Novak Djokovic doesn’t need to win another Grand Slam title to be the GOAT
Novak Djokovic made his debut at the 2024 US Open beating Moldavian veteran Radu Albot in three sets on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. The former world number 1 did not express his best tennis in his first match on the hard court after many months, but he made a difference at decisive moments and never took any risks.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has high expectations after winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, a triumph that has revived his ambitions after a disappointing first part of the season. The Serbian champion has not yet won an ATP title this year, a further indication of the difficulties he has had to face in recent months. The 37-year-old from Belgrade underwent knee surgery during the French Open but reached the final at the Wimbledon Championships, where he was given a real lesson by young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.
Few thought that Nole would win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, on a surface very suitable for Carlitos’ style of play. Djokovic showed an exceptional performance in the final of the Olympic tournament, playing two perfect tiebreaks and preventing the Spaniard from embellishing his fantastic summer (where he won the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships).
Rennae Stubbs on the GOAT debate
Thanks to his victory at the Paris Olympics, Novak Djokovic has won the only title he was missing and strengthened his bid for the ‘GOAT’ title. In the latest edition of her podcast, Rennae Stubbs spoke about Nole’s current status: “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 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.”
The former world number 1 will face his compatriot Laslo Djere in today’s last match. Djere is a dangerous opponent on this surface, since last year he forced Nole to the fifth set right on the Arthur Ashe Stadium. After his win over Albot in the first round, Novak talked about his performance: “I didn’t know, honestly. It’s the biggest stadium, the loudest we have in the history of our sport. The night sessions are incredible on this court. The energy is amazing.
I was lucky to be surrounded by people who shared advice with me very early on. Prevention equals longevity. Stretching, warming up, everything I did back then now pays off. The body is one part, the mental aspect as well, you have to find the balance. I still enjoy the competition, I am very critical of myself, sometimes I feel a lot of frustration, but in the end, this sport has given me so much. Giving 100% on the court is my way of giving back to this sport.”
Nole wants to break the curse
Despite all the successes achieved during his amazing career, Nole still feels a fire inside: “I have to try to win the trophy. I didn’t know it hadn’t happened for so long. I hope that changes this season, that’s the goal. The goal is always to reach the final and fight for the title at every tournament I go to. My mentality doesn’t change. People ask me what I have left to win after already having everything with the gold medal. I still feel the drive, the competitive spirit, I want to continue making history, enjoying on the circuit. I hope to continue inspiring many young people to watch and play tennis. Those are some reasons why I continue.”
Roger Federer was the last player to win the US Open for two consecutive years, before a 16-year-long curse began. Djokovic will do his best to write another page of tennis history. Recently, Russian ace Daniil Medvedev paid tribute to Nole after his triumph at the Paris Olympics: “Amazing. I mean, you know, Novak, Rafa, Roger, we all know they’re amazing. Their Grand Slam records, et cetera. Whenever Novak wins a Grand Slam, you are always — in his age — well, the last one was here in US Open — you are always amazed by what he is doing, what he is continuing to achieve. You are, like, we’re used to it.
Then Olympics for me personally, unfortunately, I didn’t see the match. I was in Montreal, time difference. I think I had a practice or something. But me personally, I thought the way Carlos is going into the match, won Roland Garros, won Wimbledon against Novak, played amazing in Olympics, and I honestly thought he’s going to win.”
