In 2008, Novak Djokovic broke in. When he won the Australian Open that year, he snapped Roger Federer’s and Rafael Nadal’s streak of 11 straight majors.
In 2011, Djokovic broke through when he reached No. 1 for the first time.
Now, in 2024, Djokovic could break an all-time record. If the 37-year-old Serb wins this year’s US Open, he would finally move past his tie with Margaret Court to claim an unprecedented 25th major title.
As the 2023 US Open champion, Djokovic could also become the first man in 16 years to successfully defend his singles title at Flushing Meadows.
“I didn't know it was that long,” Djokovic said. The last man to do it was Roger Federer, who won five US Opens in a row, from 2004-2008.
“Hopefully that changes this year,” Djokovic said. “I mean, that's the goal. The goal is always to try to go all the way to the finals and fight for the trophy. That mindset is no different this year.”
When Djokovic plays his first-round match on Monday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium, it will mark his 18th appearance at the US Open, dating back to 2005. But he first encountered New York at a junior event in 2003.
“We play[ed] indoors because it was raining,” he recalled. “We had to travel by bus to a different facility. But, soon after, I played my first main draw as a professional.”
In his pro debut at the US Open, the 18-year-old Djokovic ultimately lost in the third round, dropping a five-setter to Fernando Verdasco of Spain, but he still remembered his first two opponents, nearly two decades later, at Saturday’s press conference.
“I had a couple of great matches – and some marathon matches – with Gael Monfils and Mario Ancic,” he said. “It was amazing to be part of the Grand Slam and play on the outside courts – very different to the stadium court. I remember the first time I played at the Ashe Stadium. It was overwhelming. So it's been quite a journey.”
Djokovic went on to become a four-time US Open champion (a six-time runner-up), and win 10 Australian Opens, three French Opens, and seven Wimbledons.
And even if Djokovic says his mindset is the same as in past years, the 2024 US Open will have a decidedly different feel.
He won his only title of the year just four weeks ago, at the Olympics (on clay), and the US Open begins less than 12 weeks after he tore the meniscus in his right knee, an injury that forced him to withdraw from his French Open quarterfinal.
Yet the No. 2 seed is as motivated as ever—and still riding his gold-medal high.
On Saturday, he said that winning the gold medal in his fifth Olympics was “the greatest achievement and greatest highlight of my career.” In Paris, he thought, “At 37, could this be the last chance?’ Maybe. So I had to push more than ever.”
So when Djokovic avenged his loss in the 2024 Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz by beating the Spaniard in the Olympic final, 7-6(3), 7-6(2), in front of his wife (Jelena), son (Stefan), daughter (Tara), and all of Serbia watching, Djokovic said, “it was kind of a dream scenario. Probably the most intense emotions I have ever had on a tennis court.”
Prior to that moment, Djokovic had considered the honor of being Serbia’s flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 London Olympics as “the best feeling in my professional career, surpass[ing] every Slam that I won.” That is, he said, “until I won the gold medal.”
Now, Djokovic said, “People ask me, ‘Now that you have basically won everything with the golden medal, what else is there to win?’ I still feel the drive. I still have the competitive spirit. I still want to make more history. I still hope to inspire many young people to watch tennis, play tennis.”
He will open his US Open run this year against the Moldovan qualifier, Radu Albot, in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night.
“I can't wait to be under the lights,” he said. “The noise, the energy of the stadium is just different from anything else. I look forward to it.”
