New York: Novak Djokovic admittedly got a bit distracted. Novak Djokovic was unaware of the US Open tennis tournament rule about time allowed between points. He barked in the direction of his entourage – among the only people in the Arthur Ashe Stadium seats. In the end, though, he did what he always does in 2020: win.
“I lost my focus,” Djokovic said afterward. “Kind of got stressed out a couple times. So I screamed,” Djokovic added.
The No. 1-ranked Djokovic began his bid for Grand Slam title No. 18 Monday night. He extended his season start to 24-0 with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 victory over Damir Dzumhur at the Flushing Meadows here.
“Do I want to keep the streak going? Of course, I do. Am I thinking about it as a priority No. 1 every single day? No,” said Djokovic, who opened 2011 with a 41-0 mark. “It’s there, and of course it’s an additional motivation for me. It actually fuels me to play even stronger, better. I think, brings the right intensity every match,” the Serbian added. D
Djokovic played a three-set semifinal Friday, then a three-set final Saturday in another tournament prior to the US Open. But the 48 hours before facing Dzhumur apparently were enough for a full physical recovery.
“I felt good on the court today (Monday),” said Djokovic. He trails only Roger Federer, with 20, and Rafael Nadal, with 19, in the men’s Grand Slam trophy standings. Neither of those rivals is in the US Open, only part of the reason Djokovic is an overwhelming favorite to win the title here. It would be his sixth title in a span of eight major tournaments.
One minor hiccup during his opening match had to do with the way the serve clock is being implemented at the US Open. Chair umpires are starting that 25-second countdown much sooner now than they were during the Western & Southern Open.
Djokovic was not the only player to wonder aloud about that system during a match Monday. Many others were left flabbergasted too.