Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis maestro, made a striking return at the US Open on Monday, ensuring his climb back to the zenith of tennis’s global rankings. This resonates significantly given his absence from the 2022 US Open due to refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19, which barred his entry into the United States. The event was not just about Djokovic, however, as other tennis stars such as Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Carlos Alcaraz had notable moments during the tournament.
Djokovic’s Stellar Performance
One could argue that Djokovic is chasing history with every stroke, as he’s on the trail for a record-extending 24th grand slam singles title in New York. And, he didn’t disappoint. The late-night start at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium saw Djokovic put up an impressive show against France’s Alexandre Muller. With scores reading 6-0, 6-2, and 6-3, Djokovic wrapped up the game in an hour and thirty-five minutes.
His victory isn’t just about progressing to the next round; it has greater implications. It assures him of displacing the current US Open champion, Carlos Alcaraz, to regain his world No 1 ranking once the tennis rankings are updated post-tournament.
Djokovic’s performance was reflective of a player who was keen on making up for lost opportunities. The 36-year-old showcased his mastery, with 32 winners, breaking Muller’s serve eight times. It was an uneven contest that culminated at a rather late 12:40 am in New York.
Speaking about his performance and the late start, Djokovic remarked, “I didn’t care if I started after midnight because I was looking forward to this moment for a few years.” For him, playing at the biggest stadium in tennis during the night session was an awaited experience. Expressing satisfaction over his play, he stated, “I think the performance explains how I felt tonight.”
Elsewhere in the Tournament
While Djokovic’s game was undoubtedly the highlight, there were other notable performances and moments that the day witnessed.
In a match that served as a precursor to Djokovic’s game, American teenager Coco Gauff locked horns with Germany’s Laura Siegemund. It was a game that lasted for almost three hours. Gauff, who’s seen by many as a significant challenger to defending champion Swiatek, had to marshal all her resources to clinch a win with scores 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. However, the match wasn’t just about the game. Both players had their share of confrontations with the chair umpire, Marijana Veljovic. Gauff’s contention was primarily around inconsistent enforcement of time violation rules.
Siegemund, the 35-year-old German, didn’t mince words post-match, criticizing the New York crowd for what she perceived as a lack of respect towards her, stating that the crowd didn’t respect the player she is and the quality of tennis she played.
The women’s draw had other significant events. Iga Swiatek, the defending champion and current world No 1 from Poland, needed less than an hour to dispatch Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson. The scoreline of 6-0, 6-1 was reflective of Swiatek’s dominance. She broke Peterson’s serve five times and shot 20 winners. Expressing her contentment, Swiatek stated that she was pleased to start the tournament focused and happy.
The tournament also witnessed some upsets. Maria Sakkari of Greece, the eighth seed, was defeated by Spain’s Rebeka Masarova. Another match saw Kazakhstan’s fourth seed Elena Rybakina easily triumph over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.
Among the returnees, Caroline Wozniacki, a former world No 1, made her first grand slam appearance in over three years. Wozniacki, who recently came out of retirement, defeated Russian qualifier Tatiana Prozorova.
On the men’s side, the path to the finals appeared to ease for Djokovic as fourth seed Holger Rune of Denmark was unexpectedly defeated by Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena. Rune’s error-laden game was capitalized upon by Baena, resulting in a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory.
To sum it up, while Djokovic’s return and performance took center stage, the US Open’s day was filled with thrilling matches, unexpected outcomes, and moments that encapsulated the highs and lows of professional tennis. As the tournament progresses, tennis enthusiasts worldwide await more such riveting encounters.
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