Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest tennis players of all time and has won a record 24 men’s Grand Slam titles to date. And he still holds massive appeal to his female peers
Novak Djokovic is eyeing his fifth US Open title this year(Image: GETTY)
Novak Djokovic is beloved in the tennis world and will be targeting his fifth U.S. Open crown. Fellow player Marta Kostyuk previously disclosed she dreamed of marrying the Serbian during her childhood.
Djokovic has captured a record 24 men’s Grand Slam championships, two beyond what Rafael Nadal achieved and four more than Roger Federer accumulated. Just one additional victory at a Major would propel the 38-year-old past Margaret Court atop the all-time Grand Slam title rankings.
The seasoned pro is set to face Learner Tien in his first-round clash in New York, with the competition slated to commence on Sunday, although he has sparked injury concerns ahead of the tournament.
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The 23-year-old has been paired against Katie Boulter in her tournament opener, with the British player claiming a three-set epic in San Diego last year during the pair’s sole previous encounter.
Like numerous tennis athletes, Kostyuk idolized Djokovic during her youth. During a post-match press conference in 2018, she revealed: “I loved to watch Novak Djokovic. Until I was nine, I thought he is going to be my husband.”
Kostyuk, currently positioned at No. 29 globally, has experienced a challenging season on court and exited early at the French Open and Wimbledon following her third-round showing at the Australian Open in January.
Her finest Grand Slam showing occurred in Australia last year when she advanced to the quarter-finals before falling to Coco Gauff.
She has performed more successfully in doubles competition, though, and has advanced to the semi-finals of the Australian Open and the French Open previously.
Marta Kostyuk is preparing to face British star Katie Boulter at the US Open(Image: GETTY)
Djokovic ranks as the third favorite to claim the men’s title in New York, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz viewed as the two competitors to defeat.
Speaking before the tournament, the seasoned player revealed: “Obviously I didn’t have any matches since Wimbledon but I’ve put in a lot of training in the last three to four weeks.
“I decided not to play because I wanted to spend more time with my family. And to be honest I think I’ve earned my right and have the luxury of picking and choosing where I want to go and what I want to play. My focus is mostly on the Slams and I’ve said that before.”
Meanwhile, Djokovic is calling for a “third guy” to step up and fill the “Djoker spot” by challenging the world’s top two players. The Serbian superstar has identified Holger Rune and Joao Fonseca as potential future tennis icons.
He said: “”There are players that are able to have that Djoker spot, the third spot. I kind of empathise with the third guy, because I was in those shoes with Federer and Nadal. I want to see a third guy coming in. But it’s fun. Obviously to see these guys play on such a high level is amazing.”