Djokovic reached the third round at the 2024 US Open

Novak Djokovic reached the third round at the 2024 US Open, but it was not an easy match against his compatriot Laslo Djere. After last year’s battle – in which Nole had prevailed in five sets by coming back two sets behind him – Djere put the 24-time Grand Slam champion through much of the match but was less able in the decisive moments. After losing the first two sets, Laslo had to retire due to an injury.

The former world number 1 has been able to celebrate a very valuable victory, as he became the first tennis player in history to have won at least 90 matches in every Grand Slam tournament. The 37-year-old from Belgrade is not yet at the top of his form, being his first tournament on the hard court in many months, but he feels competitive at high levels.

His next opponent will be the Australian Alexei Popryin, who is perhaps playing the best tennis of all his career. The Australian has some very dangerous weapons on this surface and recently won his first Masters 1000 in Montreal. Djokovic and Popryin have already faced each other twice this year, at the Australian Open and the Wimbledon Championships respectively. Novak prevailed on both occasions, but Alexei always managed to put him in trouble.

Djokovic will face Popryin

Novak Djokovic is aware that he must raise his level if he wants to win the 25th Major of his legendary career.

Two very close sets before his opponent’s retirement. It was not an easy second round for Novak Djokovic at the US Open, who also experienced some physical problems between the first and second sets. The Serbian champion had to fight hard and not a bit to pass compatriot Laslo Djere, who gave much to wrangle in the two partial finished with a score of 6-4. Nole updated fans and media at a press conference on her current condition: “I had stomach problems for most of the first two sets, this was reflected in the way I recovered after the points. I was sweating a lot, I had trouble breathing,” he said, revealing how unwell he felt on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. The h*t and sultry weather put a strain on tennis players on Wednesday. The same Serbian athlete who wished Laslo well after his retirement during the third half: “You played great in super difficult conditions. Quick recovery, my friend” he commented on social media.

The World number 2 will now have a precious day of rest to recharge for the next round in New York. As at Wimbledon, Djokovic will face the Australian Alexei Popyrin in a match not to be taken lightly. The road is still long for the Serbian, who wants to reconfirm his title at Flushing Meadows after last year’s triumph.

Nole reflected on his next opponent (Popyrin): “He is a great player, has improved a lot, coming off his first Masters win in Canada. He has always had a great serve and forehand, but his backhand and movement have improved significantly. He is much better at defending, more consistent, doesn’t make as many errors as before. I know what to expect. We have played a couple of times, so I’ll do my homework, analyze those matches to see what I need to do.”

Nole must serve better

The Serbian legend has admitted that it is not serving well for now: “I haven’t served too well in my first two matches here; I’m still trying to find the rhythm and timing with my serve. If you don’t have a good first-serve percentage, you have to work for points, especially against someone like Djere, who handles baseline play well from both his forehand and backhand. He is a very solid player, likes to attack, but is also comfortable defending.”

The former world number 1 is still motivated to compete for the most prestigious titles, despite his puzzle being completed after the extraordinary triumph at the Paris Olympics earlier this month. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has fulfilled all his dreams and has reaffirmed that he is one of the greatest athletes of the modern era.

During the latest edition of her podcast, tennis legend Rennae Stubbs paid tribute to Nole: “Do I think he’s going to be up to win the US Open? Absolutely. Because that’s the one record that he still doesn’t have. I tend to think that’s dumb — I don’t think he needs to win another Grand Slam to say, I’m truly the greatest male or female player. He has one thing left and that is the ultimate Grand Slam major record at 25. Because we’ve got the old, you know, move the goalpost Margaret Court at 24, who won like 10 Australian Opens when nobody played. But he wants that record.”