Djokovic started practicing for the 2024 US Open

© Matthew Stockman / Staff Getty Images Sport

Novak Djokovic did not participate in the Masters 1000 of Montreal and Cincinnati, which precede the US Open. The last Grand Slam of the season will start in less than ten days in New York and the Serbian must defend his title won last year, when he defeated the Russian Daniil Medvedev in the final.

Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics© Matthew Stockman / Staff – Getty Images Sport

The former world number 1 has not yet won an ATP title this year and will have only the US Open to finish the season without having won even a Slam. The 37-year-old from Belgrade had a tough time in early 2024, but he made his dream come true by winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics with an outstanding performance against Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion was considered a clear underdog on the eve of the match, but he showed his best in the most important moment. Novak has completed the puzzle, but he still doesn’t want to retire and is motivated to train hard to win other great titles.

Djokovic will be one of the main favorites for victory in New York if he plays at the same level expressed during the Olympics in Paris, but there are many opponents and they want to dethrone him at all costs. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will be the most formidable opponents at Flushing Meadows, not forgetting Medvedev and Zverev.

Nole is very generous

Novak Djokovic is a legend of modern sport and has always been very generous throughout his career.

Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics© Clive Brunskill / Staff – Getty Images Sport

The Serbian ace spent a few days in Montenegro before starting training again. In a recent interview, the Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajić revealed that Nole made him a promise: ”Novak is ready to provide us with free expert help in creating systemic support for sport in Montenegro. Through the development of new legal solutions, we finally want to support our young people in the right way and ensure that athletes have optimal working conditions. We will be much better prepared for the 2028 Olympic Games!” It’s not the first time that Novak has shown himself to be a very generous and kind person outside of the tennis court.

During the latest edition of his podcast, ATP legend Jimmy Connors reflected on Djokovic’s win in Paris: “Probably this gold medal is as important to him as his first Wimbledon or US Open because he’s done the others, you know, he’s won every Grand Slam and many other tournaments. But winning the gold medal, for him, it’s like the icing on the cake. Age is something that you can never beat and as much you try to fight it and as much as you try to figure out a way with your diet or with your training or whatever, numbers count in that.”

The former world number 1 has had the ability to continue working hard despite all the successes achieved during his career. Nole is a source of inspiration for young athletes in all sports. Recently, ATP legend Andre Agassi created his perfect player and he selected Djokovic’s mentality: “Without question, I go Novak. I mean, actually out of all the questions you asked, the serve and the mental is the clearest to define.

No, when Novak makes up his mind that he’s going to lock down, or when he makes up his mind that he’s sick and tired of this match being played on your terms, and he’s gonna go up a level — you see him use his speed defensively, locked down mentally, epically, and then you see him recognise when the tone of that match needs to to change. So somebody being able to recognise those nuances and intimacies is a beautiful thing and I don’t think anybody’s ever done it better than him.”

Djokovic always finds new goals

Many fans and insiders are wondering what the next goals of Nole will be. The 37-year-old from Belgrade no longer seems interested in returning to number 1 in the world, in fact he missed the Masters 1000 in Montreal and Cincinnati to rest. The 24-time Grand Slam champion may be looking to win his 25th Major to write a new page of history.

Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics© Matthew Stockman / Staff – Getty Images Sport

Speaking with Tennis Majors a few days ago, Goran Ivanisevic paid tribute to the Serbian legend: “It’s incredible, it was written somewhere that it had to happen this way. It’s his first trophy this season, an Olympic gold. Besides, this scenario is the best, the sweetest. He had an injury, surgery, and a bad final at Wimbledon, but on Sunday, we saw what will and desire can make you do. When Novak plays as he can, he is the best in the world, no one can match him.”

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Source: The Wall Street Journal