Novak Djokovic continued his remarkable journey at the US Open, reaching the fourth round with a commanding victory over Cameron Norrie. Djokovic, who turns 38 later this year, dazzled with his best-in-the-world shot-making, even while battling back pain that developed during the match. He was leading 5-3 in the first set, serving as the big underdog and playing like it until this injury took hold.
In his on-court interview, Djokovic maintained his characteristic sense of humor, stating, “I’m as young as ever, as strong as ever.” This playful remark sailed along the surface of what he had just revealed as his growing irritation over his deteriorating health. He expressed, “In terms of how I’m feeling, it really goes up and down, to be honest. Yeah, it’s frustrating for me, honestly, that I’m not able to feel 100% always like I have for 20-plus years.”
During the final against Norrie, Djokovic showed off a vintage serving performance, taking 83% of his first-serve points. He equaled his best ever tally by firing down 18 aces in the match. Djokovic described his serving performance as “definitely the best so far,” highlighting its effectiveness against Norrie, whom he has defeated in all seven of their previous meetings.
After losing an early break in the decider, Djokovic quickly settled in and took control. He made the comeback and strung together five-straight wins to win the match. His triumph advanced him deep into the tournament. It was enough for him to pass Roger Federer to become the all-time leader in career wins at hard-court Grand Slam tournaments, amassing a staggering 192 wins. Both players with 69 fourth-round appearances in Grand Slam tournaments Open Era tied for the most.
Looking forward, Djokovic’s next challenge will come from Jan-Lennard Struff in the fourth round on Sunday. And fans and analysts alike can hardly contain their excitement. They’re impatient to see whether Djokovic will, excitingly, build on the historical record he set in 2023 and pursue his 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic’s commitment to maintaining peak physical condition is evident. He dedicates hours daily to care for his body, emphasizing the importance of fitness at this stage in his career. His success against those physical odds, doing all of this while performing at the top level of the sport, is a testament to his character and perseverance.
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