 23 days ago, Djokovic secured a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win over the Moldovan Albot. Reflecting on his recent accomplishments, Djokovic described his Olympic triumph as his “greatest sporting achievement.” Yet, despite his decorated season, the 37-year-old has yet to claim a Grand Slam title in 2024—a feat he has consistently achieved every year since 2017.
The match itself was more than just another first-round encounter for Djokovic. Ahead of the contest, he humorously referenced a personal motivation: avenging his younger brothers, Djordje and Marko, who had both previously suffered defeats at the hands of Albot. Speaking to ESPN after the match, Djokovic revealed that this family connection provided an extra edge to his performance.
“Knowing that my brothers had lost to him before definitely added something to this match,” Djokovic said with a smile. “It felt like I was playing for more than just myself out there.”
In the next round, Djokovic will face fellow Serbian Laslo Djere, a player he respects and knows well. Despite the straight-sets victory over Albot, Djokovic’s performance was not without its flaws. He recorded 10 double faults and 40 unforced errors, while his first serve percentage was a modest 47%. These statistics reveal areas of his game that still require fine-tuning as he progresses through the tournament.
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Playing under the closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Djokovic took just 33 minutes to wrap up the first set, breaking Albot’s serve twice with relative ease. However, his frustration was evident throughout the match, as he frequently gestured towards his player’s box. The humid conditions inside the stadium seemed to exacerbate his discomfort, and Djokovic was also seen wearing knee support, a reminder of the surgery he underwent earlier this year.
Albot, ranked 138th in the world, managed to briefly unsettle Djokovic by breaking his serve early in the second set. The Moldovan leveled the score at 2-2, but Djokovic responded by winning the next four games in a row to take the set 6-2. In the third set, Albot showed greater resilience, fending off five break points. However, Djokovic eventually broke through at 3-3 and went on to secure the set and the match, just as the clock struck midnight in New York.
Following his victory, Djokovic expressed mixed feelings about the late finish. While he enjoys playing under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the late hour was a challenge. “I love the night sessions here, but maybe not quite this late,” he quipped during his on-court interview.
The win also allowed Djokovic to achieve another milestone: he now holds the record for the most wins (78) by a male player on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the US Open’s main show court. “This is the biggest and definitely the loudest stadium in our sport’s history,” Djokovic remarked. “The night sessions here are unique, and they bring out something special in every player.”
As Djokovic moves forward in the tournament, his focus will be on ironing out the inconsistencies that appeared during his first-round match. With each win, he edges closer to a historic 25th Grand Slam title, a milestone that would further solidify his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
While Djokovic’s journey in this year’s US Open is just beginning, the pressure is on as he seeks to continue his remarkable legacy in the sport. His next challenge against Djere will be another step in what could be a defining tournament in his illustrious career. With the record within reach, all eyes will be on Djokovic as he navigates the path to what could be an unprecedented 25th major title.
