There are many questions surrounding Novak Djokovic ahead of the US Open this year.
Djokovic lost to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals this year, admitting that he felt physically fatigued in the latter stages of Grand Slams at this stage of his career.
This has created many questions, with some people including Nick Kyrgios predicting Djokovic to retire soon.
The next Grand Slam tournament is the US Open, where Djokovic won his 24th major title.
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty ImagesSteve Flink says what could happen to Novak Djokovic at the US Open
Steve Flink is an American sports journalist who was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2017.
When discussing the US Open on Gill Gross’s YouTube channel, Flink referred to Andy Roddick’s recent comments on Djokovic before suggesting that a relatively early exit in New York could trigger a retirement decision.
Flink also criticised the conversation surrounding Djokovic trying to go ahead of Margaret Court as the player with the most Grand Slam singles titles.
PlayerGrand Slam titles in the Open EraNovak Djokovic24Serena Williams23Rafael Nadal & Steffi Graf22Roger Federer20Chris Evert & Martina Navratilova18
Court also won 24 majors, but 13 of those came before the Open Era when tennis was less internationally competitive.
“It’s going to be fascinating to see what he can summon for the US Open,” Flink said about Djokovic. “I heard Andy Roddick talking and his point was basically people shouldn’t be telling him that if he loses in the round of 16 that’s not okay, and how many people get to the round of 16. Projecting forward, maybe, I think was what he was trying to do.
“I think Novak can accept these last three, he’s a little disappointed but proud to be in the semifinals. I think if he came to New York and didn’t go that far and had a surprising loss in the round of 16 then I think he might think seriously to say there is no point. How is this going to get better next year? I am going to turn 39, why would my body react better?
“He started that press conference by saying that he believes he is as professional as anybody out there. He defied anybody to find someone who works harder or trains with such purpose as him and I don’t think anybody would argue that point.
“But I think he has some standards and what I also don’t understand is this quest for 25, it’s perfectly understandable, you break the tie with Margaret Court. But that’s a false argument, it’s a phony target. Not from him but from the networks in a way, because they constantly put this photo up alongside Margaret.
“You are not competing against Margaret Court, she is not even in the conversation for the greatest women’s tennis player of all time. Not even close. All the experts would put Martina [Navratilova], Steffi [Graf], Serena [Williams] and Chrissy [Evert] ahead of Margaret.
“She won a lot of cheap Australian Opens, and I don’t want to knock her, but there were a lot of those fields which were really quite weak because a lot of times in those years – the Billie Jean’s [King] and Maria Buenos wouldn’t go over there and she could waltz through those draws in the way she could never do at Roland Garros, Wimbledon or the US.
“My point is that I think if Novak would just reflect a little bit and realise the record he was always chasing was to beat Rafa [Nadal] and Roger [Federer] and be the male leader and then suddenly it became a different discussion about how he has surpassed them but could he surpass Margaret Court?
“I think he could live very easily with some reflection and introspection and say to himself you know what does that really change things for me historically?
“The 100th title was worth it, it’s a milestone, I thought it was worth the effort and I thought it was a big relief to win Geneva and get that out the way, but I honestly don’t think he needs that 25th. I don’t think that will change anything in terms of the historian’s perception over where he belongs in the all time ladder.”
What happened to Novak Djokovic at the US Open last year?
According to Flink’s analysis, Djokovic could be facing retirement if what happened at the US Open last year occurs again at this year’s tournament.
Last year, Djokovic lost to Alexei Popyrin in a shock third round exit at the New York major.
Djokovic had won Olympic gold in Paris in his last tournament before the US Open last year, and suggested that this could have played a part in his below par performance at Flushing Meadows.
“I don’t know. Maybe, maybe. But it’s a different surface. I mean, obviously it had an effect,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference. “I spent a lot of energy winning the gold, and I did arrive to New York just not feeling fresh mentally and physically.
“But because it’s US Open, you know, I gave it a shot and I tried my best. I mean, I didn’t have any physical issues. I just felt out of gas, you know, and you could see that with the way I played.
“Just from the very beginning, from the first match, I just didn’t find myself at all on this court. It’s all I can say, you know. You know, life moves on. I mean, yeah, just try and recalibrate and look for what’s next.”
It is unclear whether the Serbian will play any tournaments ahead of the US Open this year, with Djokovic already withdrawing from the Canadian Open.