Aug 23 (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic has finally won an Olympic gold medal in Paris, completing the Golden Slam of his career, but the Serb is in danger of missing a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since 2017 as he prepares to defend his US Open title.
Djokovic, who will once again challenge for a record 25th Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows, has been overshadowed by his younger rivals this season, losing to Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the Australian Open and to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of Wimbledon.
The 37-year-old withdrew from his quarterfinals at the French Open due to a knee injury.
The last time Djokovic played all four majors in a season without winning one was 14 years ago, but his recent form suggests he is back to his best after the Serb defeated French Open champion Alcaraz in the final of the Paris Games at Roland Garros.
Djokovic has since withdrawn from the US Open preparatory tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati to recharge his batteries before attempting to overtake Margaret Court and break the all-time Grand Slam singles record.
“I think he can find the motivation, the gold medal will inspire him. If he plays like that, he is the man to beat at the US Open,” said Djokovic’s former coach Goran Ivanisevic.
“I’m so happy he finally won Olympic gold. I wish him a 25th Grand Slam, that he breaks the absolute record, and then he can retire, although he will never retire.”
Slightly undercooked
Alcaraz arrives in New York with a slight weakness for the hard court and hopes to make up for Friday’s crushing loss in the second round in Cincinnati to French veteran Gael Monfils.
“For me it was the worst game of my career,” said Alcaraz about the 4:6, 7:6(5), 6:4 defeat.
“It’s really difficult to take anything good out of this game. I want to forget it and try to move on to New York.”
Also standing in Djokovic’s way is 23-year-old world number one Sinner, who won his first major title earlier this season after dethroning the Serb at the Australian Open.
The Italian missed the Olympics due to tonsillitis and struggled with persistent hip problems, but peaked in time for the US Open from August 26 to September 8 by winning the crown in Cincinnati.
“I’m happy to be in the position I’m in. I’m just trying to keep going mentally, have that hunger, keep playing and hopefully I can show some good tennis in New York,” Sinner said.
“It’s important to recover and be ready for New York. That’s our main goal for this US tour.”
Sinner comes into the US Open amid controversy after failing two doping tests in March. However, an independent court cleared him of any wrongdoing after accepting his explanation that an anabolic steroid was introduced into his system by a member of his support team through massages and sports therapy.
World number four Alexander Zverev will continue his bid to win his first major title, as will sixth-ranked Andrey Rublev and eighth-ranked Casper Ruud.
Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 champion, must overcome a period of poor form if he is to take on a challenge.
A group of American men, including Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe and Sebastian Korda, will attempt to end the country’s 21-year Grand Slam drought since Andy Roddick’s triumph at his home major.
“All the Americans are playing really great tennis right now,” said Korda, who won the title in Washington. “Hopefully we can make a big push in the upcoming Grand Slam soon.”
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Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford
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