On paper, Novak Djokovic has confirmed to be the most productive males’s tennis participant of all time.
The 36-year-old Serbian has a record-breaking 23 Grand Slams beneath his belt together with 95 singles titles.
He has been ranked international No. 1 for a list general of 389 weeks in 12 other years. He may be the one guy to succeed in a triple Career Grand Slam in singles by way of successful every of the 4 majors at least thrice
Now Djokovic returns to New York, in search of his fourth U.S. Open singles identify. But what nonetheless motivates the extremely completed father of 2?
The resolution is modest: Matches towards gamers like international No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz — the emerging big name who has taken the tennis international by way of typhoon.
The two match favorites have a head-to-head list of 2-2 with Djokovic successful the ultimate fit up — a grueling three-setter — every week in the past in Cincinnati.
“Those are kind of the moments in matches that I still push myself on a daily basis for day in and day out, practice, sacrifice, commitment,” Djokovic stated at U.S. Open media day on Friday. “At 36, still have the drive.”
Alcaraz received the showdown earlier than between the 2 stars in the general of 2023 Wimbledon.
“I love competition,” the tennis legend added. “I believe the extra you end up in the ones specific cases the place you might be experiencing adversity at the court docket, the place issues aren’t perhaps transferring the appropriate approach for you in phrases of the efficiency of that day, in phrases of tennis, or mentally you might be no longer feeling your absolute best, that is in most cases the most productive conceivable alternative so that you can develop mentally from that, to be told one thing. Normally in the face of adversity is the place you be told essentially the most.
“So that’s kind of my mentality in these kind of matches, really trying to not accept defeat as an option, and really give it all, really give it all.”
Djokovic returns to the U.S. Open after lacking the development ultimate yr because of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Regulations as he’s unvaccinated towards COVID-19.
The Serbian has no longer received a U.S. Open singles identify since 2018. He has received the 3 different Majors in the previous yr.
“I don’t know how many more slams I’ll have. I’ll still keep going,” Djokovic admitted. I wouldn’t have an finish in my thoughts at the instant. I additionally needless to say issues are other when you are 36, so I should be extra appreciative, a bit of extra I suppose provide, treating each and every Grand Slam as perhaps your ultimate one in phrases of dedication and function.”
Djokovic makes his 2023 U.S. Open debut on Monday towards Alexandre Muller. They observe Coco Gauff-Laura Siegemund slated for 7 p.m. ET on Arthur Ashe Stadium.