A 22-time Major champion Novak Djokovic is getting better news daily! Novak will be able to compete at the US Open in August and September, returning to the season’s last Major after missing it last year. The American government announced they would extend their emergency Covid measures to May 11 before scrapping them entirely. That means that Novak can not play in Indian Wells and Miami, although his main target has always been the US Open. Last year, Novak missed two Major events for the first time in a career, skipping the Australian Open and the US Open due to his vaccination status. It’s all different in 2023, and the Serb has already conquered his tenth Australian Open crown, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final in straight sets. Djokovic has been among the players to beat in New York for the past 15 years, advancing into nine finals and lifting three trophies.
Novak Djokovic will compete at this year’s US Open.
Novak’s most recent chance to add the fourth US Open title to his collection came two years ago. He delivered 27 consecutive victories at Majors in 2021 and chased a calendar Grand Slam in the US Open final. Daniil Medvedev stood between Novak and tennis glory. The Serb cracked under pressure and experienced a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 loss, handing the Russian his first Major trophy. Medvedev played bold and aggressive tennis and stayed focused from start to finish to overpower the favorite. Daniil kicked off the duel with an early break and served well to claim the opener 6-4. Novak played better in the second set and created five break chances early on. Medvedev punished Djokovic’s squandered opportunities with a break in game five and held comfortably three times after that to grab the set 6-4 and move closer to the finish line.
Novak lost the ground completely at the start of the third set and experienced a double break to fall 4-0 behind and far away from the trophy. Making one last push, the Serb saved a match point in game eight and reduced the deficit. He scored his first break of the encounter in the next one to extend his chances. Daniil served for the title in game ten and showed no sign of nerves. The Russian sealed the deal with a hold at 30 for the first Major crown at 25. Novak will be among the favorites in New York this year, seeking his first US Open crown since 2018.
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