Novak
Djokovic confirmed that he is dealing with physical issues ahead of the
US Open
but clarified that “it’s nothing serious in the wider context.” The 24-time
Grand Slam champion will begin his title defense at Flushing Meadows on Monday
against Moldovan
Radu Albot (No. 138).
On Friday
morning, Djokovic trained for about an hour with
Holger Rune on an outside
court and was then supposed to continue on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
However, he didn’t make it to the court, even though members of his team
brought Nole’s racquets, as he received treatment after the first session.
Djokovic shrugs off injury concerns
The
37-year-old has practiced normally on Saturday and Sunday. In an interview with
Serbian media, the world No. 2 provided an update on his physical condition:
“On Friday, I practised for an hour on the outside courts, and then I had some
issues, so I didn’t practise any further at Arthur Ashe,” said the world No. 2.
“Today (on
Saturday), it wasn’t much of an issue, so I practised with [Stan] Wawrinka both
on the outside court and on Ashe, where we get an hour per day. So far,
everything is fine, it’s nothing serious in the wider context,” he added. “I’m
not in my twenties anymore, I can’t chase the tournaments that are not an
absolute priority,” Djokovic explained. “As you guys know, those are Slams,
Davis Cup, and the Olympics."
“Those
inspire me to compete, but I also enjoy the process of practice, of building up
your form, body, and mind for the biggest challenges, such as this one in New
York,” the 5-time US Open champion added. “It would probably be better if I had
a few matches under my belt, but that was the calendar this year, the Games
were the priority.”
Novak Djokovic at 2023 US Open.
“I came to
New York on Tuesday, practising every day and raising my level, although, I
must admit, I am jet-lagged more than usual. I don’t know what’s going on, it’s
like a part of me stayed in Europe.”
Nonetheless,
the Serbian commented that once he begins his participation in the tournament,
he will undoubtedly leave everything behind and take to the court with his
usual competitive spirit: “I know that, when a tournament this big starts, I
have a mode inside me that is different – when the ball starts rolling, when it
starts, I am just a different competitor,” Djokovic said. “I hope that the
first match will go well, that’s always desirable, and then we’ll take it from
there.”