It’s hard to believe it’s been 16 years since Novak Djokovic made his debut at the US Open. Since then, he’s produced unforgettable moments at Flushing Meadows, with the most memorable potentially coming this weekend, as he goes for the Grand Slam.
Here are the top 10 Novak Djokovic matches in his career at the US Open:
2005 US Open First Round: Djokovic vs. Monfils
Djokovic’s first-ever main-draw match at the US Open came against the French showman @GaelGael Monfils. Both players were 18 years old, playing on the outer courts at Flushing Meadows. As the match went on, the crowd grew larger. They were witnessing long rallies and sensational shots from both players, foreshadowing the years ahead. Despite being physically winded, Djokovic survived the four-hour marathon, winning in five sets, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 0-6, 7-5, to record his first US Open main draw win.
2007 US Open Quarterfinal: Djokovic vs. Moya
By 2007, Djokovic began to advance to the second week of more Grand Slams. His quarterfinal win against 1998 French Open champion Carlos Moya, 6-4, 7-6 (7), 6-1, demonstrated Djokovic’s ability to beat former Grand Slam champions. But the most memorable moment took place after the match. With the crowd wanting more entertainment, Djokovic began imitating Maria Sharapova's and Rafael Nadal’s serves. With the fans laughing and cheering, it earned him the nickname “the Djoker.”
2007 US Open Semifinal: Djokovic vs. Ferrer
Before 2007, Djokovic had not reached a Grand Slam final. He made back-to-back semifinals at the French Open and Wimbledon prior to the US Open. With Djokovic making his third straight semifinal at the 2007 US Open, he took on the pesky David Ferrer. Both players looked to advance to their first Grand Slam final. However, this was Djokovic’s time, cruising to a dominant 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 win over Ferrer. Winning with an approach drop shot, Djokovic dropped to his knees, knowing he finally made it to a Grand Slam final in just his 12th attempt.
2010 US Open First Round: Djokovic vs. Troicki
Djokovic won his first Grand Slam at the 2008 Australian Open, but between January 2008 and September 2010, he didn’t make a Grand Slam final. There were questions about his fitness, particularly whether he could outlast his opponent in a five-set, physical match. Djokovic faced a tremendous challenge in his opening-round match at the 2010 US Open. In addition to battling compatriot Viktor Troicki, Djokovic faced tough conditions, with temperatures over 100 degrees at one point on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Troicki lost the first set, but then raised his game and took sets two and three, and went up a break at 3-1 in the fourth. Then Djokovic came roaring back to win the fourth set. In a roller-coaster fifth set, with both players exchanging breaks, Djokovic prevailed, showcasing his physicality and stamina. Final score: 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3.
2010 US Open Semifinal: Djokovic vs. Federer
Prior to 2010, Roger Federer had Djokovic’s number in Grand Slams. The two met in the 2007 US Open final, which Federer won in straight sets. Then, in 2009, Federer dominated Djokovic in the semifinals, showcasing his memorable between-the-legs winner. But 2010 represented the beginning of a shift in the Djokovic-Federer rivalry. Their semifinal at the US Open, which started in the blazing afternoon sun, went until the early evening. Federer and Djokovic each traded sets, both serving well and playing long rallies. In the fifth set, with Djokovic serving at 4-5, Federer had two match points. At 15-40, on a second serve, Djokovic fired a forehand crosscourt winner. Then, Djokovic painted the line with a forehand winner. The Serb held serve to go to 5-5, then immediately broke Federer the next game to go up 6-5. Djokovic needed to save a break point, but ultimately closed out the match, 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5. While Djokovic lost in the final to Nadal in four sets, it signalled to the tennis world that he was indeed closing the gap between the two all-time greats.
2011 US Open Semifinal: Djokovic vs. Federer
One year after their five-set thriller in 2010, Djokovic and Federer met again at the 2011 US Open semifinal. This time, Federer won the first two sets 7-6 (7), 6-4. However, Djokovic didn’t seem to be bothered about being down two sets, as he clawed his way back, winning the third and fourth 6-3, 6-2. The fifth set emulated what had happened the year before. Federer broke Djokovic to take a 5-3 lead. Serving for the match, Federer had two match points. At 15-40, Djokovic fired one of the most memorable forehand return winners in US Open history. He saved the next match point, before going on to win the fifth set 7-5. It marked back-to-back years where Federer had chances to win, but Djokovic fought back, demonstrating his ability to make clutch shots at the biggest moments.
2011 US Open Final: Djokovic vs. Nadal
Rafael Nadal beat Djokovic to win the career Grand Slam at the 2010 US Open. In 2011, it was Djokovic who had Nadal’s number. The Serb had defeated Nadal at Wimbledon to capture his first title at the All England Club. Then he followed it up at the US Open, with a four-set win, 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-1. This was one of several meetings between Djokovic and Nadal over the years. It highlighted Djokovic’s defense, court coverage and power from the baseline. Nadal made things interesting with a third-set tiebreaker win. But Djokovic prevailed in the fourth, hoisting his third Grand Slam trophy in a banner 2011 season.
2013 US Open Semifinal: Djokovic vs. Wawrinka
When Djokovic faced Stanislas Wawrinka on hard courts, it would never disappoint. The 2013 US Open semifinal was no different. Djokovic, the No. 1 seed at the US Open, was in peak form, showcasing his complete arsenal of shots. Wawrinka, however, absorbed Djokovic’s power and delivered some of his own, most notably his terrific one-handed backhand. Wawrinka was up two sets to one but Djokovic found a way, relying on his physical conditioning to survive in five sets, 2-6, 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
2015 US Open Final: Djokovic vs. Federer
Djokovic’s second major as part of the “Nole Slam” came at the 2015 US Open. The Serb already beaten Federer at Wimbledon earlier that summer, so the stage was set for a rematch at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It was one of Djokovic’s cleanest tournaments to the final, dropping only two sets. In the final, Federer had 23 chances to break in the match, but only converted on four opportunities, in large part due to Djokovic's defensive play and his efficient serving on the big points. Djokovic prevailed in four sets, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. The US Open title gave him his third Grand Slam in 2015, en route to holding all four majors at the same time (over two years).
2018 US Open Final: Djokovic vs. Del Potro
It’s hard to think that Djokovic was once the sixth seed at the US Open in 2018. He came into the US Open after winning Wimbledon, looking to win his 14th Grand Slam title. Meeting Djokovic in the final was 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro. The Argentine ascended to third in the world, coming back from several injuries that plagued him throughout his career. Despite del Potro possessing one of the most powerful forehands in the history of tennis, it was no match for Djokovic. The Serb relied on his defense, getting to every ball and matching del Potro’s power with deep shots of his own. The second-set tiebreaker was del Potro’s best chance to grab a set, but Djokovic didn’t let him, winning it 7-4. Djokovic’s 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory gave him his third US Open title and once again solidified his standing as the best player on tour.
Watch: What makes Djokovic elite?
