Serbia’s legendary tennis star
Novak Djokovic has stated
that he is still finding his ‘rhythm and tempo’ despite starting with a win in
the
US Open. The fourth and the final Grand Slam of the year began on Monday
where players are giving their all to secure the ultimate prize.
Djokovic is one of the most high-profile players currently
taking part in the mega-event. The 37-year-old, who is already regarded as the
greatest player in the history of men’s tennis, booked his spot in the third
round of the mega-event after being awarded a walkover in the match against
fellow Serbian Laslo Djere. The score at the time when the match was finally
stopped was 6-4, 6-4, 2-0.
Talking after the match, Djokovic, who has now cemented his
spot in the third round of the mega-event, highlighted how he is still in the
process of finding his ‘rhythm’. The former world number also stated that he
did not serve well in the second-round tie as well which forced him to ‘grind’ throughout
the contest.
"I haven't been serving well in the first two matches
here so I'm still trying to find that rhythm and tempo,” he said. "If you
don't have a good percentage of first serves in you have to work for your
points, particularly against a player like Djere. I knew coming into the match
that if I don't serve well, which was the case, then I'm going to have to
really grind and work for my points a lot. And that's what I guess caused the
two sets to be played over two hours."
Djokovic is now set to face off against Australia’s
Alexei Popyrin
in the next round of the mega-event on Thursday. The 25-year-old booked his place
in the third round after beating Spain’s Pedro Martinez in straight sets with a
score of 6-2, 6-4, 6-0. It will be the fourth meeting between the two in
professional tennis. In the previous three meetings, Djokovic came out on top
in each occasion.