Novak Djokovic hits US Open practice court while chasing history

The 20-time Major winner Novak Djokovic will chase history at the upcoming US Open, seeking the first calendar Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969. Novak has won all three Major titles in 2021 and will try to top the charts for the first time and move in front of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Following the Tokyo Olympics debacle, Novak went to Montenegro and spent a couple of great weeks there, enjoying with his family and friends, Viktor Troicki and Janko Tipsarevic. Following a short stop in Marbella, the Serb flew to New York and hit the practice court ahead of his main rivals, who had a busy weekend after reaching the Cincinnati semi-final. Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev should be Novak's most formidable opponents in New York, all trying to spoil his party and grab the first Major crown.

Djokovic gave his best to recover in time for the Olympic Games after Wimbledon, playing well until the semi-final and suffering tough losses to Alexander Zverev and Pablo Carreno Busta to leave Japan empty-handed, just like the previous two Olympics. Novak skipped Toronto and Cincinnati and recharged batteries ahead of one of the most important tournaments of his glorious career. Djokovic is yet to lose a Major match in 2021, becoming the first player who conquered the season's opening three Majors since Rod Laver in 1969!

Novak Djokovic will seek the 21st Major title at the US Open.

After tight triumphs over the young guns Denis Shapovalov and Alexander Zverev at the ATP Cup in Melbourne, Novak secured the ninth Australian Open title despite an abdominal injury in the third round against Taylor Fritz. The Serb took down Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in the title clash and stayed away from the court for two months before continuing the season in Monte Carlo.

Daniel Evans stunned Novak in the third round, and the Serb lost in the semis a week later at home in Belgrade to Aslan Karatsev after an epic battle. Nadal defeated Novak in the Rome final, and Djokovic went on to win the next three tournaments and continue his brilliant run at Majors. He secured the second Roland Garros crown to move closer to Federer and Nadal and traveled to London as the top favorite at the All England Club. Proving his status of the player to beat, Novak clinched the sixth Wimbledon trophy after losing two sets in seven encounters. Playing above his rivals, Djokovic toppled Denis Shapovalov and Matteo Berrettini from the semi-final round to celebrate the 20th Major trophy and match Rafael Nadal's and Roger Federer's record. Novak will have an extra motive to produce his best tennis in New York after getting defaulted at the last year's US Open for the first time in a career.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/386WCgj