World No. 1 in two-track pursuit of men's tennis history at Flushing Meadows
NEW YORK: Novak Djokovic is the story. The world No.1, looking to give the calendar Slam new polish at the US Open, is aiming to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to finish on top in tennis' compelling medley of Grand Slams.
In a season where he has pushed like never before, Djokovic is striking to break away from the trinity of 20-time major winners that includes Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Last month, the 34-year-old arrived in Tokyo eyeing the Golden Slam. A combination of Alexander Zverev's imperious form, his own sagging energy levels and a creaking shoulder saw him leave the Tokyo Games without a medal.
Djokovic, who'll play Danish teenager Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune in the first round at the Arthur Ashe stadium on Tuesday evening, didn't play the Cincinnati Masters, he used the time to reset. The Serb is in the same half of the draw as his Tokyo-conqueror Zverev and Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini. The other front runners among the new guard of pros - the second-seeded Daniil Medvedev and Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, are in the bottom half.
"I'm very inspired to play my best tennis here," said Djokovic, who has claimed three titles from seven finals at this venue. "I don't want to say it's now or never for me because I think I'm going to have more opportunities in my life to win Slams."
"I don't know if I'm going to have more opportunities to win calendar Slams, but I don't need to put any additional pressure on myself," the world No.1 said before countering his own play. "Pressure is a privilege. This is what you work for all your life, to put yourself in a unique position to win Grand Slams and to make history. At the end of the day I'm a big tennis fan, a fan of history."
A better student than fan of the sport, his friend and rival Briton Andy Murray, who hit with him on Friday, argued. "If you look at his game over the years, the things he has improved, he's turned himself into a complete player. He plays great on all surfaces. He has an underrated serve, he's the best returner of all time," Murray said. "His movement is something that stands him out. He had unbelievable flexibility, was able to defend the corners extremely well, which is a bit different to Roger and Rafa. He can slide into his backhand like even on hard courts, he shrinks the court that way."
While much has been said of Djokovic's mental fortitude, it is also where he has fumbled when least expected, like in Tokyo. Unravelling in the bronze medal play-off against Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta, against who, he was also defaulted from the US Open last year when he inadvertently struck a lineswoman with a ball. This time, in New York, Djokovic will aim to mind the edges, even as he seeks it in his play.
