US Open | Novak Djokovic seeks 25th Grand Slam title

(New York) As important as it was for Novak Djokovic to finally win an Olympic gold medal — after 24 major trophies, 99 titles, most weeks at No. 1 and so on — don’t think he’s sated now, heading into the U.S. Open.

“People ask me, ‘Since you’ve won almost everything with the gold, what do you have left to win?’ I’m still motivated. I still have the competitive spirit,” the 37-year-old Serbian said Saturday. “I want to add more titles and have fun playing.”

Play begins Monday at Flushing Meadows, when second-seeded Djokovic will face 138-ranked Radu Albot that evening.^e in the world, at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Djokovic has another chance to make it 25^e major title, a total that no man or woman has achieved in tennis.

As the defending champion, Djokovic can also become the first man to win at least two consecutive titles in New York since Roger Federer won five in a row, from 2004 to 2008.

“I didn’t know he had such a long reign,” Djokovic said.

This consistency in purpose is what has led him to all these exploits.

Djokovic has been crowned four times in the Big Apple (in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023).

“You have to have a much better base level than everyone else. It shows how much better someone is than everyone else, because there are so many players just trying to get one [titre majeur]said American Taylor Fritz, seeded No. 12.

“It’s incredible. And obviously the discipline throughout the year, never being satisfied and always wanting more. That too is extremely impressive in itself.”

Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz in two breaks in the title match at the Paris Olympics.

The way Djokovic reacted that day — on his knees, shaking, crying — and the way he spoke about it Saturday left no doubt about the importance of this victory.

“It was just a very proud moment to have the gold medal around my neck, with the Serbian anthem and the Serbian flag,” he said. “Very, very special. Probably the most intense emotions I’ve felt on a tennis court.”